The Most Important Words You'll Write (Before "I Do")
Your wedding invitation is the first impression of your big day.
It sets the tone. It signals the formality. It tells your guests exactly what kind of celebration to expect.
And let's be honest — writing it is way harder than it should be.
Should you use traditional wording or go modern? Who gets listed as the host? Is it "honour" or "honor"? What if your parents are divorced? What if you're paying for it yourselves?
Deep breath. I've got you covered.
This guide includes 50+ wedding invitation wording examples for every style, situation, and level of formality. Plus the etiquette rules you need to know so you don't accidentally offend Great Aunt Mildred.
Find your style, copy the wording, and customize it. That's literally all you have to do. 💒
Wedding Invitation Anatomy: What Goes Where
Before we dive into examples, let's break down the structure of a wedding invitation. Every invitation — formal or casual — follows a similar framework:
- 1Host line: Who is hosting/paying for the wedding
- 2Request line: The invitation itself ("request the pleasure of your company...")
- 3Couple's names: The bride and groom (or partners)
- 4Date and time: When it's happening
- 5Venue: Where it's happening
- 6Reception line: Details about the reception (if separate from ceremony)
- 7RSVP information: How and when to respond
The level of formality determines how each element is phrased. Formal invitations spell everything out. Casual ones take a more relaxed approach.
Let's see both — and everything in between.
Traditional / Formal Wedding Invitation Wording
Traditional wording follows centuries of etiquette. If you're having a formal ceremony in a house of worship or a black-tie reception, this is your starting point.
Related Reading
Bride's Parents Hosting (Most Traditional)
Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Full Name]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
[Bride's First and Middle Name]
to
[Groom's First, Middle, and Last Name]
son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Full Name]
on [Day of Week], the [Date spelled out]
at [Time spelled out]
[Venue Name]
[City, State]
Key etiquette notes:
- "Honour" (British spelling) is used for religious ceremonies
- The bride's last name is traditionally omitted (she shares her parents' last name)
- Dates and times are fully spelled out
- No abbreviations anywhere
Both Parents Hosting
Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Father's Full Name]
and
Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Full Name]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
[Bride's Full Name]
and
[Groom's Full Name]
on [Date]
at [Time]
[Venue]
[City, State]
Couple Hosting Themselves (Formal)
[Bride's Full Name]
and
[Groom's Full Name]
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
on [Date]
at [Time]
[Venue]
[City, State]
Reception to follow
Note: "Pleasure of your company" is used for secular ceremonies. "Honour of your presence" is reserved for religious ceremonies in a house of worship.
Modern / Semi-Formal Wedding Invitation Wording
Most weddings today fall somewhere between ultra-formal and super casual. Modern wording keeps the elegance but ditches the stuffiness.
"Together with Their Families" (The Universal Favorite)
Together with their families
[Bride's Full Name]
and
[Groom's Full Name]
invite you to celebrate their marriage
[Day], [Month] [Date], [Year]
at [Time]
[Venue Name]
[Address]
[City, State]
Dinner and dancing to follow
Please RSVP by [Date]
This is the most popular modern format because it acknowledges both families without the complexity of listing multiple sets of parents, stepparents, etc.
Parents and Couple Co-Hosting
[Bride's Parents' Names]
and
[Groom's Parents' Names]
joyfully invite you to the wedding of
[Bride's Name]
&
[Groom's Name]
[Date] at [Time]
[Venue]
[City, State]
Reception immediately following
RSVP by [Date]
Couple Hosting (Modern)
[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]
are getting married!
Join us to celebrate
[Date]
[Time]
[Venue Name]
[Address]
Cocktails, dinner, and dancing
RSVP by [Date] at [RSVP link]
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording
Having a backyard wedding, beach ceremony, or intimate gathering? Casual wording feels warm, personal, and inviting — without the formality.
Warm and Personal
We're getting married!
[Bride's Name] & [Groom's Name]
We would love for you to be there as we say "I do."
📅 [Date]
⏰ [Time]
📍 [Venue / Location]
Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow the ceremony.
Please let us know if you can make it by [Date]:
[RSVP link]
Fun and Playful
We decided to keep each other forever! 💍
[Name] + [Name] are tying the knot
and we want YOU there!
[Date] • [Time]
[Venue]
[City, State]
Eat. Drink. Dance. Celebrate.
RSVP: [Link or contact]
Dress code: Whatever makes you feel fabulous
Short and Sweet
[Bride] & [Groom]
are getting hitched!
Come celebrate with us.
[Date] | [Time] | [Location]
RSVP by [Date]
Special Situation Wording
Real families are complicated. Here's wording for every scenario:
Divorced Parents (Bride's Side)
Mrs. [Mother's Current Full Name]
and
Mr. [Father's Full Name]
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
[Bride's Name]
to
[Groom's Full Name]
[Date] at [Time]
[Venue]
Etiquette tip: The parent with whom the bride is closest is typically listed first. If relationships are equal, the mother is traditionally listed first.
Divorced and Remarried Parents
Mrs. [Mother's Name] and Mr. [Stepfather's Name]
and
Mr. [Father's Name] and Mrs. [Stepmother's Name]
joyfully invite you to the wedding of
[Bride's Name]
and
[Groom's Name]
[Details]
Pro tip: If the family situation is complex, the "Together with their families" line is your best friend. It honors everyone without navigating a minefield of names and titles.
