Wedding invitation wording for every kind of wedding and family
The hardest part of wedding invitation wording is rarely the romance. It's the logistics hiding inside a few lines: whose names go first when both families contribute, how to include a stepparent or a parent who has died, and how to signal that the reception is relaxed even if the ceremony isn't. Get it wrong and relatives notice.
Below are examples grouped by who is hosting and what kind of wedding you're planning, from traditional formal wording to backyard, destination and courthouse invitations. Conventions differ by culture, faith, region and family, so treat these as common practice to adapt. You'll also find RSVP lines, short text versions, and careful wording for plus-ones, kids and gifts.
40 examples · 7 styles · copy any line in one tap
Traditional and formal
For a black-tie or religious ceremony where classic phrasing, spelled-out dates and full names suit the setting.
The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Full name] and [Full name] Saturday, the eighteenth of September two thousand twenty-seven at four o'clock in the afternoon [Church, temple or place of worship] [City, State]
[Full name] and [Full name] request the pleasure of your company as they are united in marriage [Day], the [date] of [month] at half past five in the evening [Venue] [City, State] Dinner and dancing to follow
Together with their families [Full name] and [Full name] invite you to their wedding [Day], [Date] at seven o'clock in the evening [Venue], [Address] Black tie Reception immediately following
With joy and gratitude to God, [Full name] and [Full name] invite you to witness their marriage [Date] at [Time] [Place of worship] [Address] A reception will follow in the fellowship hall
Your presence would be an honor at the wedding of [Full name] and [Full name] [Date] [Time] [Venue], [City] Kindly reply by [RSVP date]
[Full name] and [Full name] would be delighted to have you with them as they marry [Date], at [Time] [Venue] Dinner at seven, dancing until midnight Formal attire
The couple hosting
For couples hosting their own wedding, which is now very common, with wording that can be formal or relaxed.
[Name] and [Name] invite you to their wedding [Date] at [Time] [Venue], [Address] Celebration to follow Please reply by [RSVP date]
We met at a friend's party on a rainy Tuesday. Now we're getting married, and we'd love you there. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue] RSVP by [RSVP date]
[Full name] and [Full name] are getting married and would be glad to celebrate with you [Date], [Time] [Venue], [City] Cocktail attire
After [Number] years, two apartments and one very patient dog, we're making it official. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Dinner, dancing and a few speeches we promise to keep short
With love for the families who raised us, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate our marriage [Date] at [Time] [Venue] Please respond by [RSVP date]
Parents hosting (one side, both sides, blended families)
For weddings hosted by parents, including divorced, remarried and stepparents, where name order is the detail people check.
[Parent name] and [Parent name] [Last name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [First and middle name] to [Full name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [City]
[Parent names] and [Parent names] invite you to share in the joy of the marriage of their children [Name] and [Name] [Date] at [Time] [Venue], [Address]
Dr. [Parent name] and Mr. [Parent name] [Last name] would be honored by your presence at the wedding of their son [Full name] and [Full name] [Date], [Time] [Venue]
[Mother's full name] [Father's full name] invite you to the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Full name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [City]
[Parent name] and [Stepparent name] [Last name] and [Parent's full name] invite you to celebrate the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date] at [Time] [Venue]
[Parent's full name] invites you to the marriage of her son [Full name] son also of the late [Parent's full name] to [Full name] [Date], [Time] [Venue]
Together with their parents, [Parent names], [Parent names] and [Parent names], [Name] and [Name] invite you to their wedding [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address]
Casual and backyard
For relaxed weddings at home, on a farm, in a park or at a restaurant, where plain language sets the tone.
We're getting married in [Name]'s parents' backyard, under the big oak. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Address] Barbecue, lawn games and dancing on the patio Wear something comfortable. It's all grass.
