Wedding Invitation Wording: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need

The wedding invitation is the very first impression your guests have of your special day, setting the tone for the formality, style, and overall atmosphere of your celebration. Getting the wording right is crucial, as it clearly communicates essential details while reflecting your personality as a couple. This comprehensive guide provides all the etiquette and modern templates you need to craft the perfect invitation suite, ensuring every detail is clear, correct, and beautifully presented.

Mastering the Basics: Essential Components of an Invitation

Regardless of your wedding’s formality or style, every standard invitation must clearly communicate five critical pieces of information. Missing any one of these details can lead to confusion and unnecessary questions from your guests. Understanding the traditional order and language is the first step toward crafting a flawless invite.

The Five Crucial Elements

A proper wedding invitation must always include:

1. The Host Line: Who is inviting the guests (traditionally the bride’s parents).
2. The Request Line: The specific phrasing requesting the guests’ presence (e.g., “request the honour of your presence”).
3. The Couple’s Names: The names of the couple being married.
4. The Date and Time: The day of the week, the full date, and the time of the ceremony.
5. The Location: The name and address of the ceremony venue.

Expert Quote: “The invitation serves as both a warm welcome and a binding contract. Its wording must be absolutely unambiguous regarding who, what, where, and when. Clarity always takes precedence over cleverness, especially when communicating logistical details,” advises etiquette expert, Diane T. Goodman.

Traditional Wording Templates: Formal and Gracious

Traditional wedding invitation wording is used when the ceremony is held in a church or formal setting and follows classic rules of etiquette. This language is characterized by formal phrasing, full titles, and spelling out all numbers and dates.

When the Bride’s Parents are Hosting

Historically, this is the most common template. The parents’ full names are listed, and the phrasing uses “honour of your presence” (often used when the ceremony is held in a house of worship).

• Host Line: Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Elizabeth Taylor
• Request Line: request the honour of your presence
• Couple’s Names: at the marriage of their daughter
  • Name of Bride
  • to Name of Groom
• Date/Time: on Saturday, the twenty-first of June
  • two thousand twenty-six
  • at half past four in the afternoon
• Location: Saint Michael’s Cathedral
  • Vancouver, British Columbia

When Both Sets of Parents are Hosting (Combined)

When both families contribute to the wedding, it’s polite to acknowledge them all. This can be done by simply listing both sets of parents in the Host Line.

• Host Line: Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
• Request Line: request the pleasure of your company
• Couple’s Names: at the marriage of their children
  • Name of Bride
  • and Name of Groom

The key distinction here is using “pleasure of your company,” which is generally used for ceremonies held in non-religious venues like hotels or estates, or when a slightly less formal tone is desired.

Modern Wording Templates: Casual and Personal

Modern invitations give couples much more flexibility, allowing them to host their own event or use warmer, more inclusive language. These options are ideal for less traditional ceremonies, destination weddings, or celebrations where the couple is financing the event.

When the Couple is Hosting (Most Popular Modern Choice)

When the couple is paying for and organizing the wedding, they should list themselves as the hosts. This template is direct, personal, and very common today.

• Host Line: Together with their families,
• Request Line: Bride’s Name and Groom’s Name
  • invite you to celebrate their marriage
• Date/Time: Saturday, June 21, 2026
  • at 4:30 in the afternoon
• Location: The Fairmont Hotel Ballroom
  • Victoria, British Columbia

Casual and Contemporary Phrasing

For a truly relaxed atmosphere, couples can use simpler phrasing that maintains clarity but lowers the formality level. This is perfect for backyard, beach, or rustic weddings.

• Host Line: Please join
• Request Line: Bride’s Name and Groom’s Name
  • as they say “I Do”
• Date/Time: Saturday, June 21st, 2026
  • at four thirty in the afternoon
• Location: The Old Barn Estate

Expert Quote: “Modern etiquette values sincerity and clarity above rigid rules. If the wording feels genuine to the couple and clearly communicates the logistics, it is correct. The shift from ‘request the honour’ to ‘invite you to celebrate’ reflects a move toward shared joy rather than societal obligation,” advises bridal consultant and author, Victoria Hayes.

Crucial Invitation Details: RSVP and Dress Code

Beyond the main invitation card, the suite often includes supplementary cards that handle logistics. The language on these cards is just as important as the main invite wording.

Wording the RSVP Card

The RSVP card is the most important logistic tool. Its wording must guide guests on how and when to respond, and clarify the names of the invited parties.

• The Response Due Date: Always clearly state the RSVP deadline. Example: Kindly reply by May 1st.
• The Guest Line: Provide a clear space for the guest to fill in their name(s).
  • Traditional: M_________________ (The ‘M’ stands for Mr., Ms., Mrs.)
  • Modern: Name(s)_________________
• Acceptance/Regret: Offer clear options for attendance.
  • Example: $\square$ Joyfully Accepts $\square$ Graciously Declines
• Meal Choice (if necessary): List options clearly. Example: Please select an entrée: $\square$ Beef $\square$ Chicken $\square$ Vegetarian

Communicating Dress Code

The dress code should be included discreetly, usually on a separate enclosure card or the wedding website.

• Formal: Black Tie Optional (Suggesting tuxedos/long gowns are welcome)
• Semi-Formal: Cocktail Attire (A safe, common middle ground)
• Casual: Garden Party Attire (Suggesting comfort while maintaining class)

Final Review: Tips for Perfecting Your Wording

Before sending your invitations to the printer, follow these final steps to ensure perfection. Pay special attention to names and dates, as these are the most common sources of error.

• Proofread Relentlessly: Check names, dates, and times three times, then ask two different people to check again.
• Check Names: Ensure all family names and titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) are spelled correctly.
• Standardize Spelling: Be consistent: either spell out all numbers (three o’clock, two thousand twenty-six) or use all numerals (3:00 PM, 2026). Do not mix styles.
• Set the Tone: Read the entire invitation aloud. Does the tone match the style of your wedding (formal, relaxed, elegant, fun)?

By following this guide, you can create a beautiful and effective invitation suite that seamlessly transitions your guests from receiving the invite to attending your unforgettable celebration.