Deceased Parent
[Bride's Full Name]
daughter of Mrs. [Living Parent] and the late Mr. [Deceased Parent]
and
[Groom's Full Name]
son of Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names]
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
[Details]
Second Marriage
[Bride's Full Name]
and
[Groom's Full Name]
together with their families
invite you to celebrate their marriage
[Date] at [Time]
[Venue]
Dinner and celebration to follow
Keep it simple and forward-looking. No need to reference previous marriages.
Same-Sex Couple
[Name]
and
[Name]
together with their families
joyfully invite you to celebrate their marriage
[Date] at [Time]
[Venue]
[City, State]
Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow
RSVP by [Date]
The wording is identical to any other wedding. Names are typically listed alphabetically or by personal preference.
Destination Wedding Wording
Destination weddings need extra information — travel details, accommodations, and timing.
Formal Destination
Together with their families
[Bride's Name]
and
[Groom's Name]
invite you to join them for their destination wedding
[Date]
[Venue Name]
[City, Country]
Ceremony at [Time]
Reception to follow
Accommodation and travel details:
[Wedding website URL]
Kindly RSVP by [Date]
Casual Destination
We're saying "I do" in paradise! 🌴
[Name] & [Name] are getting married in [Destination]
and we'd love you to be there!
📅 [Date]
📍 [Venue, City, Country]
All the travel details, hotel blocks, and fun stuff:
[Wedding website URL]
RSVP by [Date]: [Link]
We know it's a trip — no pressure. But it wouldn't be the same without you!
RSVP Wording for Wedding Invitations
Your RSVP section is critical. Make it clear, specific, and easy.
Traditional RSVP Wording
The favour of a reply is requested
by the [Date] of [Month], [Year]
Modern RSVP Wording
Kindly respond by [Date]
[RSVP method — website, email, or phone]
Digital RSVP Wording
Please RSVP by [Date] at:
[Digital RSVP link]
Select your meal preference when you respond!
Using a digital RSVP platform is a game-changer for weddings. You can collect meal choices, dietary restrictions, song requests, and plus-one details — all automatically.
Create your wedding RSVP page on DigitalRSVPs and track every response in real time. For best practices, read our guide to tracking RSVPs.
Create Beautiful Digital Invitations
Free stunning templates, RSVP tracking, guest management, and more. Ready in minutes.
Try DigitalRSVPs FreeReception Card Wording
If your reception is at a different location or you want to include extra details:
Reception at Same Venue
Reception immediately following the ceremony
Reception at Different Venue
Reception to follow
[Venue Name]
[Address]
Cocktail hour at [Time]
Dinner and dancing at [Time]
Adults-Only Reception
Reception to follow at [Venue]
We respectfully request an adults-only celebration.
Wedding Invitation Wording Tips
Here are the most important tips to get your wording right:
1. Match the Wording to Your Wedding Style
Your invitation should feel like a preview of your wedding. A formal, traditional ceremony deserves formal wording. A beach wedding with flip-flops calls for something casual and fun.
Mismatched tone confuses guests about what to expect — including what to wear.
2. Proofread Everything (Then Proofread Again)
Triple-check:
- Spelling of every name (especially your future in-laws')
- Date and time accuracy
- Venue address
- RSVP deadline
Have at least two other people proofread before you finalize. Fresh eyes catch mistakes yours won't.
3. Be Explicit About Plus-Ones
If guests can bring a date, say so: "[Guest Name] and Guest" on the invitation, or include a plus-one field on your RSVP form.
If it's a solo invite, address only the invited person. Don't assume people will know — they won't. See our RSVP etiquette guide for more on handling plus-ones.
4. Include Your Wedding Website
Your invitation doesn't need to include every detail. That's what your wedding website is for. Include the URL on your invitation for:
- Travel and accommodation details
- Registry information (never on the invitation itself)
- Wedding party details
- FAQs and additional information
- Online RSVP form
5. Send Invitations 8-12 Weeks Before
Standard wedding invitation timing:
- Save-the-dates: 6-8 months before
- Invitations: 8-12 weeks before
- RSVP deadline: 3-4 weeks before the wedding
For destination weddings, add 2-4 extra weeks to each timeframe.
Digital invitations through DigitalRSVPs can be sent instantly, but it's still good etiquette to send them within the traditional timeframe. Learn more about digital vs. paper invitations and which is right for your wedding.
Your Wedding Invitation, Your Way
Here's what I want you to take away from this guide:
There is no single "correct" way to word a wedding invitation.
There are traditions. There are guidelines. There are etiquette conventions. And they all have their place.
But at the end of the day, your wedding invitation should sound like YOU. If you're formal people, be formal. If you're fun and casual, let that shine through. If you're somewhere in between, that's perfect too.
The only non-negotiable? Include all the essential details and make it easy for guests to RSVP.
Speaking of which — create your wedding invitation and RSVP page on DigitalRSVPs in minutes. Beautiful designs, built-in RSVP tracking, meal preference collection, and automated reminders for the guests who forget (you know who they are).
Your love story is unique. Your invitation should be too. 💕
More Wedding Planning Resources
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Written by
DigitalRSVPs Team
Helping you create beautiful digital invitations and manage RSVPs for unforgettable events.
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