When it comes to choosing the words for your invitations, it's easier just to start and revise as you go along. Keep in mind that it is really important your wording reflects you and the wedding you want to have. Don’t be afraid to break the rules. We suggest deciding on a tone of voice; traditionally formal, semi-formal or informal with a little bit of relaxed personality?
Let’s walk through the basics of wedding invitation wording.
EVENT HOSTS
Who is inviting the guests to your celebration? Traditionally, the bride’s parents are listed as the host, but it is now very common to list the groom’s parents, both sets of parents ( the gracious option, no matter who is footing the bill) leave the host line out completely or to choose “Together with their parents OR families” if the couple is also contributing to the wedding.
"Together with their parents OR families" | "Mr. & Mrs. XX request the pleasure of your company" | "Mr. & Mrs. XX together with Mr. & Mrs. XX request the pleasure of your company”
WHAT IF ONE PARENT IS DECEASED?
"Mr. & the late Mrs. XX request the pleasure of your company" | "Mr. & Mrs. XX together with Mr. & the late Mrs. XX request the pleasure of your company”
WHAT IF YOUR PARENTS ARE DIVORCED OR REMARRIED
Sometimes it can just be easier to choose “Together with their parents” but if you do want to list your parents names then here is an example of a divorced and remarried couple.
“Reece and Amanda Johns
and James and Linda Morgan
and Terry and Jane Baxter
invite you the marriage of their children”
REQUEST
Picking the tone you ask your guests to attend your special day, can be set by using words like “honour” or for a more casual tone “would love”.
"The honour of your presence” | The pleasure of your company” | "at the marriage of their children" | "would love for you to join them" | "invite you to celebrate with them"
THE COUPLE
Traditionally the bride’s name goes first and then the groom’s name. Some couples choose to use their full names. For a more formal invite use the brides first and middle name. For same sex marriages traditional name order isn’t applicable, whether it be “Louise and Tara” or “Tara and Louise” it’s going to be lovely either way.
"Bridget Smith and Trevor Anderson" | “ Bridget Leigh and Trevor Anderson” | “Louise and Tara” | “Tara and Louise”
DAY AND TIME
For a more formal tone, the day and time is usually spelt out and the words “afternoon/evening” are used instead of AM/PM. Including the year is optional. If you prefer a more relaxed tone include numerals, or a mix of both.
"Saturday the second of December, Two Thousand and Sixteen, at four o'clock in the afternoon" | “Saturday the 2nd of December, 2017” | “02.12.2017”
CEREMONY LOCATION
List the name of the ceremony location, including the address and town or city. you don’t need to include the postal or zip code.
“Mudbrick Winery, 126 Church Bay Rd, Waiheke Island, New Zealand”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO INCLUDE
If the Ceremony and Reception share the same venue and there is room on the invite, it is common to note that the reception will follow. If the reception is at a different location or at a later time it requires it’s own line. For very formal invitations reception details aren’t included on the invitation but instead on a seperate information card.
"Reception to Follow” | “Dinner, dancing and fun to follow”
ALTERNATIVE WORDING
A wee selection of non-traditional introductions and wordings that express personality and a more relaxed tone.
"Penny and Sam
Are making this thing official and finally getting married.
They excitedly request your presence at the biggest party or their lives,
Saturday the Seventeeth of March,
Two Thousand and Nineteen.
Kumeu Valley Estate,
Two O’clock in the Afternoon,
Waimauku, Auckland.”
“Because you have shared in our lives and supported our love, we Lauren and Thomas request the pleasure of your company at our marriage. Please join us on the twenty-third day of March, two thousand and eighteen, at half past two in the afternoon”.
“Join us for a wonderful day of laughter and merriment
Friday, the 18th of October
beginning with a ceremony
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Kumeu Valley Estate, Waimauku, Auckland
followed by dinner, drinks and killer dance moves at seven o’clock in the evening”.
RSVP CARDS
Things to include on your RSVP card; the reply message, the date the reply is required by and how you wish the guest to reply by. You might also like to include any dietary or transport options for your guests to reply with. If you’re going for a more personalised approach, you might like to include a line for song suggestions.
It is becoming more and more common for couples to create ‘wedding only’ email addresses (cheers gmail!) to keep all wedding related emails including RSVPS all in one place. Using an email for a reply is quick and convenient - not to mention a budget friendly way of requesting your guests RSVPs. However if you’re wanting a more traditional suite then a mailable reply is appropriate.
"Please reply by" | "The favour of your reply is requested by" | “Kindly reply by”
"Accepts with pleasure...Declines with regret" | "Joyfully accepts...Regrets to decline" | "Yes, can't wait...No, we'll celebrate from afar"
DETAILS or INFORMATION CARDS
We are all about letting your invitation breathe, if you have lots of details definitely opt for a details card. This details card contains all of your particulars, things like accommodation, transport, dress attire, gift requests, little one requests and next day activities.
GIFT REQUESTS
"Your presence is the greatest gift of all, however if you would like to buy a gift we have a gift registry at Smith and Caugheys. Our gift registry ID is (Insert # here) www.smithandcaugheys.co.nz/gift-registry”
“Your presence is enough of a present to us! But for those of you who are stubborn, we’ve put together a wish-list to help you out. Please see the link on our website. We will also have a wishing well onsite at the wedding {Insert link here).”.
“While we would be honoured to receive any gift from you, to save you precious time, we have setup a wedding gift registry at www.mildredandco.com Simply click ‘Find a Registry’ and search {Insert names here}.”
“As we’ve lived together for a year or two,
We really don’t need anything new,
But if you’d like to treat us with a small wedding gift,
A contribution to our honeymoon wouldn’t go a miss.”
“Please donʼt feel obliged to buy us a gift, we just want you to come and have a good time with us! However, if you prefer to purchase a gift, feel free to surprise us!”
“The most important thing to us is to have you with us on our special day. No gifts are needed or expected, however if you still wish to give us something, a little cash to spend on our honeymoon would be very much appreciated”.
LITTLE ONES
“Children are by invitation only”.
“Although we love the little ones in our lives, to allow everyone to relax, we ask no children be in attendance.”
“In order to allow all guests, including parents an evening of relaxation, we have chosen for our wedding day to be an adult only occasion. We hope this advance notice means you are still able to share our big day and will enjoy having the evening off!”
With all of the wording tips and formal etiquettes out there, make sure you stay true to you, your wording should reflect you both as a couple.
As wording is a large part of what we do, feel free to send through an email with any questions regarding your wedding stationery.
Much love,
Kim
Founder and Creative Director
Smitten With Love