Your wedding invitations set the tone before a single guest walks through the door. The paper, the design, the print: all of it matters. But so does what the invitation actually says.
Getting the wording right can feel surprisingly tricky. There are unspoken etiquette rules, family dynamics to navigate, and the constant question of how formal you really need to be. The good news: there is no single correct answer. What matters is that your wording reflects you, your partner, and the kind of wedding you are creating together.
This guide covers every situation you might encounter: traditional to modern, religious to secular, elopements to black-tie affairs, with 80+ real examples you can use or adapt.
Wedding Invitation Wording: Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
| Scenario | Key Wording Element | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Couple hosting (formal) | Opening line | The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of |
| Couple hosting (casual) | Opening line | Please join us as we celebrate the marriage of |
| Bride’s parents hosting | Host line | Mr. and Mrs. John Sutton request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter |
| Both families hosting | Host line | Together with their families, [Bride] and [Groom] invite you to celebrate their marriage |
| Ceremony only | Request line | The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage ceremony of |
| Ceremony + reception | Reception line | Reception to follow / Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Religious ceremony | Request line | Request the honor of your presence (“honor” indicates a house of worship) |
| Non-religious ceremony | Request line | Request the pleasure of your company |
| Formal date/time | Date format | Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand and twenty-five, at four o’clock in the afternoon |
| Casual date/time | Date format | June 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM |
| Children not invited | RSVP card / details card | We kindly request an adults-only celebration / Adult reception to follow |
| Elopement party | Opening line | We did it. Now we want to celebrate with you. |
What Goes on a Wedding Invitation: The 5 Essentials
Before getting into style and tone, make sure you have the five core elements covered:
- The host line: who is hosting (and often paying for) the wedding
- The request line: the phrase inviting guests to attend
- The couple’s names: traditionally the bride’s name first, though many couples now list names alphabetically or by preference
- Date, time, and venue: include the full address if your venue is not well known
- RSVP details: a reply-by date, email address, or card
Some invitations also include dress code, accommodation notes, and a wedding website URL, typically on a separate details card rather than the main invitation.
Need inspiration before you commit to a wording style? Browse Paperlust’s wedding invitation designs to see how different formats look in real layouts.
The Host Line Explained
The host line opens the invitation and signals who is paying for the event. Here is how to handle the most common situations.
Bride’s parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Gilbert
to David Cannon
Ms. Silvia Marie Goetsch and Mr. John Robert Sutton
joyfully invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
Groom’s parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Sarah Gilbert
to their son, David Cannon
Matthew and Valentina Cannon
joyfully invite you to the wedding celebration of
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
Both families hosting
Together with their families,
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
invite you to celebrate their marriage
The families of Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
joyfully invite you to share in their wedding celebration
Couple hosting
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Together with joy,
Sarah and David
invite you to witness their marriage
Divorced parents hosting
List each set of parents on separate lines with no “and” between them:
Mr. and Mrs. John Sutton
Ms. Silvia Goetsch and Mr. Robert Park
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Sutton
Formal and Traditional Wording
Traditional invitations use full names, formal titles, and spelled-out dates and times.
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Anne Gilbert
to
David William Cannon
son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
St. Mary’s Cathedral
123 Church Street, New York
Key rules for formal invitations:
- Use “honor” and “favor” (American English) for US invitations
- Spell out all numbers: “four o’clock,” “the fourteenth of June”
- “Request the honor of your presence” is used for religious venues
- “Request the pleasure of your company” is used for civil or non-religious ceremonies
- Include full titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) where applicable
Explore formal wedding invitation designs to see how classic wording looks paired with traditional print styles like letterpress and foil.
Casual and Modern Wording
Modern couples often skip the formality while keeping the warmth. These examples work well for relaxed, non-traditional celebrations.
Sarah and David are getting married!
Join us on June 14, 2025 at 4pm
The Garden at Eleven Madison, New York
After years of adventures together,
we are finally making it official.
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
invite you to celebrate with us
He finally popped the question.
She said yes (obviously).
Come celebrate with us.
