Wedding Invitation Wording
Many couples ask for my advice on what to include on their wedding invitations, so I’ve outlined my guidance below.
The essentials
- Your names
Do you want first names or surnames too?
- Wedding date
It’s helpful to add the day, e.g. Saturday, for clarity
- Wedding location
Include the full address, including the postcode
- Initial timings
I like to make it clear when guests should arrive
e.g. If the ceremony is at 1pm, but you want your guests to arrive by 12.15pm then state this
- State how you’d like guests to RSVP
Phone number
Email address (lots of couples make a separate wedding-specific email)
Physical RSVP with your return address
Website or no website?
These days, many couples opt for a wedding website (e.g. withjoy.com) for all the finer details of their wedding day. This way you can keep the physical invitation wording you’re sending to guests quite minimal and bring attention to the style/material of the invitation.
Some people want all the information on paper, which is more traditional. In this case, you will need to include all the key information or ask guests to contact you for finer details. This information can either be on the invite itself, or on an additional ‘details’ card.
Design
Your invitation can set the style and theme for your upcoming wedding, so it’s a perfect change to showcase it.
How do you want your guests to feel when they open your invite (aside from excited, of course!)
Touched by a personal design?
Impressed at your care for sustainability?
Wowed by the uniqueness of the material?
The details
What details should you include? Consider the following;
- Accommodation recommendations
- Taxis / travel arrangements
- Arrival time and what to expect (order of the day)
- Where to input dietary requirements
- Dress code
- Gifts
- If children are allowed (or babies in arms)
- Contact numbers for the day (you’ll be pretty busy on the day itself!)
- Any 'day after' plans
Example wording
Together with their parents / families,
X & X
Joyfully / lovingly / are delighted to invite you / X & X
To the celebration of their marriage / wedding
On [date]
At [location]
Ceremony at [time]
Arrival at [time]
Followed by a Reception at [location]
Carriages at [time]
The Details:
[Insert details here] / For more information please see the details card
Please RSVP by [date] by [email / phone number / website / using RSVP card provided]
Amy’s tips
- Take time to proof read your preview and get a trusted second pair of eyes too
- Order a few extras in case - in my experience with couples, this always pays off
- There are so exact rules so if you want to change things up, absolutely do!
- If you want to be super clear about who is invited (e.g. only one person from a couple), you could add guest’s names onto the invite itself. This way there is no confusion.
I hope this has helped you on your way to creating the invitations you’ve been imagining!
I’m Amy, the one-woman-band behind Beloved Creations, and I offer sustainable, plantable wedding stationery. If you want to take a look at what I offer, visit my main menu at www.belovedcreations.co.
Love,
Amy