Hay bales, string lights and two people saying yes. The wedding of [Name] and [Name] [Date] at [Time] [Farm name], [Address] Boots welcome. RSVP by [RSVP date]
Bring a blanket. We'll bring the vows and the food. [Name] and [Name] are getting married [Date], [Time] [Park name], [Area of the park] Please reply by [RSVP date]
A short ceremony, a long dinner. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Restaurant], [Address] We've booked the whole place, so please let us know by [RSVP date].
We're getting married and keeping it small. You're one of the people we want there. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Address] Please reply by [RSVP date]
Our friends are the caterers. A potluck wedding for [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Address] When you RSVP, tell us which dish you'll bring.
Destination weddings
For weddings that ask guests to travel, where dates, the full schedule and booking deadlines need to be up front.
[Name] and [Name] are getting married on the coast of [Location] [Date], at sunset [Venue] Welcome dinner [Date], farewell brunch [Date] Please reply by [RSVP date] so we can confirm the room block.
Three days in [Location] and one wedding. [Name] and [Name] Friday: welcome drinks Saturday, [Time]: ceremony and reception at [Venue] Sunday: brunch Travel and hotel details: [Phone or link] RSVP by [RSVP date]
We're getting married where [Name]'s family is from. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [City, Country] We know it's a long trip. Please reply by [RSVP date], and if you can't make it, there will be a party at home, too.
[Name] and [Name] invite you to the mountains for their wedding [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Town] Evenings get cold up here, so bring layers. RSVP by [RSVP date]
The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of [Full name] and [Full name] [Date], [Time] [Venue] [City, Country] Kindly reply by [RSVP date] Hotel rooms are held until [Date]
Courthouse wedding plus a party
For couples who marry privately or at city hall, then invite everyone to celebrate.
We're getting married at city hall on [Date], just the two of us. Then we're throwing a party. [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Please RSVP by [RSVP date]
We did it. [Name] and [Name] were married on [Date], and now we'd love to celebrate with everyone. [Date], [Time] [Venue] Dinner, drinks and dancing RSVP by [RSVP date]
A small family ceremony at [Time], then a big party at [Time]. You're invited to the party. [Name] and [Name] [Date] [Venue], [Address] Reply by [RSVP date]
Courthouse at [Time], lunch at [Time]. There's room for [Number] of us at the courthouse and plenty at lunch. [Name] and [Name] [Date] [Courthouse name], then [Restaurant] Please let us know by [RSVP date]
We eloped. Our families have forgiven us, and we hope you will, too. Please come celebrate [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Reception-only invitations
For guests invited to the reception but not the ceremony, often because the ceremony space or tradition keeps it small.
[Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company at a reception celebrating their marriage [Date] at [Time] [Venue], [Address] Kindly reply by [RSVP date]
Following a private ceremony, [Name] and [Name] invite you to dinner and dancing. [Date], [Time] [Venue] Please respond by [RSVP date]
[Parent names] invite you to a reception in honor of [Name] and [Name] who were married on [Date] [Date of party], [Time] [Venue], [City] Please reply by [RSVP date]
The ceremony is small. The party isn't. Evening reception for [Name] and [Name] [Date], from [Time] [Venue], [Address] Reply by [RSVP date]
Married in [City], celebrating at home. A hometown reception for [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Casual attire. Please reply by [RSVP date]
Married on Saturday, brunching on Sunday. A post-wedding brunch for [Name] and [Name] [Date], [Time] [Venue] For everyone, including those who couldn't be at the ceremony
Ways to ask for RSVPs
- Kindly reply by [RSVP date].
- The favor of a reply is requested by [RSVP date].
- Please RSVP by [RSVP date] at [Phone or link], with a meal choice for each guest.
- We've saved [Number] seats for you. Please confirm by [RSVP date].
- Let us know by [RSVP date] so the caterer and the seating chart can catch up.
- Replies by [RSVP date], please. Any later and we're guessing on chairs.
- Please respond by [RSVP date]; rooms in our hotel block are held until [Date].