Sarah and David, June 14, 2025
Together with their families,
Sarah and David invite you to their wedding celebration
Religious Wording
Christian
In the presence of God, their families, and friends,
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
unite in holy matrimony
God has blessed our love and we invite you to share in our joy
as we are united in marriage
Catholic (Nuptial Mass)
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
invite you to join them at the celebration of their
Nuptial Mass
Saturday, the fourteenth of June, 2025
at eleven o’clock in the morning
Jewish
Together with their families,
Rebecca Cohen and Joshua Levy
invite you to share in the joy of their wedding
and Shabbat celebration
We joyfully invite you to celebrate
as Rebecca, daughter of David and Ruth Cohen,
is wed to Joshua, son of Michael and Naomi Levy
under the chuppah
Non-denominational
With grateful hearts and an abundance of love,
Sarah and David invite you to witness
and celebrate the beginning of their life together
Same-Sex Couples
There are no special rules. Use whichever format suits your style and tone.
Mr. James Hartley and Mr. Oliver Pierce
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
Together with their families,
Emma Chen and Lily Park
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Two brides, one incredible party.
Emma and Lily are getting married
and they want you there.
It is official, we are doing this.
James and Oliver invite you to celebrate with them.
Second Marriage Wording
Second marriages are typically more intimate in tone. The couple usually hosts themselves.
Sarah and David
invite you to join them
as they begin their next chapter together
Together, and with great happiness,
Sarah Sutton and David Cannon
invite you to celebrate their marriage
It took a little longer to find each other,
but we got here.
Sarah and David invite you to celebrate with them.
Elopement and Micro Wedding Wording
For intimate ceremonies with a smaller guest list, the wording can be warmer and more personal.
Micro wedding (under 20 guests)
We are keeping it small and keeping it special.
Sarah and David invite their nearest and dearest
to celebrate their marriage over dinner
Sarah and David are tying the knot
in an intimate ceremony for close family and friends.
We would love for you to be there.
Elopement announcement (after the fact)
We did it.
Sarah and David were married on June 14, 2025
in Big Sur, California.
Join us for a celebration on [date] at [venue].
Destination Wedding Wording
Destination invitations pair best with a wedding website where guests can find travel details, accommodation options, and RSVP instructions.
Sarah Gilbert and David Cannon
invite you to join them in Tuscany, Italy
for their wedding celebration
Pack your bags, we are getting married in Santorini.
Sarah and David invite you to celebrate with them.
We are saying “I do” in paradise.
Sarah and David
June 14, 2025, Tulum, Mexico
Black Tie Wording
Dress code belongs in the bottom right corner of the invitation or on a separate details card. Common phrasings:
- Black tie
- Black tie optional
- Black tie preferred
- Cocktail attire
- Formal attire requested
- Garden party attire
In the invitation body:
Sarah and David request the pleasure of your company
at a black tie dinner and dance
following their ceremony
RSVP Card Wording
Your RSVP card should be clear, easy to fill in, and always include a reply-by date.
Simple
Kindly reply by May 14, 2025
[ ] Joyfully accepts
[ ] Regretfully declines
With meal choice
Please reply by May 14, 2025
Name: ________________
[ ] Will attend [ ] Unable to attend
Meal preference: [ ] Chicken [ ] Fish [ ] Vegetarian
Casual
Will you be there?
[ ] Wouldn’t miss it!
[ ] Sorry, can’t make it
Reply by May 14
With plus one
___ of ___ guests will attend
Kindly reply by May 14, 2025
Quick Wording Tips
- Venue addresses: Include the full street address unless the venue is extremely well known. Out-of-town guests will thank you.
- Time format: Traditional invitations spell out times (“four o’clock in the afternoon”). Modern invitations often use numerals (“4:00 PM”). Either works, just be consistent.
- Children: If children are not invited, note “We respectfully request an adults-only reception” on the details card, not the main invitation.
- Plus ones: Address envelopes carefully. If a guest is not invited with a plus one, address the envelope to them alone.
- Wedding website: Add your URL to the details card, not the main invitation. Keep the main invitation clean and uncluttered. A growing number of couples are also adding a small QR code to their details card — guests scan it on their phone to instantly access travel info, accommodation, RSVPs, and the wedding registry. It is a tidy way to share a lot of information without cluttering your stationery.
Planning your save the dates too? See our guide to save the date wording with 30+ examples for every wedding style.
Reception Line Wording
The reception line tells guests what follows the ceremony. Keep it brief on the main invitation and use a details card for venue address if the reception is elsewhere.
