How to word an invite

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Now that you’ve picked out your stationery, it’s time to take on wedding invitation wording. Whether you want to keep the wording classic and traditional or creative and whimsical is up to you, but whatever route you choose, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter what.

The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette aren’t that complicated. The primary tenets are actually much simpler and more straightforward than you think. And no matter the case, they’re there to serve as a guideline. The most important rule of all is that you create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come—while also communicating the vital details of the wedding—so feel absolutely free to riff off these wedding invitation wording principles to create your own.

To help guide you, we’re breaking down what each line means and what it typically includes.

What to Include on Your Wedding Invitation

All wedding invitations should include the following elements:

• Who’s hosting
• The request to come to the wedding
• The names of the couple
• The date and time
• The location
• Reception information
• Dress code
• Separate RSVP card

Wedding Invitation Wording Line by Line

The Host

Traditionally, the bride’s parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option no matter who foots the bill. Also, more and more couples these days are hosting their own weddings, or do so together with their parents.

If it’s a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, you can also use «Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company …»

If you want to include the name of a parent who is deceased, you’ll need to rearrange things a bit, as someone who has passed can’t actually serve as a host. Try this, for example:

Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French,
and
Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney,
request the honor of your presence
at their wedding
on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen
at one o’clock in the afternoon
The Reagan Library
Simi Valley, California
Dinner & dancing to follow
Black tie required

If the couple’s parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, just keep each parent on a separate line. If you’re going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner. It might seem complex at first, but all it requires is a few more lines. This is an example of how a bride with divorced (and remarried) parents worded the wedding invitation:

Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory
and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner
and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland
invite you to the wedding of their children
Amy Abner and Charles Hyland 01.06.18 | 4 p.m.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
Newport, California
Reception immediately after

The Request to Attend

There are many ways to ask for the pleasure of your guests’ company. Here are few options:

• «the pleasure of your company»
• «at the marriage of their children»
• «would love for you to join them»
• «invite you to celebrate with them»
• «honor of your presence»

The Names of Couple

If their names haven’t been included in the host line, they should still take center stage a few lines down. No one would forget to add this to a wedding invitation, of course, but you might be wondering whose name should go first on a wedding invitation? Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom’s name. Formal invitations issued by the bride’s parents refer to her by her first and middle names, the groom by his full name and title; if the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman first and man second isn’t applicable. Whether it’s «Emily and Zara» or «Zara and Emily,» it’s going to be lovely either way. When writing their own names, same-sex couples can choose to either go in alphabetical order or simply with what sounds better.

The Date and Time

For formal weddings, everything is written out in full (no numerals). The year is optional (the assumption being your wedding is on the nearest such date). Time of day is spelled out using «o’clock» or «half after five o’clock.» The use of a.m. or p.m. is optional. For casual weddings, numerals are fine.

The Location

The street address of a venue is not usually needed unless omitting it would lead to confusion or your wedding is taking place at the host’s home. The city and state should be written out in full in either case.

Reception Information

Very formal invitations include this information on a separate card. Otherwise, it can be printed on the wedding invitation itself if there is room; if the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you may print «and afterward at the reception» or «reception immediately following.» When the reception is elsewhere, the location goes on a different line.

Dress Code

Wedding invitation etiquette dictates that the dress code—if you’re including it on the invitation—is in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation. If you don’t include a note on attire, the invitation itself will indicate the dress code. For example, if the invitation is very fancy, guests will likely be anticipating a formal, black-tie affair, or conversely, an invitation on the simpler side indicates a more casual dress code.

Separate RSVP Card

Most couples choose to include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return in the mail. You also have the option of having people RSVP via your wedding website. If that’s the case, include the website address on a separate card, just as you would with an RSVP card, and indicate that guests can let you know if they can come directly on the site.

Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

1. Stacey and Peter

With great pleasure
Stacey Bullington
and
Peter Cunningham
invite you to join them
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, July 9, 2016
at two thirty in the afternoon
Santa Barbara Courthouse — Mural Room
Santa Barbara, California
Dinner and dancing to follow at Casa de la Guerra

2. Isaac and Allison

Isaac + Allison
With family & friends, we invite you to
celebrate our wedding day.
April 11th, 2021 at 6 pm
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico at Acre Baja
Reception to follow

3. Julia and David

Jerry & Georgian Sadowski
and Gary & Georgia Byrne
invite you to celebrate with their children,
Julia & David
on their wedding day
Friday | 07 Sep 12 | 3:30 p.m.
Cortelyou Commons, DePaul University: Ceremony
Peggy Norbert Nature Museum: Reception 6 p.m.

