Wedding Invitation Wording: Make Yours Unique, Welcoming, and Wonderful

Sending out wedding invitations is a time-honored tradition, and a momentous first step toward turning big-day dreams into reality. Not only does your invite announce your intention to form a loving, lifelong commitment, it also provides a glimpse of the style and spirit of the celebration to come. Your wedding invitation is also a special welcome to your loved ones, letting them know how much their participation in the festivities means to you. For these reasons and more, you'll want to send a unique invite that's a true reflection of the happy couple.   

Must-Haves for Your Wedding Invitation

Before getting into creative personalization, let's review the basics of what information absolutely needs to go on a typical wedding invitation. While you want yours to be one of a kind, there are a few informational details about your wedding that should be included to help guests prepare. These include:

The Hosts
Not to be confused with who is getting married, the hosts (those footing the bill) are usually the parents of the bride. The names of the parents, or other hosts, generally kick off any wedding invitation as this provides context and honors support given for the upcoming nuptials.

The Names of the Bride and Groom
Of course, your guests need to know exactly who is getting married to whom, so though it may seem obvious, the full names of the bride and groom are a key aspect of your wedding invitation. Often, these names are emphasized with larger font and unique text color.

The Invitation Request
A strong and welcoming call to action is always helpful, serving as a clear transition between the naming of the hosts of the wedding and announcement of the bride and groom. This helps define it as a formal invitation to a wedding, as opposed to the less specific and more casual "save the date." Invitation phrasing often includes the expression, following the hosts' names, "request the honor of your presence for the wedding of the Bride to the Groom" or "invite you to partake in the wedding of their daughter to Mr. Smith."

The Date, Time, and Location of the Wedding
While the above categories fall into the "Who and What" category of wedding details, then the date, time, and location provide the "Where and When." For ultimate clarity about the timing and location, and to ensure that wedding stationery can be preserved as a reminder of the details of the day, be sure to include the exact time, date, month and year of your wedding reception. Also provide as much detail as you can about the venue, including the name of the location, the complete address, and, if appropriate, the name of a specific ballroom or banquet hall within the larger location.

The Reception to Follow
This is optional. While most couples do hold a reception following the wedding ceremony, it's not universal. If you decide that you'll be celebrating with guests after your vows, be sure to provide details at the end of your wedding invitation--whether the reception is taking place at the same venue or at a different location from the ceremony.

How to RSVP
Naturally, you'll want to keep track of who will be attending your wedding. Let your wedding guests know how they can RSVP so that you can plan to accommodate them at your reception, whether it's by returning a response card or registering at a your wedding website.

Next: Read how to personalize your wedding invitation wording >>

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