Congratulations on setting your wedding date and picking out a venue! Maybe you've even chosen your wedding invitations (if not, check out our sample kit to help you decide). Crafting the perfect wording for your wedding invites can feel a bit daunting, but don't worry—we've got your back!

You don't need to be a poet or an etiquette expert to get it right. We've gathered everything you need to know about what to write on each line, plus tips on handling any tricky situations with ease.

What to Include on Your Wedding Invitations

So, what exactly should your wedding invitations say? You'll want to cover the basics—the who, what, where, and when—but what's the best way to lay it all out? To make things a breeze, we've broken down the traditional structure of wedding invitation wording:

• Host Line This is where you mention who's hosting the wedding. If multiple people are hosting, you can keep it simple by just mentioning names if you want a formal touch. If you and your partner are hosting the wedding yourselves, you can skip this line altogether!

• The Invitation Here's where you invite your guests to join you. This line lets them know they're in for a special celebration!

• Date and Time Traditionally, the date and time are spelled out in full. For a modern twist, you can use numerals—just make sure the font is clear so there's no mix-up (you don't want a "2" looking like a "5"!).

• Your Names The stars of the show—you and your partner! Your names usually stand out in larger or fancier text.

• Location: Include the full name and address of your wedding venue. If you're tying the knot abroad, don't forget to add the country.

• Reception Details: If the reception is at the same place as the ceremony, a simple "Reception to follow" works perfectly. If it's at a different location, you can include those details on a separate card tucked into your invitation.

• Dress Code (Optional) While not mandatory, mentioning the dress code can be super helpful for your guests. You can add this at the bottom corner of the invite, on a details card, or on your wedding website.

Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

1. Emily and Daniel
   With great pleasure
   Emily Harrison
   and
   Daniel Cooper
   invite you to join them
   at the celebration of their marriage
   Saturday, October 12, 2024
   at two thirty in the afternoon
   The Grand Hotel Courtyard
   Bangalore, India
   Dinner and dancing to follow at The Royal Ballroom

2. Sophie and Ethan
   Sophie + Ethan
   With family & friends, we invite you to
   celebrate our wedding day.
   November 3rd, 2024 at 6 pm
   Goa, India at The Beachfront Resort
   Reception to follow

3. Lily and Jacob
   Emma & Charles Foster
   and
   David & Anne Parker
   invite you to celebrate with their children,
   Lily & Jacob
   on their wedding day
   Friday | 15 Nov 24 | 3:30 p.m.
   The Vineyard, Pune: Ceremony
   The Palm Club: Reception 6 p.m.

4. Olivia and Ryan
   Olivia and Ryan Thompson
   are getting hitched!
   December 7th, 2024
   Join us at 5 o'clock
   The Ocean Breeze
   122 Marine Drive
   Mumbai, India
   Merriment to follow

5. Ava and Lucas
   Mrs. Sarah Collins
   Mr. Michael Simmons
   Mr. and Mrs. David Hughes
   Request the pleasure of your company
   at the marriage of their children
   Ava Collins
   and
   Lucas Hughes
   Saturday, the twenty-second of June
   Two thousand twenty-four
   At half after six o'clock
   The Imperial Palace
   New Delhi, India
   Black tie

6. Chloe and Liam
   Please join us as we celebrate our wedding
   Chloe Anderson
   &
   Liam Smith
   March 23rd, 2024 at 5:00 PM
   The Riverside Garden
   123 Hill Road, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
   Reception to follow

7. Isabella and James
   Doctor and Mrs. Richard Peterson
   Mr. and Mrs. David Anderson
   invite you to share in their joy
   at the marriage of their children
   Isabella Marie and James Andrew
   Saturday, the twelfth of October
   Two thousand twenty-four
   at six o'clock in the evening
   Rosewood Garden
   Jaipur, India
   Dinner and dancing to follow
   Black tie invited

8. Sophia & Noah
   Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Garcia
   Request the pleasure of your presence
   to celebrate the marriage of
   Sophia & Noah
   Johnson
   Saturday, the tenth of February, two thousand twenty-four
   at five o'clock in the evening
   The Royal Orchid
   Udaipur, India
   Reception to follow

9. Ella and Henry
   Together with their families
   Ella Grace Thompson
   and
   Henry Charles Patel
   Invite you to join them in the celebration of their love
   Saturday, the twenty-eighth of September
   Two thousand twenty-four
   At half past four in the afternoon
   The Oberoi Vanyavilas
   Ranthambore, India
   An evening of dinner and dancing to follow
   Black tie optional

10. Mia and Benjamin
    Mia and Benjamin
    Invite you to celebrate their wedding
    Saturday, the fifteenth of June
    Two thousand twenty-four
    At half past four o'clock
    The Fern Residency
    Jodhpur, India
    Black tie optional

FAQs for Unique Wedding Invitation Wording

1. Whose name goes first on wedding invitations?
If you're following traditional etiquette, the bride's name always goes first on wedding invitations. That said, it's really up to you to decide whether or not this tradition is something you want to follow. For couples that don't identify as a bride and groom, or if there are two brides, names are typically listed in alphabetical order.

2. Do you write guests' full names on the wedding invitations?
If following proper wedding invitation etiquette, yes. When you are addressing your invitation envelopes, you should spell their names out in full (title, first name, middle name (optional), and last name). Avoid using nicknames or initials. Be sure to use appropriate social titles as well, addressing married couples as "Mr. and Mrs." or "Mr. and Mr."

3. How should you write the dress code on a wedding invitation?
Stuck on wedding invitation verbiage etiquette for requesting a specific dress code? As we mentioned earlier, this should be stated at the bottom of your invitations, on a separate insert card or on your wedding website. There are a few different ways to phrase this information. Try these if you're looking for something concise to add to your invitation:

• Black tie optional
• Cocktail attire
• Dress casual

4. What are some modern wedding invitation wording examples?
Traditional style wedding invitations are not for everyone. If you want to avoid old-school language and formality, take inspiration from one of the following phrases for a more modern and creative way to share your news:

• We'd love you by our sides as we exchange vows…
• Join us as we say, “I do”
• We’re getting hitched, so join us at...
• Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, two people met and fell in love. And now, they're getting married! Please join Sara and Steven as they tie the knot
• Come help us celebrate our love
• Love knows no bounds. And on Sunday 21st July, Ian and Joe will be tying the knot. Please join us in celebrating our love and commitment to each other, no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation.
• We’re making it officially ‘official’ on 1st August 2024, and you’re cordially invited!
• Alternatively, you may choose to include a meaningful poem or song lyric on your invitation – a popular trend for 2024.