Wedding Invitation Wording: Everything You Need to Include

In recent years, there's been a shift in the way wedding invitations are written. Traditional sensibility often takes a back seat to something more fun, and a little less formal. The most important thing to remember when writing the wording for your wedding invitation is that it should set the tone of your special day.

The Essential Wedding Invitation Wording:

To make it easier for you to design your wedding invitations, here are the main components of a wedding invitation:

Let's dive a little deeper into what you must have for each part of your wedding invitation.

The Host Line

The first line of the invitation should list who's hosting the wedding. This question is a much more complex question now than it once was. In the past, the bride's family always hosted weddings, and paid for them. Since those days are over, the "host line," is mostly superficial honor given out to whomever you'd like. You're always welcome to host the wedding yourselves as well! Here are the most common Hosts:

• A Bride's Parents
• A Groom's Parents
• Both sets of parents
• Both the couple and their parents
• The couple alone
• Both the couple and their families

The Invitation Line

Should go without saying, but this is where you invite people. The words "The honor of your presence," is traditionally used when the ceremony will be held in a place of worship. Informal wording is becoming very common, but this one still holds true for the most part.

In this piece of the invitation, you're really welcome to be as formal or informal as you want. So something like, "Request the honor of your presence," or even, "Join us for a celebration of love, friendship, laughter, and family" will work. There are many options here.

The Names

Seems simple enough, until you really start thinking about it. Which name goes first? Traditionally, ladies first...so the bride’s name is first on the invitation—but what if there are two brides? Or two grooms? Do you put last names on? Do you have the names on the same line?

There really is no right or wrong answers here, to me, the question is, what fits your style and design? Don't overthink it.

The Invitation / Action Line

What are you inviting people to share in? If the bride's parent's are hosting, then you'll probably want something like "At the marriage of their daughter." A less traditional invitation might just say, "As they finally get hitched," or "As they exchange vows."

Keep the invitation line simple-not necessarily formal but easy to understand. If you're having a non-traditional wedding, your invitation wording still should be straightforward, with your own personal twist thrown in.

The Information Line

This should be pretty simple. Don't confuse people by making it overly complicated! Time, date, location, that's pretty much what you want to convey.

Traditionally you will spell out the numbers and capitalize proper nouns. Don't worry about using a.m. or p.m. or a phrase like “in the afternoon” as it is implied in most cases. If you are having an 8, 9. or 10 o'clock event, then traditionally more specific timing would be used here. The year is often omitted as well, but can be included for the sake of a keepsake.

Be consistent throughout the piece. If you spell out the numbers, do it with the time and dates.

The Party Line

So, what are we doing after the wedding? In this section, be excited, and really tell the guests what to expect. If you're not serving a full meal, something like "Cake & Conversation to Follow," would be appropriate. If you're serving dinner, something more like "Dinner and Dancing to Follow," would be better.

If you make it vague, people might be disappointed by the lack of food, or might eat beforehand! Get creative with the wording, but make sure people know what they're getting themselves into.

Also be sure to note a time and new location if applicable, and always make sure you end with a call to action, telling your guests to RSVP or to go to your wedding website instead of just assuming they will do so. It seems a majority of people will skim invitations for the date and place. Make sure they get the rest of the needed information.

Looking to design your own wedding invitations? Talk to one of our wedding experts.