Wedding invitation wording: 50 ready-to-use examples, from formal to casual

Wedding invitation wording is one of those things that looks easy until you sit down with a blank card. Who goes first, your names or your parents'? Is it “honor” or “pleasure”? How do you say no kids without sounding cold, or mention the registry without sounding greedy? Below you'll find 50 ready-to-use wording examples, grouped by situation, plus the structure every invitation follows and the mistakes that cause the most confusion among guests.

What to include on a wedding invitation

Whatever the style, a wedding invitation needs to answer the same questions. Write them in this order and your guests will never have to text you to ask.

1. The hosts: traditionally the people paying for the wedding (the bride's parents, both families, or the couple themselves).
2. The request line: the invitation itself (“request the honor of your presence”, “invite you to celebrate”).
3. The couple's names: first and middle names for the person whose parents are hosting, full names for the other partner.
4. Date and time: on formal invitations the date and year are spelled out (“Saturday, the twelfth of June”).
5. The ceremony venue: name of the venue, then the city and state. The full street address can go on a details card or in the digital invitation.
6. The reception line: “Reception to follow” if it's at the same place, or the reception venue and time if it's elsewhere.
7. The RSVP: a deadline and how to reply (a card, a phone number, a website or a reply form).
8. Optional extras: dress code, the gift list, accommodation, transport, whether children are invited.

Formal wedding invitation wording hosted by the bride's parents

This is the most traditional form. The parents' names come first, the bride is named by her first and middle names only (her last name is already theirs), and the groom gets his full name.

1. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose to Mr. James Carter, Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon, St. Mary's Church, Charleston, South Carolina. Reception to follow.
2. Together with their families, Mr. and Mrs. David Lin request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Grace Mei to Daniel Brooks, Saturday, the fourth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock, Rosewood Estate, Napa, California. Dinner and dancing to follow.
3. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Sophie Anne to Mr. Oliver Grant, at Holy Trinity Church, York, on Saturday the third of July at two o'clock, and afterwards at Middlethorpe Hall.
4. Dr. and Mrs. Michael Reyes joyfully request the honor of your presence as their daughter Isabella Marie is united in marriage with Lucas Bennett, Saturday, May the twentieth, at three o'clock, Cathedral of St. Paul, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
5. Mrs. Karen Doyle requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Megan Elizabeth to Ryan Patel. (Use this form when one parent is hosting alone; a widowed mother may also write “Mrs. John Doyle”.)
6. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stewart and Ms. Linda Moore request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Hannah Claire to Ethan Ross. (Divorced parents hosting together: each on their own line, the mother usually first.)

When both families host

1. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes and Mr. and Mrs. Alan Carter request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Emily Rose and James Michael, Saturday, the twelfth of June, at four o'clock.
2. Together with their families, Emily Hayes and James Carter invite you to celebrate their marriage, Saturday, June 12, 2027, at 4 p.m., The Glasshouse, Charleston.
3. Emily Rose, daughter of Robert and Susan Hayes, and James Michael, son of Alan and Diane Carter, request the pleasure of your company as they begin their life together.
4. With joy in their hearts, the Hayes and Carter families invite you to the wedding of Emily and James.
5. Susan and Robert Hayes, together with Diane and Alan Carter, would be delighted to have you join them for the marriage of their children.

When the couple hosts

More and more couples pay for their own wedding, or simply prefer to invite in their own names. In that case you come first, and you can still mention your families warmly.

1. Emily Hayes and James Carter request the pleasure of your company at their marriage, Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock, The Glasshouse, Charleston. Dinner and dancing to follow.
2. Together with their families, Grace Lin and Daniel Brooks invite you to celebrate their wedding.
3. Ms. Natalie Price and Mr. Adam Klein invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows.
4. Sam and Jordan are getting married, and we'd love for you to be there. Saturday, August 14, 3 p.m., Willow Creek Farm.
5. Alex Moreno and Chris Taylor, with their parents, invite you to their wedding celebration.

Casual and modern wedding invitation wording

1. We're getting married! Join us for love, laughter and a very good party. Saturday, June 12, 4 p.m., The Glasshouse.
2. Emily and James are tying the knot, and it wouldn't be the same without you.
3. Eat, drink and be married. Join Grace and Daniel for their wedding celebration.
4. After 8 years, 3 apartments and 1 very spoiled dog, we're finally making it official.
5. We said yes, now we're saying I do. Come celebrate with us.
6. Two hearts, one big party. You're invited to the wedding of Megan and Ryan.
7. Grab your dancing shoes: Hannah and Ethan are getting married!
8. We found our person. Now we'd love to celebrate with our people.
9. Love is in the air, and so is the smell of barbecue. Join us for a backyard wedding.

Small, civil or second wedding

1. Emily and James invite you to a small ceremony at City Hall, followed by lunch at Bistro Marcel. Just the people we love most.
2. We're keeping it small and keeping it special. Join us as we say our vows, Saturday at noon.
3. Megan and Ryan joyfully invite you to celebrate their marriage, a new chapter written together.
4. Together with their children, Lisa Grant and Mark Evans invite you to the celebration of their marriage. (A lovely way to include children from previous relationships.)
5. We eloped! Now we'd love to celebrate with you. Join us for a reception in honor of Emily and James, Saturday, September 4, 7 p.m.

Religious wedding invitation wording

1. With joy and thanksgiving to God, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose to James Carter, at the celebration of the Nuptial Mass.
2. Two lives, two hearts, joined together in friendship and united forever in love. Please join us for the marriage of Grace and Daniel in the presence of God and their families.
3. Mr. and Mrs. David Cohen and Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Levy invite you to share in the joy of the marriage of their children Rachel and Benjamin.
4. Praising God for the love He has given us, Hannah and Ethan invite you to witness and celebrate their marriage.

