Wording your wedding invitations effectively means juggling a lot of details: what you want to say, how formal your invitations are, where you’ll explain the dress code, and whether you should add registry links. The good news: There’s no single proper way to word your invitations.
This guide explains what you should know awbout wording for wedding invitations, line by line, with copy-and-paste templates for each style. We’ll cover etiquette, modern updates, how to communicate the dress code, and RSVP tips.
Wedding invitation wording: Line by line
You can start with our copy-ready template as your base, and from there, you can customize each line, using the tips and examples in this guide:
- Choose your tone and hosting style.
- Collect names, date, time, and venue details.
- Use the core template below as your base.
- Personalize all pertinent details.
- Match examples here to your preferred style.
Did you know?
With Jotform’s wedding invitation tools, you can send polished invitations and collect responses in minutes:
- Wedding RSVP Tool: Create a tap‑to‑RSVP link/QR instantly via several wedding RSVP templates
- Wedding RSVP Form: Collect guest responses on a single, simple page
- Wedding Invitation Form: Send a digital invite with event details, registry links, and an RSVP field
Your copy-ready wedding invitation template
Together with their families,
[Name] and [Name]
request the pleasure of your presence
at their wedding
on [Day, Month, Year] at [Time]
[Venue], [City, State]
Reception to follow
Kindly RSVP by [Date] at [Website/QR]
[Attire (optional field)]
1. The host
The first line of your invitation names the hosts: Traditionally, this would be the people paying for the wedding, but modern invites are flexible. You can list one set of parents, both sets of parents, just the couple, or the couple’s names prefaced by “Together with their families.”
For divorced or remarried parents, list each set separately on its own line. If honoring a deceased parent, include their name without implying hosting by saying “the late [name of parent].”
Examples
- Formal: “Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter…”
- Casual: “Together with their families, Kimberly Hart and Thomas Oliver invite you to celebrate their wedding…”
2. The request to attend
This line sets the tone of your invitation and indicates the formality level. Customarily, weddings held in a house of worship use “request the honor of your presence,” while other venues use “request the pleasure of your company.”
For less formal weddings, you can simply invite guests to celebrate with you — this is a modern alternative that works just as well.
Examples
- Formal: “…request the honor of your presence at the marriage of…”
- Semi-formal: “…request the pleasure of your company as they exchange vows…”
- Casual: “…invite you to join them for a backyard wedding celebration…”
3. Names of the couple
Conventionally, the bride’s name appears first on the invitation, followed by the groom’s. Today, many couples choose an order that feels most natural: alphabetical, personal preference, or based on who’s hosting. For same-sex weddings, listing names alphabetically or simply based on flow often works best.
Examples
- Formal: “Emma Louise Carter and Jonathan Michael Hayes”
- Modern: “Jordan Lee & Taylor Morgan”
4. Date and time
How you write the date and time depends on the tone of your wedding. Typically, formal invitations include all the details: the day of the week, month, year, and time, all spelled out as words. Modern invitations often use shorter, numeric formats, especially for digital invites or more casual events. You can choose the style that fits your wedding’s vibe, but be sure to keep it consistent across all stationery and RSVP details.
Examples
- Formal: “Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August, two thousand twenty-five, at half past five in the evening”
- Modern: “Saturday, August 24, 2025 | 5:30 PM”
5. Location
Your invitation must specify the wedding location. For most venues, listing the venue name, city, and state is sufficient. You need to include the street address only if guests will need extra guidance, such as when you’re using a private residence or hard-to-find location.
Examples
- Venue only: “The Grand Ballroom, Charleston, SC”
- Venue and address: “Rosewood Estate, 1425 Maple Lane, Asheville, NC”
6. Reception information
Include reception details so guests know where and when to celebrate after the ceremony. If the reception is at the same venue as the ceremony, a simple “Reception to follow” line works. When you have a reception at a different location or at a later start time, specify the venue and time. When details — such as parking, directions, or extra instructions — get lengthy, consider using a separate details card to keep the main invitation clean.
Examples
- Same venue: “Reception to follow in the Grand Ballroom”
- Different venue: “Reception at Rosewood Estate, 7:00 PM”
7. Dress code/attire (optional)
Brief wording on attire is usually enough, and guests will infer formal attire if this detail is omitted.