Same venue (formal)
Reception to follow
Dinner and dancing to follow
Reception immediately following the ceremony
Same venue (casual)
Let the party begin!
Join us for dinner, drinks, and dancing after the ceremony
Food, fun, and festivities to follow
Different venues
Reception to follow at The Grand Ballroom
123 Main Street, New York
Details enclosed
Complete Formal Invitation Examples by Host
Here are five complete formal invitation examples for the most common hosting scenarios. Each can be adapted with your own names, date, and venue.
Couple hosting
The honor of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Couple and both families hosting
Together with their families,
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding celebration
Saturday, the fourteenth of June, 2025
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison, New York
Reception to follow
Bride’s parents hosting (formal)
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Anne Gilbert
to
David William Cannon
son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Groom’s parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Sarah Anne Gilbert
to their son
David William Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison, New York
Both sets of parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
and
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June, 2025
The Garden at Eleven Madison, New York
Wedding Website and Gift Registry Wording
Keep wedding website and registry details off the main invitation. Put them on a separate details card to avoid cluttering the invitation itself.
Wedding website
For travel, accommodation, and RSVP information:
www.sarahanddavid2025.com
Scan the QR code for full event details and to RSVP online
Gift registry
A registry can be found at our wedding website
No gifts please
Your presence is the only gift we need
In lieu of gifts, a donation to [charity name] would be greatly appreciated
Frequently Asked Questions
Whose name goes first on the invitation?
Traditionally the bride’s name comes first. Many modern couples go alphabetical by first name, or choose whichever order sounds better. There are no rules here, only conventions.
Do I need to spell out the date and time?
For formal invitations, yes: “Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand and twenty-five, at four o’clock in the afternoon.” For casual or modern invitations, numerals are perfectly acceptable: “June 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM.”
Can I mention the gift registry on the main invitation?
Traditionally no, and most etiquette experts still advise against it. Registry details belong on a separate details card or your wedding website. Guests know to look for it, and mentioning it on the invitation can feel like the focus is on gifts rather than their presence.
How do I handle plus ones in the wording?
Do not reference plus ones on the main invitation. Address the envelope to the specific people you are inviting. If a guest has a plus one, address the envelope to them and their guest: “Sarah Gilbert and Guest.” On an inner envelope, you can write “Sarah and Guest” more informally.
What if the ceremony is religious but the reception is not?
Use the formal religious phrasing for the ceremony portion (“Request the honor of your presence”) and then add a casual or celebratory reception line (“Dinner and dancing to follow”). The two tones can coexist comfortably.
How formal should the wording be for a backyard wedding?
Match your wording to the atmosphere you want to create, not the venue. A relaxed backyard wedding can have playful, casual wording. Conversely, a backyard wedding with white-glove service and a formal sit-down dinner can use traditional formal wording. The invitation sets the expectation, so let the tone guide your guests.
Do digital wedding invitations need different wording?
The wording itself is the same. What changes is format: digital invitations can include clickable links to your wedding website and RSVP portal, embedded maps, and animated elements. Keep the core wording identical to a paper invitation.
How do I word invitations if we already eloped and are hosting a celebration?
Be direct and joyful about it:
We did it. Now we want to celebrate with you.
Sarah and David invite you to a wedding celebration
on Saturday, June 14, 2025
Reception Line Wording
The reception line tells guests what happens after the ceremony. For most couples, this is a single line at the bottom of the invitation or at the top of a separate details card. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a short phrase is all you need. If they are at different locations, include the reception address on a details card rather than crowding the main invitation.
Same venue: formal
Reception to follow
Dinner and dancing to follow
Reception immediately following the ceremony
Same venue: casual
Let the party begin!
Join us for dinner, drinks, and dancing after the “I dos”
Food, fun, and festivities to follow
Different venues
Reception to follow at [Venue Name], [Address]
Dinner and dancing at The Grand Ballroom, 123 Main Street: details enclosed
Complete Formal Invitation Examples by Host
Here are five complete formal invitation examples covering the most common hosting scenarios. Each uses the same fictional couple and venue for easy comparison: Sarah Anne Gilbert and David William Cannon, with parents Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton and Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon, celebrating at The Garden at Eleven Madison, 11 Madison Avenue, New York.