Adults-only wedding wording

The polite way to say no kids is to address the invitation only to the adults who are invited, then add a gentle line on the RSVP card or the invitation page. Never write “no children” in the main text.

• We love your little ones, but this will be an adults-only celebration.
• While we adore your children, our wedding will be an adults-only affair. We hope this gives you a well-deserved night off!
• We have reserved 2 seats in your honor.
• Respectfully, an adults-only event.
• To let all our guests relax and celebrate, we've chosen to keep our day adults only. Thank you for understanding.

Destination wedding invitation wording

1. Pack your bags! Emily and James invite you to celebrate their wedding on the island of Santorini, Greece, Saturday, June 12, 2027.
2. Join us in Tuscany for a weekend of love, wine and celebration as Grace and Daniel say I do. Welcome dinner Friday, wedding Saturday, farewell brunch Sunday.
3. Together with their families, Megan and Ryan invite you to their wedding by the sea in Tulum, Mexico. Travel and accommodation details are on our page.
4. We're getting married under the Lisbon sun, and we'd love you there with us.

Reception-only and evening invitations

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes request the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception of their daughter Emily and James Carter, Saturday, the twelfth of June, at seven o'clock.
• Emily and James would love you to join them for the evening celebration of their wedding, from 7 p.m. at The Glasshouse.
• Please join us for an evening of dinner, drinks and dancing in celebration of the marriage of Grace and Daniel.

RSVP wording for wedding invitations

The RSVP line should give a clear deadline and one clear way to reply. Three to four weeks before the wedding is standard, so you have time to give final numbers to the caterer. If you're unsure what RSVP means or how guests should answer, see our guide to RSVP meaning and etiquette.

• The favor of a reply is requested by the fifteenth of May.
• Kindly respond by May 15.
• Please RSVP by May 15 using the form below.
• Let us know if you can make it by May 15, so we can save you a seat (and a slice of cake).
• Please reply by May 15 and let us know of any dietary requirements.
• Joyfully accepts / Regretfully declines. (The two options on a classic reply card.)
• We have reserved __ seats in your honor. Please reply by May 15.
• Can't wait to celebrate with you! Tap below to tell us if you're coming.

Gift and registry wording

Etiquette says the registry is never printed on the invitation itself. Put it on the wedding website or in a separate section of a digital invitation, with a light tone.

• Your presence is the greatest gift of all. For those who have asked, our registry is here.
• Having you with us is all we wish for. If you'd like to give a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would be warmly appreciated.
• We've lived together for a few years and already have a toaster. If you'd like to give us something, a little help towards our first home would mean the world.
• No boxes, please: your love and laughter are gift enough. If you'd still like to give, you'll find our details below.
• In lieu of gifts, we'd love you to make a donation to a charity close to our hearts.

Dress code wording

• Black tie.
• Formal attire requested.
• Cocktail attire.
• Garden party chic: think florals and comfortable shoes, the ceremony is on the lawn.
• Dress to impress, then dance all night.
• Smart casual. No ties required.

What to write in the message when you send a digital invitation

If you send your invitation by WhatsApp, text or email, the message that goes with the link matters too. Keep it short and personal. Our digital wedding invitation opens like a letter, so the message only has to make them tap.

• Hi Aunt Carol! We're getting married and we'd love you to be there. Here's our invitation, with all the details and the RSVP: [link]
• It's official! Here's our wedding invitation. Please let us know by May 15 if you can make it.
• Save your dancing shoes for June 12. Everything you need to know is here: [link]
• We couldn't wait to send this to you. Open it when you have a minute, there's a little surprise inside.

Save the date wording

A save the date is shorter than the invitation: your names, the date, the city and a line saying the formal invitation will follow. No RSVP, no times, no registry. Send it six to eight months before the wedding, up to a year ahead for a destination wedding. You can see a finished one in our save the date example.

1. Save the date. Emily Hayes and James Carter, June 12, 2027, Charleston, South Carolina. Invitation to follow.
2. Please save the date for the wedding of Grace Lin and Daniel Brooks, September 4, 2027, Napa Valley. Formal invitation to follow.
3. We're getting married! Keep June 12 free for us. More details soon.
4. Mark your calendars: Megan and Ryan are saying I do. 06.12.2027, Lake Como, Italy.
5. Book the flights, we're getting married in Portugal! Save the date: May 20, 2027.
6. We're getting hitched! Save the date: August 14.
7. Cancel your plans. On June 12, you're coming to our wedding.
8. The adventure begins: save the date for our wedding, 12 June 2027.

A digital save the date adds the one thing paper can't: a button that puts the day straight into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. And when the invitation is ready, the same link can become the full invitation.

When to send wedding invitations

Mistakes to avoid

• Mixing styles: a spelled-out formal date next to “Let's party!” looks unplanned. Pick a tone and keep it.
• Forgetting the year, the time or the city. It happens more often than you think, especially on homemade invitations.
• No RSVP deadline, or a deadline that's too close to the wedding.
• Writing “no kids” or the registry in the main text instead of a separate card or section.
• Using “and family” on the envelope when you don't actually mean the children.
• Typos in names. Have someone else read every name aloud before you print or send.
• Sending invitations before the venue and the time are final.

Want to see it first? Have a look at the wedding invitation example. And once the invitations are out, you may need words for the big day itself: our guide on how to write wedding vows has structure, tips and examples.