Examples
- “Black tie”
- “Cocktail attire”
- “Garden party attire”
8. RSVP
Set a deadline and make replying easy: Try the Wedding RSVP App to collect responses instantly. Your guests can RSVP via a website, QR code, or traditional card, per your preference. For a simple, one-page option, use a Wedding RSVP Form and include the short URL or QR on the invitation.
Examples
- “RSVP by June 1 at [YourAppURL] (QR on invite).”
- “Please reply by June 1 using the enclosed card.”
9. Website (optional)
Your wedding website is the place for maps, parking details, shuttle info, schedule, accessibility notes, and FAQs. Guests can refer to it for anything you omitted from the main invitation.
If you’re sending a digital invitation, use the Wedding Invitation Form to share event details, registry links, and an RSVP field.
Example Line
- “Visit our website for maps, parking, and all event details: [YourWebsiteURL]”
Copy-and-paste wedding invitation templates
Use the templates below as a starting point for your invitations. Keep lines short and adjust details like names, dates, and venues as needed.
Formal wedding invitation wording
Mr. and Mrs. James Zelinsky
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their son
Joshua Zelinsky
to
Cristian Burns
on Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August, two thousand twenty-five
at five in the evening
The State Room, Boston, MA
Reception to follow
Kindly RSVP by June 1 at [Website or QR]
Black tie
Casual wedding invitation wording
Together with their families,
Noah James Campbell and Sarah Louise Larken
invite you to celebrate their wedding
on Saturday, August 24, 2025
at 5:30 PM
Rosewood Estate, Asheville, NC
Reception to follow
RSVP by June 1 at [Website or QR]
Garden party attire
Catholic wedding invitation wording
Together with their families,
Ami Calista Brown and John Michael Anderson
request the honor of your presence
at their wedding
on Saturday, the seventeenth of May, two thousand twenty-five
at 2:00 PM
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Boston, MA
Reception to follow
Kindly RSVP by April 10 at [Website or QR]
Cocktail attire
Modern wedding invitation wording
Lina Amberson & Matt Kenney
invite you to join them
for their wedding celebration
Saturday, 24 Aug 2025 · 5:30 PM
The Greenhouse, Portland, OR
Reception to follow
RSVP by June 1 at [Website or QR]
Blue or purple garden party attire
Simple wedding invitation wording
Mia Brandt and Ethan Quar
invite you to their wedding
on Saturday, August 24, 2025
at 4:00 PM
City Hall, San Francisco, CA
Reception to follow
Please RSVP by June 1 at [Website or QR]
Semi-formal
Unique wedding invitation wording
Together with their families,
Samuel T. Iverson and Joel H. Quinby
invite you to celebrate their love
Saturday, August 24, 2025 · 6:00 PM
The Loft, Baltimore, MD
Reception and dancing to follow
RSVP by June 1 at [Website or QR]
Festive attire encouraged
Callout: Special situations at a glance
- Divorced/remarried parents: List each set separately. “Stephanie King, Michael & Nora Blunt, and Kevin & Brian Dalton invite you to the wedding of their children…”
- Deceased parent mention: Honor a deceased parent by name only. “In loving memory of Margaret Lee…”
- Reception-only invites: Specify reception details. “Reception to follow at Rosewood Estate”
- Destination/weekend weddings: Include travel tips or accommodations. “Accommodations at Oceanview Resort, details on website”
- Adult-guests-only wording: Make it polite but clear. “Adult guests only, please”
- No gifts/charity preferred: Gently guide gift expectations. “Your presence is gift enough; donations welcome”
- Weather/terrain/accessibility note: Include if needed. “Outdoor ceremony; bring comfortable shoes”
FAQs about wedding invitation wording
Formal invitations fully spell out the day, month, year, and time, while modern or casual invites can use numerals.
Avoid putting registry links on the invitation. Include them on your wedding website or details card instead.
City and state are usually sufficient. Include the full address only for private residences or hard-to-find venues.
Use “honor” for house-of-worship ceremonies and “pleasure” for other venues. Spell it “honour” if you’re using British English.
Indicate this on the invite: “Private ceremony; reception to follow, all guests welcome.”
Generally, send your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, though you should send them earlier for destination weddings. Include RSVP deadlines about three to four weeks before your wedding date.
This article is for engaged couples, wedding planners, and families preparing for a wedding who want clear, elegant, and stress-free ways to word their invitations.
Send Comment: