Every wedding invitation should answer five questions clearly: who is hosting, who is getting married, when, where, and how to respond. Match formality of language to the formality of the event — and put logistics like parking, hotels, and dietary on a separate details card or your wedding website.
Your wedding invitation wording does more than convey logistics. It announces who you are as a couple and what guests should expect. Here's how to write it with confidence.
The Five Elements of Every Invitation
Every wedding invitation — regardless of style — needs to answer five questions: Who is hosting? Who is getting married? When? Where? How do I respond? How you answer them determines the tone of the whole piece.
Traditional Formal Wording
Traditional invitations use the third person and lead with the host line — usually the bride's parents, the groom's parents, or both.
Mr and Mrs Edward Ashworth
together with Mr and Mrs James Whitmore
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Charlotte Rose
and
James William
on Saturday, the fourteenth of June
Two thousand and twenty-five
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St Mary's Church, Kensington, London
Notes: spell out all numbers and times; use "request the pleasure of your company" for religious ceremonies and "request the honour of your presence" for church services specifically; omit the year if space is tight.
Modern Formal Wording
For couples hosting their own wedding, or who want a more contemporary feel while keeping formality:
Together with their families
Charlotte Ashworth
and
James Whitmore
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 3pm
St Mary's Church, Kensington, London
Reception to follow at The Orangery
Relaxed / Casual Wording
For garden parties, beach weddings, and informal celebrations:
We're getting married!
Join Charlotte & James
for an afternoon of love, laughter, and champagne
14 June 2025 · 3pm onwards
Byron Bay, NSW
Including Dress Code
Always include dress code if it differs from what guests might assume. Place it in the lower right corner or on a separate details card:
- Black tie
- Black tie optional
- Cocktail attire
- Garden party attire
- Smart casual
RSVP Wording
Keep it clear and include the deadline and method:
Kindly reply by 1 May 2025
rsvp@charlotte-and-james.com
Or for a more romantic touch: "Please let us know by 1 May if we'll have the pleasure of your company."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Omitting the year — include it on the main invitation, especially for destination weddings where guests plan far in advance.
- Inconsistent formality — mixing "kindly RSVP" with "it's gonna be epic" reads as unedited, not charming.
- Too much information on the main card — hotel blocks, parking, and dietary instructions belong on a separate details card or your wedding website.
- Forgetting a start time — this one causes genuine stress for guests.