Wedding Invitation Wording: Templates for Every Style, Host, and Situation

TLDR: Wedding invitation wording communicates who is hosting, the formality of the event, and the essential details guests need. Whether you want traditional formal wording, modern casual phrasing, or something in between, the structure follows a consistent pattern. ThePerfectWedding.com's stationery experts provide ready-to-use templates for every hosting situation (parents hosting, couple hosting, both families, divorced parents) and every formality level.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Wedding invitations should be sent 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding (8 to 12 weeks for destination weddings) (Source: The Knot, 2025)
• The most popular invitation style: semi-formal with modern wording (Source: WeddingWire)
• Never include registry information on the wedding invitation itself (Source: Brides.com)
• Digital invitations are acceptable for casual and semi-formal weddings but physical invitations remain preferred for formal events (Source: Zola)
• Browse stationery on our invitation page on ThePerfectWedding.com

The Standard Invitation Structure

Every wedding invitation, regardless of formality, follows this order:

• Host line: Who is inviting (parents, couple, or both)
• Request line: "request the honor of your presence" (religious) or "request the pleasure of your company" (secular)
• Couple's names: Full names of both partners
• Date and time: Written out formally or casually depending on tone
• Venue: Full name and address
• Reception line: "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• RSVP information: Deadline and method (see our RSVP guide)

Templates by Hosting Situation

Parents of the bride hosting (most traditional)

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents' Names]request the honor of your presenceat the marriage of their daughter[Bride's Full Name]to[Partner's Full Name][son/daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Partner's Parents' Names]on [Day], the [Date] of [Month]at [Time][Venue Name][City, State]Reception to follow"

Both sets of parents hosting

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents]andMr. and Mrs. [Partner's Parents]request the pleasure of your companyat the marriage of[Bride's Full Name]and[Partner's Full Name][Date, Time, Venue]"

Couple hosting themselves

"[Bride's Full Name]and[Partner's Full Name]request the pleasure of your companyat their wedding[Date, Time, Venue]"

Or more casually: "Together with their families,[Bride] and [Partner]invite you to celebrate their marriage[Date, Time, Venue]"

Divorced parents of the bride hosting

List each parent on a separate line. The parent who raised the bride or contributed most is listed first. Do not use "Mr. and Mrs." for divorced parents.

"[Mother's Full Name]and[Father's Full Name]request the pleasure of your companyat the marriage of their daughter[Bride's Full Name]..."

Remarried parents

Include stepparents by listing the biological parent with their current spouse:

"[Mother's Full Name] and Mr. [Stepfather's Full Name]and[Father's Full Name] and Mrs. [Stepmother's Full Name]request the pleasure of your company..."

Same-sex couples

List both names in alphabetical order or in the order the couple prefers. There is no "bride listed first" rule for same-sex couples. All wording templates above work with any gender combination by swapping names and pronouns.

Templates by Formality

Ultra-formal

Spell out everything: dates, times, and numbers. "Saturday, the twenty-first of June, two thousand twenty-six, at half past four o'clock in the afternoon." Use "request the honour of your presence" (British spelling of honour) for religious ceremonies.

Semi-formal (most popular)

Mix formal structure with readable language. "Saturday, June 21, 2026, at 4:30 PM." Use "request the pleasure of your company." Write venue name and city without the full street address (guests find directions on the website).

Modern casual

Relaxed, personal language. "[Bride] and [Partner] are getting married! Join us to celebrate on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue]. Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow. RSVP at [website]." This works for casual outdoor, backyard, and intimate weddings.

Playful or creative

"After [X] years of dating, [Number] apartments, and [Number] dogs, [Bride] and [Partner] are finally making it official. We would love for you to be there. [Date, Time, Venue]." Personal, fun, and memorable. Best for couples whose personality is part of the brand.

What Else to Include

Dress code

Include on the invitation or on a separate details card: "Black tie," "Cocktail attire," "Festive attire," or "Dressy casual." Guests appreciate clarity. See our dress code guide.

Wedding website URL

Include on a details card or the invitation itself: "For details and RSVP, visit [website]." This directs guests to accommodation info, registry, directions, and RSVP.

Accommodation information

Include on a separate card or direct to the website: "A block of rooms has been reserved at [Hotel] at a special rate. Book by [Date]."

What NOT to include on the invitation

• Registry information (this goes on the website only)
• Meal choices (this goes on the RSVP card)
• "No gifts" or "no children" (communicate through the website or word of mouth, not the invitation)

Addressing Envelopes

Formal addressing

"Mr. and Mrs. [Full Name]" for married couples. "Ms. [Full Name] and Mr. [Full Name]" for unmarried couples living together. "Dr. and Mr./Mrs. [Name]" for couples where one holds a doctorate.

Modern addressing

"The [Family Last Name] Family" for families. "[First Name] and [First Name] [Last Name]" for couples. Use the names people actually go by, not their legal names if they differ.

Plus ones

If a guest receives a plus one, address the envelope to the guest "and Guest." If you know the partner's name, use it: "[Guest Name] and [Partner Name]." See our plus one etiquette guide.

Expert Tip: "The invitation sets the tone for everything that follows. A formal, engraved invitation tells guests to expect a black-tie evening. A playful, colorful digital invitation tells them to expect a casual celebration. Match the invitation's tone to the event's reality. Nothing disappoints guests more than receiving a grand formal invitation and arriving at a backyard barbecue, or vice versa. The invitation is a promise. Make sure the wedding delivers on it."

Sarah Glasbergen, Founder at ThePerfectWedding.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send digital invitations?

For casual and semi-formal weddings, yes. Platforms like Paperless Post and Greenvelope offer beautiful digital invitations. For formal and black-tie weddings, physical invitations are still strongly preferred. The formality of the invitation should match the formality of the event.

When should I send save-the-dates vs. invitations?

Save-the-dates: 6 to 8 months before. Invitations: 6 to 8 weeks before (8 to 12 for destination). Save-the-dates are a heads-up. Invitations are the formal request with all details.

Do I need inner and outer envelopes?

Traditional formal invitations use both (outer envelope for mailing, inner envelope with guest names for formality). Modern invitations typically use one envelope, which is simpler and less expensive. Either approach is correct.

How do I word an invitation for a ceremony-only wedding (no reception)?

Simply omit the "reception to follow" line. Add: "Please join us for the ceremony" or "Ceremony at [Time]. Light refreshments to follow." Be clear so guests do not expect a full reception.

More Stationery and Planning Guides on ThePerfectWedding.com

Browse stationery on our invitation page. See our RSVP etiquette, thank you cards, registry etiquette, gift etiquette, seating chart, vendor tipping, and rehearsal dinner guides. Decode formality with our dress code guide. Plan with our 12-month checklist. Find stationers on our vendor directory.