Wedding Words - Invitation Wording Made Simple | Greetings Island (2024)

While most couples tend to focus on the big features like the wedding dress, location, and catering, invitations are also an important highlight. Your invitation is your signature piece of bridal stationery, the first look at your wedding style. Since first impressions matter, this is why you should take some time to consider your wedding invitation style and wording carefully so guests know what to expect.

Wedding invitations can be broken down into five sections: the host names, the greeting, the couple’s names, the important details, and the reception. To avoid confusing your guests, it’s best to keep your invitation as concise as possible so the recipients don’t have a hard time hunting for the date or location.

The invitation style is also important because it paints an image of what your wedding day will be like. From the wording to the venue to the dress code, a formal wedding invitation will look a lot different from one that begins with a love for all things rustic or a dream that is definitely destination. Coordinate the level of formality of your ceremony with the invitation design for the most harmonious result. Remember to consider how much open space is needed for the text you have in mind.

While it’s understandable to feel stressed out planning one of the most special days of your life, the good news is that creating a breathtaking invitation is a lot simpler than you think. Keep reading this guide to learn more about wedding invitation must-haves and some sample wording ideas.

Quick navigation:

Host Names, Greeting, and Couple’s Names + Sample Wording

Opening with the names of the parents (or hosts), is a format your grandmother would likely recognize, but the warm inclusion of family and the underlying acknowledgement of their foundational role in your life are timeless. A bit of a modern twist places the names of the bride’s family members above her name and the groom’s directly after his. For sample suggestions of just how to say, “Come to our wedding,” we’ve compiled a list of over 50 sample phrases that extend your invitation.

The question of how to list the names of non-traditional parent combinations may seem thorny at first, but it’s less prickly than one might think. Order the names as you normally would, but keep the names separated, as in “Mr. Dad of the Bride and Mrs. Mom of the Bride invite you…” or “Mrs. Mom of the Groom and Mr. Mom’s Husband and Mr. Dad of the Groom and Mr. Dad’s Wife invite you…”

In the case of a deceased parent, it is appropriate to say “Mrs. Mom of the Groom and the late Mr. Dad of the Groom” or vice versa.

If you love the idea of including the names of your support system, but it would fill the page, consider the template for “together with their families.” It embraces and honors all the love surrounding you in a similar way but expresses that sentiment in one short phrase.

The overwhelmingly accepted etiquette is to list the Bride’s name first on all wedding stationery. But wedding rules have relaxed and your Great Aunt Mary may be the only one bothered if you break this protocol. Still, “ladies first” and all that.

Invitations given in the names of the parents of the Bride and Groom:

• (Bride’s parents) and (Groom’s parents) invite you to celebrate the marriage of (Bride & Groom)
• (Bride’s parents) and (Groom’s parents) invite you to celebrate with us the marriage of our children (Bride & Groom)
• (Bride’s parents) and (Groom’s parents) invite you to the Marriage of their Children (Bride & Groom)
• (Bride’s parents) and (Groom’s parents) request the honor of your presence at the wedding ceremony uniting their children (Bride & Groom)
• (Bride’s parents) request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter (Bride) to (Groom) son of (Groom’s parents)
• (Bride’s parents) would be delighted if you could join them in celebrating the wedding of (Bride and Groom

Invitations given in the names of the Bride and Groom and their families together:

• The (Bride’s last name) and (Groom’s last name) families invite you to celebrate the marriage of (Bride & Groom)
• Together with our families / (Bride & Groom) request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage
• Together with our families, we request the honor or your presence as we unite our lives in marriage
• Together with their families (Bride & Groom) invite you to celebrate their marriage
• Together with their families (Bride & Groom) invite you to their wedding

• Together with their families (Bride & Groom) request your presence at their wedding ceremony on (date)
• Together with their families (Bride & Groom) request your presence at the celebration of their marriage
• Together with their families / You are cordially invited to the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• Together with their loving families (Bride & Groom) invite you to celebrate their marriage
• Together with their parents (Bride’s parents, Groom’s parents) / (Bride & Groom) request the honor of your presence at their marriage
• With our families (Bride & Groom) invite you to celebrate their marriage

Invitations given in the names of the Bride and Groom only:

• (Bride & Groom) are tying the knot
• (Bride & Groom) cordially invite you to their wedding
• (Bride & Groom) cordially invite you to their wedding celebration
• (Bride & Groom) invite you to celebrate their marriage
• (Bride & Groom) invite you to their wedding ceremony
• (Bride & Groom) request your presence at the ceremony and celebration of their marriage
• (Bride & Groom) / We request your presence as we begin our lives as one.