Couple Hosting
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Couple and Both Families Hosting
Together with their families,
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Bride’s Parents Hosting
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Anne Gilbert
to
David William Cannon
son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Groom’s Parents Hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Sarah Anne Gilbert
to their son
David William Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Both Sets of Parents Hosting
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Sutton
and
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cannon
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Sarah Anne Gilbert
and
David William Cannon
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand and twenty-five
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Garden at Eleven Madison
11 Madison Avenue, New York
Reception to follow
Wedding Website and Gift Registry Wording
Your wedding website is where guests find travel details, accommodation options, the RSVP form, and anything else that won’t fit on the invitation itself. Keep the main invitation clean: the website URL belongs on the details card, not the primary card. The same rule applies to registry information: a tasteful mention on the details card is perfectly acceptable; putting it on the main invitation reads as presumptuous.
Directing guests to your wedding website
For travel, accommodation, and RSVP details, please visit our wedding website:
www.sarahanddavid2025.com
All the details you need: www.sarahanddavid2025.com
RSVP and further information at www.sarahanddavid2025.com
Registry mention on the details card
We have registered at Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn.
Details available at www.sarahanddavid2025.com
A registry has been created for your convenience.
Please visit our website for details.
No gifts wording
Your presence is the only gift we need.
No gifts, please. Your company is more than enough.
In lieu of gifts, a donation to [Charity Name] would be gratefully received.
Details at www.sarahanddavid2025.com
QR code caption wording
Scan for all the details
RSVP and travel info: scan the code below
Everything you need: scan to visit our wedding website
Frequently Asked Questions
Whose name goes first on the invitation?
Traditionally, the bride’s name comes first. In modern and same-sex invitations, couples often choose alphabetical order, or simply list names by preference. There is no rule that applies to everyone: go with what feels right for you both.
Do I need to spell out the date and time?
Only for formal invitations. If your wording is traditional (“request the honor of your presence”), spelling out the date (“the fourteenth of June, two thousand and twenty-five”) and time (“four o’clock in the afternoon”) is expected. For casual or modern invitations, numerals work perfectly: “June 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM.”
How do I word invitations if we eloped and are having a celebration party?
Be warm and direct. Let guests know you are already married and that you want to celebrate with them. Something like: “We tied the knot on [date] in [location] and now we want to celebrate with the people we love most. Join us for dinner and dancing on [date] at [venue].” Keep the tone joyful rather than apologetic.
Can I mention the gift registry on the invitation?
Not on the main invitation. Registry details belong on the details card or your wedding website. Printing registry information on the primary invitation is considered poor etiquette because it puts the focus on gifts rather than the celebration. A brief, tasteful line on the details card is the accepted approach.
How do I handle plus ones in the wording?
The invitation wording itself does not need to address plus ones directly. The guest list is managed through the envelope: address the outer envelope to the named guests only. If a guest is invited with a partner, address the envelope to both names. For ambiguous situations, include a line on the RSVP card: “___ of ___ guests will attend” so guests indicate their actual number.
What if the ceremony is religious but the reception is not?
Use “request the honor of your presence” for the ceremony (traditional phrasing for a religious venue), and describe the reception separately either on the main invitation or the details card. There is no conflict in having a religious ceremony and a secular reception: the wording simply reflects each part of the day on its own terms.
Do digital wedding invitations need different wording?
Not really. The same principles apply: host line, request line, names, date, time, and venue. The main practical difference is that you have more flexibility with length and can link directly to your RSVP form and wedding website. Keep the core wording clean and avoid overcrowding the digital invitation just because you have the space.
How formal should wording be for a backyard wedding?
Match the wording to the overall feel of the day. A relaxed backyard celebration does not need “request the honor of your presence”: something like “Sarah and David invite you to celebrate their wedding” or “Join us in the backyard for a wedding celebration” is completely appropriate. Guests will take their cue from the invitation, so if the day is casual and fun, let that show in the words you choose.
Ready to Put Your Wording into Print?
Once you have your wording sorted, the fun part begins. Browse Paperlust’s 500+ exclusive wedding invitation designs, from classic letterpress to modern foil, all fully customizable with your own wording and details.
Not sure which paper or print finish is right for you? Order a $5 sample pack and see the difference in person before you commit to your order.