- Can you make it? Tell us by [RSVP date] at [Phone or link], even if the answer is no.
- Please reply by [RSVP date] and note any dietary needs or accessibility requests.
Short versions for a text or group chat
- [Name] and [Name] are getting married on [Date] in [City]. Invitation and RSVP: [Phone or link]
- Our wedding invitations are out. Please RSVP by [RSVP date] with your meal choice: [Phone or link]
- Reminder: RSVPs for [Name] and [Name]'s wedding are due [RSVP date]. It takes a minute: [Phone or link]
- We got married at city hall. The party is [Date], [Time] at [Venue]. Come celebrate: [Phone or link]
- Traveling to our wedding in [Location]? The hotel block closes [Date]. Details and RSVP: [Phone or link]
- Weather update: the ceremony moves indoors to [Venue room], same time. Details: [Phone or link]
Wording for tricky situations
Our wedding is an evening for grown-ups, and we hope you'll enjoy a night off with us.
Because space at the venue is limited, we're only able to include the guests named on your invitation.
Having you there is what matters most to us. If you've asked about gifts, our registry and honeymoon fund are at [Phone or link].
Cocktail attire. The ceremony is on the lawn, so block heels or flats will be happiest.
We'd love to see your faces, not your phones, during the ceremony. Our photographer has it covered.
For anyone who can't travel, the ceremony will stream live at [Time] [Time zone]: [Phone or link].
Formal dress from any tradition is welcome. If you'd like ideas for what to wear to the [Ceremony name], see [Phone or link].
The ceremony will be a private family gathering, and we'd love for you to join us at the reception that follows.
Common wording mistakes
- ✓Writing "no kids" or "no plus-ones" bluntly. Addressing each invitation to exactly the people invited does most of the work; add one gentle line on the details page if you need it.
- ✓Putting the registry front and center. Many guests still see a gift line on the main invitation as out of place, so a short link to your details page or website is the more common approach.
- ✓Mixing formal and casual cues. "Request the honor of your presence" followed by "bring a lawn chair" confuses guests, so pick one register and let the dress code match.
- ✓Setting the RSVP date too late. Caterers and seating charts typically need final numbers weeks ahead, so work backward from your vendor deadlines and add a week for stragglers.
- ✓Being vague about the start time. If the ceremony begins on the dot, say "ceremony begins at" and consider noting when guests can arrive, since many people show up exactly at the listed time.
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Wedding invitation wording FAQ
Whose name goes first on a wedding invitation?
In traditional Western wording, the bride's name often comes first, and hosting parents are listed before the couple. Many couples today choose whatever order sounds best, alphabetical order, or the order that honors the family contributing most. Some cultures and faiths have their own conventions, so check with both families before sending.
What is the difference between "the honor of your presence" and "the pleasure of your company"?
By long-standing convention, "the honor of your presence" is used for ceremonies in a house of worship, and "the pleasure of your company" for other venues and for receptions. Plenty of couples ignore the distinction today. If you're following traditional etiquette, it's a small detail older relatives may notice.
How do you word a wedding invitation when parents are divorced?
A common approach is to list each hosting parent on their own line, with a remarried parent alongside their spouse, followed by the couple's names. If only one side is hosting, list that parent or couple. When feelings are delicate, "together with their families" is a graceful way to include everyone without ranking anyone.
Should you put registry information on a wedding invitation?
Traditional etiquette keeps registry details off the invitation itself, sharing them on a wedding website, a details card or by word of mouth. Many couples now include a short link, especially with online invitations. If you do, keep it to one understated line near the end so the invitation stays about the day, not the gifts.
How do you invite people to the reception but not the ceremony?
Send a reception invitation that invites guests to a celebration of the marriage, with its own time and place, and leave the ceremony details out. Many couples add a short line noting that the ceremony is private. Be consistent within each group of guests, so nobody compares invitations and feels left out.
Wording for other occasions
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