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Wedding Invitation Wording

Like with many of the other aspects of weddings,  there's a certain etiquette  associated with the wording of wedding invitations.  The two main factors that are the most important to consider are who is paying for the wedding and where it's going to be held.  Once you've addressed those things in the invites,  you can then worry about any added rhetorical flourishes, the calligraphy  and the overall design of the invitation itself.   Until then, we have some tips to get you started on the right track to wedding invitation bliss.

Common Mistakes

  • Typos. Make sure you have a few set of eyes look over the invitations before you send them out. A typo can be a mistake that is not only embarrassing, but also confusing to guests. Plus, you don't want to have to look at an invitation with a typo on it every time you decide to leaf through your wedding album.
  • Too wordy. Don't try anything too long-winded or clever, because this also increases the chances that someone will get confused when he or she reads it. Wedding invitations should be short and simple, since most guests will only skim them for the important details.
  • Forgetting important details. Remember to include all the information your guests need. This means date, time, place and a description of the reception. Cocktails and finger foods are much different than a buffet dinner, and people want to know whether they should grab some food before they hit the wedding or hold out for a gourmet meal. This description, however, should go along with short and sweet theme. A phrase at the end of the invitation like "Light dinner and dancing to follow" should suffice.

Wording Should Changes If...

  • Your wedding is being held at a friend's home. When listing the location, make sure to say it's at "the residence of" your friends, listing them by their full married or single names.
  • It's a church wedding.  In this case, it should be worded a bit more formally than an invitation for a wedding held at a secular venue, and there is no need for a written acknowledgement. Instead of R.S.V.P., church wedding invitations often have the phrase "Please reply."
  • This is your second marriage. These invitations can be much more informal. If you are a widow(er), however, you can issue the invitation in the name of your parents or closest living relatives.
  • It's a home wedding.  Invitations can replace the phrase "request the honour of your presence" with "request the pleasure of your company" for a more intimate, personal feel. If your home wedding requires many of your guests to travel, it is okay to include a separate sheet of paper with train times or directions.

Resources

If you're still unsure how to word your wedding invitations, there are plenty of resources for you to utilize.  Consult with:

Related Guides

Have more wedding preparations to conquer?  No problem.  We're here to help.

Save the Dates

Hiring a Calligrapher

Wedding Thank You Cards

Inviting Exes to the Wedding

Wedding Invitation

External Links