Wedding invitation wording for the Philippines: parents, principal sponsors, motif and RSVP

A Filipino wedding invitation does a bit more than a standard one. It often names both sets of parents, lists the principal sponsors, mentions the entourage and describes the motif, and then asks for a reply and, quietly, for gifts. Couples who want a modern, short card still find that relatives expect to see certain names and details, and leaving them out can create awkward questions. This guide shows you how to word each part so it sounds right to your guests.

For general wedding wording that is not specific to the Philippines, see our guide to wedding invitation wording. Here we focus on what Filipino couples ask most: the parents' lines, the principal sponsors, the motif, “kindly RSVP” and the cash gift line.

What a Filipino wedding invitation usually includes

1. The names of the couple, usually with a short line like “together with their parents”.
2. The names of both sets of parents, often under the couple's names.
3. The invitation line (“request the honor of your presence”, “invite you to celebrate”).
4. The date and time of the ceremony.
5. The church and its address.
6. The reception venue and its time.
7. The principal sponsors and, on some cards, the entourage.
8. The motif and the dress code.
9. The RSVP, with a date and a way to reply.
10. A short gift line, if the couple wants one.

Main invitation texts

1. Together with their parents, Mark Anthony Reyes and Katrina Joy Santos request the honor of your presence at their wedding on Saturday, the twelfth of December, at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Cubao, Quezon City.
2. With joy in our hearts and the blessings of our families, we invite you to witness our wedding. Please join us for the ceremony and the reception that follows.
3. Two hearts, one love. Please celebrate with Paolo and Bea as they say “I do”.
4. After seven years of love and friendship, we are getting married! We would be honored to have you with us.
5. We invite you to share in our happiness as we begin our life together. Your presence and your prayers mean the world to us.
6. Please be with us on the day we become Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz. Ceremony at 4:00 p.m., reception to follow.
7. God has written our love story, and we'd like you to be part of the next chapter. Join us for our wedding.
8. The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Angelica Marie and Joshua Daniel.
9. We're getting married, and we want you there! Ceremony, dinner, and a long night of dancing.
10. With the blessing of God and our parents, we invite you to our wedding. Come as our guest and leave as our family.

Lines for the parents

In many families the parents' names are an important part of the card, and are usually listed under the couple, the groom's family on one side and the bride's on the other. Use the style your families are used to.

1. Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Santos · Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Reyes (parents of the bride and the groom).
2. Together with their parents: Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Santos of Marikina and Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Reyes of Cebu City.
3. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Reyes · Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Santos.
4. With their families, Katrina and Mark invite you to celebrate their wedding.
5. In loving memory of the late Mr. Ramon Santos, Katrina and Mark invite you to their wedding. (A gentle way to remember a parent who has passed away.)
6. Hosted by their parents: Mrs. Luz Santos and Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Reyes.

Principal sponsors and the entourage

Principal sponsors (the ninongs and ninangs of the wedding) are traditionally couples who have a special place in the couple's or their families' lives. It is common to list them on the card or in a separate insert, often in two columns, with the couple's name in a single line. A digital invitation lets you put the list in the notes, so the main page stays clean. Always ask people before you list them, and agree on the exact way their names are written.

Texts to ask sponsors (send privately):

• Ninong Ben and Ninang Cora, you have been like second parents to me. Would you be our principal sponsors at our wedding?
• We would be honored if you would stand with us as our principal sponsors on the 12th of December. Your guidance has meant so much to us.
• Tito Arnel and Tita Mai, will you be our ninong and ninang on our wedding day? We would be so happy to have you by our side.

Lines to use on the invitation:

• Our principal sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cruz · Dr. and Mrs. Arnel Mendoza · Engr. and Mrs. Felix Tan · Judge and Mrs. Roberto Lim
• Our ninongs and ninangs, whose love and guidance we treasure: see the list below.
• Entourage: Best man: Carlo Reyes · Maid of honor: Bianca Santos · Bridesmaids and groomsmen: see the full list below.
• To our entourage, thank you for standing with us. Please arrive at the church by 1:30 p.m. for photos and lining up.
• Flower girls: Mia and Sofia Reyes · Ring bearer: Lucas Santos · Coin bearer: Gabriel Cruz · Bible bearer: Noah Tan

Ceremony and reception lines

1. Ceremony: 3:00 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish, Cubao, Quezon City. Guests are requested to be seated by 2:45.
2. Reception to follow at the Manila Hotel, Grand Ballroom, at 6:00 p.m. Cocktails from 5:30.
3. Lunch reception at Casa Verde, Tagaytay, immediately after the ceremony.
4. Parking is available at the church and at the hotel. Shuttle service will be provided from the church to the reception for guests who wish.
5. Please arrive early. The church is strict about starting on time.
6. Our wedding will be an intimate affair. We kindly ask that only those named on the invitation attend.
7. Church attire is requested: no shorts, no sleeveless tops and no slippers.

