Suggested Wedding Invitation Wording

Here are some general wording suggestions, as well as some guidelines for conventional wedding etiquette to help guide you as you write your invitation text. It is customary that the wording on your invitations be reflective of the tone of your event. However, keep in mind that all invitation text is completely customizable so if you are planning a less formal event, the invitations are the perfect place to let your personalities shine through.

Traditional Etiquette for wording that applies to all parts of a wedding invitation:

No punctuation is used except after courtesy titles such as Mr. and Dr.
Capital letters are most often only capitalized as you would read wording like a sentence (not at the beginning of each line.) Proper names and courtesy titles are also capitalized.
Numbers in the date are typically spelled out and follow the day (Sunday, the second of July).
Years can or need not be used, but if you want to include the year, it is typically spelled out (Two thousand and eight)
Times are spelled out and refer to the placement of hands on a clock.
1. Half after two or half past two (not 2:30 p.m.)
2. Three o’clock in the afternoon (not 3:00 p.m.)
3. Seven o’clock in the evening
Formal invitations are usually written in third-person. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” instead of “We.”

WEDDING INVITATION WORDING

BRIDE’S PARENTS HOSTING:

Informal/Contemporary:

Bride’s Parents
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter

Bride’s First, Middle name
              To
Groom’s First, Middle, Last name
On Sunday, the second of July
               Year
at Five o’clock in the afternoon
           Location
             Address
          City, State

Formal/Traditional:

Bride’s Parents
Request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Bride’s First Middle name
And
Mr. Groom’s First Middle Last Name

On Saturday, the first of July
              Year
at Half past two in the afternoon
         Location
         Address
       City, State

GROOM’S PARENTS HOSTING:

Informal/Contemporary:

Groom’s Parents
Invite you to celebrate in their joy and happiness
At the marriage of

Bride’s First Middle Last name
To their son
Groom First Middle Last name

On Saturday, the twelfth of August
               Year
at Two o’clock in the afternoon
           Location
             Address
          City, State

Formal/Traditional:

Groom’s Parents
Request the honor of your presence
At the marriage of

Bride’s First Middle Last name
To their son
Groom’s First Middle Last name

On Saturday, the fourteenth of December
Year
at Ten o’clock in the morning
            Location
             Address
           City, State

COUPLE HOSTING:

Informal/Contemporary:

Bride’s First Middle Last Name
&
Groom’s First Middle Last Name

Invite you to share our joy as we honor our new life together.

Sunday, the thirtieth of August
at Two o’clock in the afternoon
Location
Address
City, State

Formal/Traditional:

Bride’s First Middle Last names
And
Groom’s First Middle Last names

Along with their families
Request the honor of your presence
At their marriage ceremony

Saturday, the fifth of February
Four o’clock in the afternoon
Location
Address
City, State

BOTH SETS OF PARENTS HOSTING:

Informal/Contemporary:

Bride’s Parents
And
Groom’s Parents

Invite you to share in the marriage ceremony
Uniting their children

Brides First Middle Last Name
And
Groom’s First Middle Last Name

On Friday, the seventeenth of September
Year
at Seven o’clock in the evening

Location
Address
City, State

Formal/Traditional:

Together with their families
Bride’s First Middle Last Name
And
Groom’s First Middle Last Name

Request the honor of your presence
At their marriage
On Sunday, the eighth of August
Year
At twelve o’clock in the afternoon

Location
Address
City, State

RESPONSE/RSVP CARD WORDING

Informal/Contemporary:

We hope you can join us for our wedding and reception on Sunday, the fourth of May

M______________________________
Accepts with pleasure______________
Declines with regret_______________
Number of people attending_________

Vegetarian Entrée_________________
Chicken_________________________
Salmon__________________________
Prime Rib or Beef__________________

Formal/Traditional:

The favor a reply is requested
By Monday, February 25, 2008

M______________________________
Accepts with pleasure______________
Declines with regret_______________
Number of people attending_________

Vegetarian Entrée_________________
Chicken_________________________
Salmon__________________________
Prime Rib or Beef__________________

RECEPTION CARD WORDING

Informal/Contemporary:

Celebrate with us at a Dinner and Dance Reception
Immediately following the wedding on Sunday, the seventh of October
City, State