Invitations preceding the names of the Bride and Groom:

• Add to the joy of our wedding day! Celebrate the marriage of (Bride & Groom)
• Celebrate our marriage with us!
• Celebrate the love of (Bride & Groom)
• Join us as we celebrate the beautiful marriage of (Bride & Groom)
• Join us for the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• Kindly join us for the wedding
• Please add the blessing of your presence as (Bride & Groom) are united in Holy Matrimony
• Please honor us with your presence as (Bride & Groom) exchange marriage vows
• Please join us as we celebrate the Holy Union of (Bride & Groom)
• Please join us at our wedding ceremony
• Please join us for the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• Please join us in celebration of the Holy Union of (Bride & Groom)
• Please share our special day as witnesses to our wedding

• The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of (Bride & Groom)
• We joyfully request the honor of your presence as we are wed
• We request the honor of your presence as two are joined to become one in marriage
• We would love to have you at our wedding
• You are cordially invited to attend the wedding ceremony of (Bride & Groom)

• You are cordially invited to the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• You are invited to a wedding on (date)
• You are invited to celebrate the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• You are invited to join the celebration as (Bride & Groom) are joined in marriage
• You are invited to the Wedding joining the lives of (Bride & Groom)
• You are invited to the wedding of (Bride & Groom)
• You are warmly invited to attend the wedding ceremony of (Bride & Groom)
• You are warmly invited to the marriage celebration of (Bride & Groom)
• You’re invited to our wedding. (Bride & Groom) will be united in marriage on (date)
• You’re kindly invited to join us for the wedding of (Bride & Groom)

Non-traditional Invitations:

• In a dizzying development, (Bride & Groom) are tying the knot! See it for yourself!
  Date/Time/Location
  Come for the vows, stay for the party!
• It is our great joy to invite you to our garden wedding!
• Our sweet romance becomes our wedding dance
• You are cordially invited to a Wedding Fiesta

Invitations that place the Groom’s name and family first:

• (Groom Parents/Hosts) cordially invite you to grace the wedding of their son (Groom) and (Bride), daughter of (Bride Parents/Hosts)

The Important Details + Sample Wording

Figuring out how you’d like to phrase the host names, greeting, and couple’s names is arguably the hardest part of writing a wedding invitation. Once you have those components ready, all you have to do is share any other important information that will help your guests be prepared. The most important details are the date, time, and location so your guests can show up.

Other information that’s worth including is RSVP deadlines, a dress code, plus-one options, a link to your gift registry or wedding website, and whether or not you’d like children to be present. Some couples also like to request that guests refrain from taking photos during the ceremony so they don’t get in the way of the professional photographers. Take some time to discuss these matters with your partner and then try to include a brief summary on the invitation.

Sample Wording:

• June 1^st, 2021
  At 5 pm
  Happily Ever After Chapel
  56 Meadow Drive, Portsmouth
  Please dress in smart casual clothing

• SATURDAY, AUGUST TWENTY-SIXTH
  TWO THOUSAND TWENTY
  AT HALF PAST SIX IN THE EVENING
  HAVE AND TO HOLD WEDDING CHAPEL
  241 NORTH 34TH STREET, HANOVER
  ADULTS ONLY

• Sunday 04/30/2021
  At 7 in the evening
  Watch the sunset at Ormond Beach
  Meet reception at Chateau Mar Beach Resort
  507 S Atlantic Avenue
  Kindly RSVP by mail or phone
  No later than 04/01/2021

• SEP | 6 | 2020
  7 O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING
  MAJESTIC BALLROOM
  1152 DARK STAR LANE
  SAN DIEGO, CA
  THE BRIDE AND GROOM
  KINDLY REQUEST THAT GUESTS
  REFRAIN FROM TAKING PHOTOS
  DURING THE CEREMONY

• 30^th | May | 2020
  Church of Faith
  3112 West River Road
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  6 pm
  Visit our wedding registry
  BrideAndGroomGetMarried.com

• 08.16.20
  AT SIX O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING
  MAGNOLIA WEDDING CHAPEL
  MIAMI, FLORIDA
  Guests may bring a plus-one

The Reception + Sample Wording

Many receptions take place at a different location that can accommodate a big celebration. This is where everyone can eat, toast to the happy couple, bring gifts, dance, and have a blast. Creating a separate section on your wedding invitation with the reception address will help prevent your guests from confusing the ceremony and reception addresses. Remember: white spaces and bold fonts are your friends when it comes to highlighting these important details.

Sample Wording:

• Toast to our happily ever after
• At Party Fun Studio
  577 N Woodland Blvd
• Reception to follow
• Join us for our first dance

• Dinner and dancing to follow
• Open bar and dance contest afterwards
• Celebrate our union with good food and company
• Kick off your shoes for a beach luau reception
• Cake and champagne to follow

• Join us for a celebration following the wedding ceremony
  At 61 Meyer Street
• With co*cktails and hors d’ouevres to celebrate

Bonus: Add a romantic quote to your invitation.