Wedding Invitation Wording: Examples for Every Style

Wedding invitation wording follows a five-part structure: host line, request line, couple's names, ceremony details, and reception information¹. The host line names who is inviting guests, the request line asks guests to attend, names appear in formal order, ceremony details include date, time, and venue, and reception information follows. This structure works for formal, semi-formal, and casual invitations with minor adjustments to language formality and tone.

The words you choose for your wedding invitations set expectations for your celebration. Traditional wording signals a formal black-tie affair, while casual language suggests a relaxed garden party. Understanding the standard structure and your options for each section helps you create invitations that match your wedding style and properly honor the people involved in your celebration.

Traditional Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

Formal wedding invitation wording uses complete sentences, proper titles, and traditional phrasing that has remained consistent for generations¹. This style suits black-tie weddings, religious ceremonies, and events in historic venues. Every word is spelled out completely with no abbreviations except for titles like Mr., Mrs., and Dr.

The most traditional format follows this structure:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert James Smith request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Anne to Mr. William Charles Brown son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edward Brown Saturday, the fifteenth of June two thousand twenty-six at half after four o'clock St. Mary's Cathedral New York, New York

This wording indicates the bride's parents are hosting. The phrase "honour of your presence" traditionally applies to religious ceremonies held in houses of worship¹. For secular venues, use "pleasure of your company" instead. The bride's name appears without a surname when her parents are hosting, while the groom's full name includes his surname. All dates and times are spelled out completely.

British and Commonwealth formal wording differs slightly in spelling and structure²:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Anne to Mr. William Brown on Saturday 15th June 2026 at half past four o'clock St. Mary's Church, Kensington London

Notice "honour" becomes "honour," dates use cardinal numbers with "th," and location formatting differs. Australian and New Zealand invitations follow similar British conventions².

Semi-Formal and Modern Wedding Wording

Semi-formal wording maintains respect and elegance while allowing more personality and warmth³. This style works for cocktail attire weddings, garden celebrations, and couples who want tradition without excessive formality. You can use contractions, shorter phrases, and warmer language.

A semi-formal example:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Anne to William Charles Brown Saturday, June 15, 2026 4:30 in the afternoon The Botanical Gardens Chicago, Illinois

This version uses "invite you to celebrate" instead of the formal "request the honour," dates appear in standard format, and the overall tone feels more approachable. The structure remains clear and organized while feeling less rigid.

Modern couples often emphasize their relationship and partnership:

Together with their families Elizabeth Smith and William Brown invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows Saturday, June 15, 2026 4:30 PM The Botanical Gardens Chicago, Illinois

This wording places the couple at the center while acknowledging family support. Using "share in their joy" and "exchange vows" adds warmth and focuses on the emotional significance of the ceremony rather than formal language.

Casual and Fun Wedding Invitation Wording

Casual wording suits backyard weddings, beach ceremonies, and couples who want their invitations to reflect their relaxed style³. This approach uses conversational language, humor if appropriate, and often eliminates formal titles entirely. The invitation still conveys all necessary information but feels like a personal note from friends.

A casual example:

Elizabeth Smith & William Brown are getting married! Come celebrate with us Saturday, June 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM Ocean View Beach Club Malibu, California Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow

The ampersand, exclamation points, and direct address create an informal, excited tone. This style works particularly well for second marriages, older couples hosting themselves, and destination weddings where the atmosphere is naturally more relaxed.

For very casual celebrations:

Let's make it official! Elizabeth & Will Saturday, June 15 | 4:30 PM Our backyard (123 Oak Street, Portland) Bring your appetite and dancing shoes

This ultra-casual approach works for intimate gatherings among close friends and family. The conversational tone and direct instructions about what to bring establish expectations for a laid-back celebration.

Wedding Invitation Wording by Host Situation

The host line changes based on who is paying for or organizing the wedding¹. This line traditionally opened the invitation, though modern couples often modify or eliminate it. The host line determines whose names appear first and how family relationships are indicated.