4. Grace and Russell

Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick
are gettin’ hitched!
August 4th 2016
Join us at 5 o’clock
The West Palm
825 Oceanside Ave
St. Petersburg
Merriment to follow

5. Samantha and Andrew

Mrs. Mindy Laub
Mr. Richard Netkin
Mr. and Mrs. Yuval Brash
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Samantha Maxx
and
Andrew Isaac
Saturday, the twenty-first of May
Two thousand twenty-two
At half after six o’clock
Old Westbury Golf and Country Club
Old Westbury, New York
Black tie

6. Chase and Kelianne

Please join us as we celebrate our wedding
Chase Mattson
&
Kelianne Stankus
June 9th, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Serendipity Garden
12865 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399

7. Marin and Joseph

Doctor and Mrs. Ronald Kaleya
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Rothenberg
invite you to share in their joy
at the marriage of their children
Marin Sami and Joseph Benjamin
Saturday, the twenty-ninth of September
Two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
Black tie invited

8. Andrea & Landon

Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Alvarado, Jr.
Request the pleasure of your presence
to celebrate the marriage of
Andrea & Landon
Thompson
Saturday, the ninth of October, two thousand twenty-one
at five o’clock in the evening
One&Only Palmilla
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Reception to follow

9. Agee and Alexander

Together with their families
Agee Gretta Taylor
and
Alexander Charles Leinberry
Invite you to join them in the celebration of their love
Saturday, the twenty-fourth of July
Two thousand twenty one
At half past four in the afternoon
The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch
Beaver Creek, Colorado
An evening of dinner and dancing to follow
Black tie optional

10. Jennifer and Andrew

Jennifer and Andrew
Invite you to celebrate their wedding
Saturday, the third of July
Two thousand and twenty-one
At half past four o’clock
Surrey-Williamson Inn
Saratoga Springs, New York
Black tie optional

11. Chloe and Matthew

Love is in the air
Chloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James Denton
Have the honour of announcing
their marriage
on Saturday, the tweny-fifth of August
Two thousand eighteen
at three o’clock in the afternoon
Glochester Catholic Church
Dublin Ireland
C + M

12. Ben and Pilar

We’re getting married!
Ben & Pilar
Please join us
10.11.2014
at 5:30 p.m.
Panorama Hills

13. Kristin and Wyatt

Together with their families
Kristin
Michelle Sills
and
Wyatt
Alexander Littles
Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration
Friday, the fifth of November
Two thousand twenty one
at four o’clock in the evening
The Olana
1851 Turbeville Road / Hickory Creek, Texas
Adult reception to follow
Black tie

14. Marielle and Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Eisner
Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter
Marielle Scott
to
Ryan Bergara
son of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Bergara
Saturday, 30th of July, 2022
Four thirty in the afternoon
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel
Santa Barbara, California
Reception to follow
Cocktail attire

15. Felicia and Kellis

Please join
Felicia Beth Yoder and
Kellis Curry Cunningham
as they tie the knot
October 4th 2014
four o’clock in the afternoon
Gulf Beach Resort Motel
Sarasota, FL

16. Chloe and James

Paul and Fran Lewis
Request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of their daughter
Chloe Lewis
to
James Rosen
on
07.10.21
at four in the afternoon
Skier Bridge | The Ritz Carlton | Bachelor Gulch
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Merriment and festivities to follow
black tie

17. Kendra and Diallobe

Kendra
Evelyn Ellis
&
Diallobe
Cazembe Johnson
Request the honor of your presence
on their wedding day
Saturday, the fifteenth of January
Two thousand twenty two
Ceremony will begin at five pm in the afternoon
Kempa Villa
71555 Jaguar Way Palm Desert, CA 92260
In loving memory of Benjamin Ellis and Herbert Johnson
Reception to follow

18. Gina and Steven

You are invited to
the wedding of
Gina & Steven
On Saturday
The tenth day of July
Two thousand twenty-one
Five thirty in the evening
Cranbrook House and Gardens
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Reception immediately to follow

19. Grace and Travis

The wedding celebration of
Grace Hannah Kim
&
Travis James Junge
Saturday, May 1, 2021
at St. Louis Missouri
The Ritz Carlton