Motif and dress code lines

1. Motif: dusty blue and champagne. Guests are welcome to wear these colors, or neutral tones.
2. Dress code: formal. Barong Tagalog or suit for men, long or midi dress for ladies.
3. Please avoid wearing white, ivory or cream, which are reserved for the bride and her entourage.
4. Theme: Rustic Garden. Comfortable shoes recommended, since the reception will be outdoors.
5. Filipiniana is welcome and encouraged for ladies, and barong for gentlemen.
6. Principal sponsors, please wear your assigned colors: ninongs in barong, ninangs in dusty blue.

“Kindly RSVP” lines

For the standard phrases and what they mean, see RSVP meaning and etiquette. For a Filipino wedding, the most useful thing is to make the deadline firm and to give one way to reply, since the caterer and the venue need a final count.

1. Kindly RSVP on or before the 15th of November.
2. Kindly confirm your attendance by the 15th of November using the reply form on this invitation.
3. Kindly RSVP to Ate Joanna at 09XX XXX XXXX by November 15.
4. Due to limited seating, we ask that you reply before the deadline. We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins.
5. Your reservation card is enclosed. Seats reserved: 2. Kindly confirm.
6. Our wedding will be an adults-only celebration. Thank you for understanding.
7. If you cannot attend, please let us know too, so we can offer your seat to someone else.

Gift lines: “kindly give cash gifts”, politely

In the Philippines, many guests give money at weddings, and many couples prefer it because they already have a household. But it is not easy to ask. The best lines are short, warm and put the focus on the guest's presence first. Put them near the end, after the RSVP, and avoid listing amounts or bank details on the main page.

1. Your presence is the greatest gift of all. Should you wish to give something, monetary gifts are appreciated.
2. Having you there is all we need. If you'd like to bless us with a gift, a contribution to our new home would be much appreciated.
3. As we already have a home together, we'd welcome monetary gifts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
4. Your love and prayers are the best gifts. If you wish to give, monetary gifts will help us begin our married life.
5. Gifts are not expected. If you wish to give, we kindly request cash gifts instead of items. Thank you for understanding.
6. Kindly give cash gifts only. Maraming salamat po!

A short warning about wording. “Kindly give cash gifts” on its own can feel direct to some guests, so most couples add a line about the guests' presence first. And if your invitation is online, it is better to avoid putting bank or e-wallet numbers where the whole group chat can see them. Share these privately, only with those who ask.

A complete sample

• Headline: Katrina and Mark are getting married!
• Main text: Together with their parents, Katrina Joy Santos and Mark Anthony Reyes request the honor of your presence at their wedding on Saturday, December 12, at 3:00 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish, Cubao, Quezon City.
• Reception: Manila Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 6:00 p.m. Cocktails from 5:30.
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Santos · Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Reyes
• Motif: dusty blue and champagne. Please avoid white and ivory.
• Principal sponsors: see the list below.
• Kindly RSVP by November 15 using the reply form.
• Gift line: Your presence is the greatest gift. Monetary gifts are appreciated.

Putting it all in a digital invitation

A digital wedding invitation on LoveStorySpace is a scrolling web page that opens like a sealed envelope. It is not a video file: you share it as a link on Messenger, Viber or WhatsApp. It shows your names, the countdown, your photos, the ceremony and the reception on a map with directions, an add-to-calendar button and a reply form with the guest count. Your parents, principal sponsors, entourage, motif and gift line go in the notes, written the way you would print them. Relatives abroad open the same link as everyone else, and guests need no app or account.

Creating and previewing is free. To publish, it is one payment of about 19 USD for 12 months online, with unlimited replies and no subscription. The exact price in your currency is shown at checkout. You can also see the wedding invitation example first.

Common mistakes

• Listing sponsors before asking them. Always ask first.
• Not stating the motif clearly, and ending up with guests in white.
• Leaving the reception time off the card, so guests don't know what to do after the ceremony.
• Setting the RSVP deadline too close to the wedding. Three to four weeks before is safer.
• Posting bank or e-wallet details in the group chat.
• Forgetting that older relatives may prefer a printed card. Give them one with the link or the QR code.