When both sets of parents contribute equally, listing both families shows respect and shared involvement¹. The bride's parents are traditionally listed first, but this is flexible based on family preferences and cultural traditions.

For same-sex weddings, names can appear in alphabetical order by last name or first name, whichever the couple prefers. There are no fixed rules, allowing complete personalization.

Special Family Situations

Divorced parents require thoughtful wording that acknowledges family structure without creating awkwardness¹. The key is treating each parent as a separate entity with their own line. Never connect divorced parents with "and" even if the wedding is amicable.

Divorced parents, mother hosting:

Mrs. Jane Adams requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter

Divorced parents, both included:

Mrs. Jane Adams and Mr. Robert Smith request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter

The mother's name appears first following traditional etiquette, though this can be adjusted based on family dynamics. If a parent has remarried, include the stepparent:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Adams request the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth Anne Smith

Note "her daughter" rather than "their daughter" clarifies the relationship. For families where stepparents have been significantly involved in raising the bride or groom, "their daughter" is also acceptable.

When a parent is deceased, acknowledge them with sensitivity:

Mrs. Jane Smith requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth Anne daughter of the late Mr. Robert Smith

Alternative wording:

Elizabeth Anne Smith daughter of Mrs. Jane Smith and the late Mr. Robert Smith and William Charles Brown son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown request the honour of your presence at their marriage

This format gives both bride and groom equal prominence while acknowledging the deceased parent. The word "late" is traditional and respectful.

For couples who have lost both parents:

Elizabeth Anne Smith and William Charles Brown together with their families invite you to celebrate their marriage

Using "together with their families" includes extended family, siblings, and other important relatives without specifying individual names.

Regional Terminology and Spelling

Wedding invitation language varies by country and region, reflecting local customs and spelling conventions². Understanding these differences helps you create invitations that feel appropriate for your location and guest list.

Australian and New Zealand invitations typically follow British spelling conventions with "honour" while adopting some American structural elements². Canadian invitations often blend both styles, with British spelling and American formatting being equally common.

The phrase "wedding breakfast" in British invitations refers to the first meal after the wedding ceremony, regardless of time of day. This traditional term can confuse international guests, so consider adding clarification or using "reception" for mixed guest lists.

RSVP and Response Card Wording

RSVP information directs guests on how to respond to your invitation. Traditional invitations include separate response cards, while modern invitations often reference a wedding website³. The formality of your RSVP wording should match your invitation style.

Formal response card wording:

The favour of a reply is requested by the fifteenth of May

M_____________________ _____ accepts with pleasure _____ declines with regret

The blank line after "M" allows guests to write their full names with appropriate titles. This very traditional format works for black-tie weddings and formal celebrations.

Semi-formal response card:

Kindly respond by May 15, 2026

Name(s) _____________________ _____ Joyfully accepts _____ Regretfully declines Number of guests _____

This version is clearer for guests while maintaining elegance. Including a line for number of guests helps with final counts.

For website RSVPs:

Kindly respond by May 15, 2026 at www.elizabethandwilliam.com or scan the QR code

Including a QR code on printed invitations bridges traditional and digital approaches. Guests can scan with their phones and respond immediately.

Casual RSVP wording:

Let us know if you can make it! RSVP by May 15 at our website: www.elizabethandwilliam.com

The conversational tone matches casual invitation styles and makes the response process feel easy and welcoming.

For phone or email responses:

Please respond by May 15, 2026 Email: rsvp@elizabethandwilliam.com Phone: 555-0123

This practical approach works well for small weddings where personal contact is preferred. Include one person's contact information to avoid confusion about who receives responses.

Ceremony and Reception Details

The ceremony and reception information lines communicate where and when your wedding takes place¹. Formal invitations spell everything out completely, while casual invitations can use abbreviations and standard formatting. Clarity is essential regardless of style.

For ceremony and reception at the same location:

Saturday, the fifteenth of June two thousand twenty-six at half after four o'clock The Botanical Gardens 123 Garden Way, Chicago, Illinois Reception to follow

The phrase "reception to follow" indicates guests should remain at the venue after the ceremony. No additional location card is needed.

