Wedding
Wedding invitation wording: examples for every situation
Copy-ready wording for parents hosting, both families, the couple hosting and casual weddings, plus the etiquette lines that keep guests from calling you with questions.
The five lines every invitation needs
- The host line. Who is inviting: the couple, one set of parents, both, or "together with their families".
- The request line. "request the honour of your presence" (ceremony in a place of worship), "request the pleasure of your company" (civil or secular), or simply "invite you to celebrate".
- The names. Full names in formal wording; first names only is fine for casual. Traditionally the bride's name comes first; same-sex couples choose any order.
- Date, time and place. Formal invitations spell the date out ("Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon"); modern ones use numerals.
- What happens next. "Reception to follow", or the reception venue if it differs, plus dress code and the RSVP instruction (often on a separate card).
Formal wording (parents hosting)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennett request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Olivia Grace to Mr. James Alexander Carter Saturday, the twelfth of June two thousand twenty-seven at four o'clock in the afternoon St. Philip's Church Charleston, South Carolina Reception to follow
Use "Mr. and Mrs." with the father's full name; if the bride's parents are divorced, list each on its own line ("Mrs. Anne Bennett and Mr. Thomas Bennett"). Deceased parents are usually honoured in the program instead of the invitation.
Both sets of parents
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennett and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carter request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Grace Bennett and James Alexander Carter
The couple hosting (most common today)
Together with their families Olivia Bennett and James Carter invite you to celebrate their wedding Saturday, June 12, 2027 · 4:00 pm The Rosewood Garden Charleston, South Carolina Dinner and dancing to follow
Casual wording
Olivia & James are getting married! Join us for the celebration June 12, 2027 at 4 pm The Rosewood Garden, Charleston Party to follow
The lines people forget
| Situation | Where it goes | Wording |
|---|---|---|
| Adults only | Details card, never the invitation | "We respectfully request no children under 12 at the ceremony and reception." |
| Plus-ones | Envelope and RSVP card | Address the envelope to both names, or "and guest"; RSVP card: "___ seats reserved in your honour". |
| Dress code | Bottom right of the invitation or details card | "Black tie" / "Cocktail attire" / "Garden party attire" |
| Wedding website | Details card or save-the-date | "Travel, hotel block and registry: oliviaandjames.com" |
| Unplugged ceremony | Program or a sign | "We invite you to be fully present: please keep phones and cameras away during the ceremony." |
| Registry | Website only | Never on the invitation itself; it is read as asking for gifts. |
RSVP card wording
Kindly reply by May 15 M ______________________________ ___ joyfully accepts ___ regretfully declines ___ Beef ___ Fish ___ Vegetarian
The "M" line is where guests write Mr./Mrs./Ms. and their names. Set the reply date three to four weeks before the wedding and pre-stamp the return envelope. Online RSVPs work for younger guests; print the website on the card and keep a paper option for older relatives.
Proofreading checklist
- Names spelled as on the invitation list (middle names optional but consistent).
- Date and weekday agree: check a calendar for the year of the wedding.
- Time written once, in one format (4:00 pm or four o'clock, not both).
- Venue name exactly as the venue writes it, plus city and state.
- Reply-by date is 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
- Order one printed sample before the full run: screen colours and paper colours differ.
Let the wording generator assemble the lines for you, then paste them into a wedding invitation and its matching RSVP card.
Invitations with room for your wording
Frequently asked questions
Does the bride's name always come first?
Traditionally yes, because her parents were the hosts. Couples who host themselves choose any order; same-sex couples usually go alphabetical or by whoever's family is listed first.
Should I write 'honour' or 'honor'?
Formal American invitations use the British spelling 'honour' and 'favour' by convention. Either is correct; be consistent.
How do I include a deceased parent?
'Olivia Grace, daughter of Mr. Thomas Bennett and the late Mrs. Anne Bennett'. Many couples prefer a line in the program or a memorial candle instead.
Can I put the registry on the invitation?
No. Put it on the wedding website and mention the website on the details card. Baby showers are the exception, not weddings.
How formal should the wording be for a destination wedding?
Match the venue: a beach wedding takes casual wording; a historic church takes formal. Add travel details on a separate card and send everything three months out.