Wedding Invitation Wording: 50+ Examples and Templates for Every Style

What Actually Needs to Go on Your Invitation

Okay, so you need to write your wedding invitations and you're staring at a blank page wondering what the heck you're supposed to say. Don't worry – it's actually pretty straightforward once you know what information people need.

Every invitation needs to answer the basic questions: who's getting married, when, where, and who's inviting everyone. You'll also want to tell people how to RSVP and whether there's a reception after the ceremony.

The traditional format goes something like this: who's hosting (usually parents, but not always), some version of "you're invited," the couple's names, the date and time, where it's happening, and any reception info. But honestly, you can mix this up however feels right to you.

When You Want to Sound Fancy and Traditional

Some people love the formal, traditional wedding invitation vibe. If you're having a church ceremony, a ballroom reception, or just like the classic feel, here are some examples that sound appropriately fancy.

The most traditional format is when parents are hosting and paying for the wedding. It sounds very formal and proper, which some families really love:

If both sets of parents are hosting together (maybe they're splitting costs or just want to be included), you can list them both:

And if your parents are divorced but can handle being on the same invitation together (lucky you!), just list them both with their individual names:

For When You Want to Sound Like Actual Humans

Not everyone wants the super formal "honour of your presence" thing. Maybe you're having a backyard BBQ reception or getting married at a brewery or just want your invitations to sound like something you would actually say. Here are some options that sound way more relaxed.

If you're paying for your own wedding (welcome to adulthood!), you can just invite people yourselves:

Or if you want to be even more casual and fun about it:

If you've been living together forever and this feels more like making it official than a huge life change:

When Your Situation is a Little More Complicated

Life doesn't always follow the traditional script, and that's totally fine. Maybe this isn't your first wedding, or you have kids, or you've lost a parent. Here's how to handle the wording for different situations.

If this is a second marriage for one or both of you, you can keep it simple and classy:

If you want to honor a parent who has passed away, you can include them like this:

And if you have kids from previous relationships who are part of this new family you're creating:

When You're Making Everyone Travel

So you've decided to get married somewhere amazing and you want your favorite people to come along for the adventure. Destination wedding invitations need to be extra clear about logistics since you're asking people to book flights and hotels.

For a beach wedding, you can lean into the vacation vibes:

For somewhere more exotic or international, you might want to sound a little more formal while still being exciting:

The key with destination weddings is to make sure people know where to find all the practical info they need to plan their trip. Don't try to cram hotel recommendations and flight details onto your actual invitation.

6. Religious and Cultural Wedding Wording

Incorporating your faith or cultural traditions into your wedding invitation wording adds meaningful depth to your celebration announcement.

6.1 Christian Wedding

6.2 Jewish Wedding

6.3 Interfaith Wedding

7. RSVP and Additional Information Wording

Clear RSVP wording ensures guests know how and when to respond, making your planning process much smoother.

7.1 Traditional RSVP Wording

• "The favour of a reply is requested by [date]"
• "Please respond by [date]"
• "Kindly reply by [date]"
• "RSVP by [date] to [email/phone]"

7.2 Online RSVP Wording

• "Please RSVP online at [website] by [date]"
• "Kindly respond at [website] by [date]"
• "Visit [website] to RSVP and view wedding details"
• "Please respond online by [date] at [website]"

7.3 Additional Information Examples

• Dress Code: "Cocktail attire requested" or "Garden party casual"
• Weather Considerations: "Ceremony will be held outdoors, rain or shine"
• Gift Information: "Your presence is the only present we need"
• Unplugged Ceremony: "Please keep this moment device-free"

Going Digital With Your Invites

Digital invitations are honestly pretty great – they're cheaper, faster, and you can include way more information without things getting cluttered. Plus you can track who's opened them and responded.

If you're sending email invitations, your subject line is crucial because that's what determines whether people actually open your email:

• "You're Invited: Sarah & Michael's Wedding Celebration"
• "Save the Date: June 15th, 2025 - Sarah & Michael"
• "Our Wedding Invitation - Please Join Us!"
• "Sarah & Michael are Getting Married - You're Invited!"

For the actual invitation content, you can be a bit more interactive since people can click through to your website for more details:

The best part about digital invites is that you can send all the practical info (directions, hotel recommendations, your registry) without cramming it all onto the invitation itself.

9. Wedding Invitation Etiquette Guidelines

Understanding wedding invitation wording etiquette helps you navigate traditional expectations while expressing your personal style.

9.1 Name Order and Formatting

• Traditional: Bride's name comes first
• Alphabetical: Names in alphabetical order by first name
• Personal Preference: Choose what feels right for your relationship
• Same-Sex Couples: Use alphabetical order or personal preference

9.2 Timing and Mailing Guidelines

• Save the Dates: 6-8 months before (especially for destination weddings)
• Invitations: 6-8 weeks before the wedding
• RSVP Deadline: 3-4 weeks before the wedding
• Digital Invitations: Can be sent slightly later than paper invites

9.3 Common Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't mention gifts or registries on the invitation
• Avoid "No children" phrasing - instead, address invitations to specific adults
• Don't include dress code restrictions that are too specific
• Avoid making assumptions about plus-ones - be clear about who's invited

10. Frequently Asked Questions

10.1 Should I include registry information on my wedding invitation?

No, traditional etiquette says never to include registry information on the invitation itself. Instead, include this information on your wedding website or have family members share it when asked.

10.2 How do I word my invitation if I'm paying for my own wedding?

Simply use "Sarah Johnson and Michael Anderson invite you to celebrate their marriage" or "Together with their families, Sarah and Michael invite you..."

10.3 What if my ceremony and reception are at different times?

Include both times on the invitation: "Ceremony at 4:00 PM, Reception at 6:00 PM" or create separate cards for each event if there's a significant time gap.

10.4 How do I indicate that children aren't invited?

Address invitations only to the adults you're inviting. If people ask about children, kindly explain that you're having an adults-only celebration due to space or budget constraints.

10.5 Can I use different wording for digital vs. paper invitations?

Yes! Digital invitations can be more casual and interactive, while still including all necessary information. Just ensure the tone matches your wedding style.