For separate ceremony and reception locations:

Saturday, June 15, 2026 4:30 in the afternoon St. Mary's Church 456 Church Street, Chicago

Reception immediately following The Botanical Gardens 123 Garden Way, Chicago

Including both locations on the main invitation works when reception follows promptly. For longer gaps or complex directions, include a separate reception card with detailed information.

For cocktail hour between ceremony and reception:

Ceremony at four o'clock Cocktail reception at five o'clock Dinner and dancing at seven o'clock The Grand Ballroom 789 Celebration Avenue, Chicago

This timeline helps guests plan their evening and understand the event structure. It works particularly well for multi-part celebrations.

Destination wedding invitations require additional context:

Elizabeth Smith and William Brown request the pleasure of your company at their destination wedding Saturday, June 15, 2026 Villa Montefiore Tuscany, Italy

Weekend celebration details and accommodation information enclosed

The phrase "destination wedding" immediately signals travel requirements. Including "weekend celebration details" indicates multiple events. A separate card provides accommodation options, travel tips, and full weekend schedule.

Additional Invitation Details

Dress code information appears at the bottom right or lower center of the invitation³. Formal invitations may omit dress code if black tie is implied by venue and wording. When specified, use standard terms guests understand.

Dress code phrasing:

• Black tie
• Black tie optional
• Cocktail attire
• Semi-formal attire
• Garden party attire
• Beach casual
• Festive attire

Avoid inventing dress code terms. "Garden party attire" and "beach casual" clearly indicate appropriate clothing, while vague phrases like "dressy casual" confuse guests.

For adults-only weddings, address envelopes to adults only and add subtle wording:

Adult reception to follow

Or reference on your website. Never write "No children" or "Adults only" directly on formal invitations as it violates etiquette. The envelope addressing makes the policy clear.

For weddings including children:

Children welcome

Or omit mention entirely if children are welcome. Families will assume they can bring children unless the envelope addressing indicates otherwise.

Registry information never appears on wedding invitations¹. Share registry details on your wedding website, through word of mouth, or on shower invitations. Including registry information on wedding invitations violates etiquette because it implies gifts are expected.

Wedding website information can appear on a separate enclosure card or at the bottom of the invitation:

For accommodation and additional details, please visit www.elizabethandwilliam.com

This directs guests to comprehensive information without cluttering your invitation with excessive text.

Writing Your Perfect Invitation

Creating your wedding invitation wording starts with defining your wedding style and determining who hosts the celebration³. These two factors guide every wording decision. A formal church wedding hosted by parents requires different language than a casual beach wedding hosted by the couple.

Begin by identifying your host situation and selecting the appropriate host line from the examples above. This establishes your invitation foundation. Next, choose your request line to match your formality level and ceremony type. Religious ceremonies traditionally use "honour of your presence," while secular celebrations use "pleasure of your company," though these distinctions have relaxed in modern usage.

Write out your ceremony details with appropriate formatting for your style. Formal invitations spell everything out, semi-formal invitations use standard date formatting, and casual invitations can use abbreviations and simpler structures. Include your venue name and full address for clarity.

Add your reception information based on your venue situation. If ceremony and reception share a location, "reception to follow" is sufficient. Separate locations require full details or a separate enclosure card with directions and timing.

Review your complete invitation for consistency in tone, spelling, and formatting. Every element should match your chosen formality level. Formal invitations require complete consistency, while casual invitations allow more flexibility. Read aloud to ensure the words flow naturally and convey the right feeling for your celebration.

Have several people review your wording before printing. Fresh eyes catch errors and unclear phrasing. Pay special attention to date, time, and location accuracy as these are the most critical practical elements. Consider how your invitation sounds to different guest groups including older relatives, friends, and colleagues to ensure everyone will understand the information and feel welcomed.

The words on your wedding invitation are the first impression of your celebration. They communicate not just logistics but the spirit of your day. Whether you choose traditional formal language or casual contemporary wording, clarity and warmth ensure your guests feel honored to celebrate with you.

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