20. Ali and Rafique

Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas & Elizabeth Glanville
Request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Ali Greenfield
to
Rafique Jivani
Thursday the twenty second day of July
Two thousand and twenty-one
at five o’clock in the evening
Mandarin Oriental
Lake Como, Italy
Reception to follow

21. Stephanie and Jason

Together with their families
Stephanie Marie Nucci
and
Jason David Brooks
request the pleasure of your company
The first day of September
Two thousand twenty one
at half past five in the afternoon
Chateau de la Gaude
Aix-en-Provence, France
Reception to follow

Inviting customers, prospects, partners, investors, industry experts and the media to business events helps your company to make new contacts, develop business relationships and increase sales. Whether you’re hosting an important product launch, grand opening, industry conference or intimate seminar, it’s important to write an invitation letter that speaks to specific elements your target audience needs to know.

Carefully Target Your Guest List

Before you begin writing your invitation letter, carefully select the guest list. Instead of inviting all contacts, it’s best to segment your list based on the kind of information about which your audience will be interested. For example, customers may want to know more specific details about a product version update, whereas investors may not need the details but want to know the bigger picture about the direction of the company.

The content you include in your invitation letter needs to be targeted to your audience. The kind of language you use should align with your overall business brand. For example, if your company has an informal culture, don’t use overly formal invitation wording in your letter.

Select the medium of your invitation based on your audience. Email may be the easiest way to send out invitations, especially if you’re targeting a large group of people. In this case, be sure to use a subject line that captures your reader’s attention immediately, such as, “You’re invited to the launch of the century!” If you’re inviting a small, select group of people to an intimate gathering, you may choose to go with a hard copy invitation sent via mail. This creates the feeling of exclusivity and intrigue.

Focus on the Benefits to the Reader

When you invite people to a presentation, it’s important to frame the content so it relates directly to them. This will help your guests decide if they want to attend. If your invitation only speaks about your business, they may not feel this is the right event for them. Instead, it’s critical that you specify the benefits for your audience in attending the event.

For example, if you’re hosting a small seminar with an industry expert speaker who will talk about how customers can use your product to increase their revenue, don’t fill your invitation with details about your product. Instead, focus on how the guests can learn key insights from the industry expert that will help them increase productivity and make more money.

Don’t Forget the Logistical Details

Your invitation letter for a product presentation or other event should include all of the logistical details, such as:

• Location.
• Date and time.
• Parking and transportation.
• Dress code if necessary.
• Pre- or post-presentation events, such as cocktails or brunch.
• How to RSVP.
• Deadline for RSVP.

This will ensure your guests have everything they need to make a decision about whether they wish to attend.

Invitation for Product Presentation Sample

Dear John,

Please join us for our inaugural product launch for MacroTech Square. Not only will you be one of the first people to see the technology in action, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn key insights from industry expert Kelly Smith.

Attend the product launch and:

• Witness revolutionary marketing analytics technology at work.
• Understand how more insight about your operations can help you make better decisions.
• Get answers to your industry questions from analytics pioneer Kelly Smith.
• Take back the latest industry research to share with colleagues.

We can’t wait to share this groundbreaking moment with you.

When: April 2, 2019 | 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: MacroTech Headquarters, 123 Main Street

Cocktails will be served after the presentation.

Please RSVP by responding to this email by March 15, 2019. Parking vouchers will be provided to all attendees.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Anne Kincaid
Manager, MacroTech Systems

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, bridal shower, graduation party, or another celebration for a milestone, words matter. Using the right word choice in an invitation is a great way to set the tone for your event.

Formal invitations show guests what to expect at your event, but they also guide them on what to wear and who’s invited to participate. Using the right words in an invitation imparts an air of elegance and sophistication while setting a high standard for the big day.

So, how do you find the right words to say? Here, we’ll show you exactly how to write a formal invitation. From small details like writing out dates and using formal wording, you’ll discover everything you need to know to craft a beautiful formal invitation that wows your guests.

How to Write a Formal Invitation

Writing a formal invitation is simple once you know what to include and understand a few key concepts. First and foremost, most formal invites have the information completely written out. That means, for these types of invites, you’ll need to ditch the informal abbreviations. Second, formal etiquette involves using proper titles when addressing guests. If you’re inviting someone who is a doctor or in the military, you’ll want to use their correct titles.

Here’s what to include on formal invitations.

Who’s Hosting

One of the key components of a formal invite is the host details. This is particularly important if you’re writing a formal wedding invitation. The host information reflects who’s footing the bill — whether that’s you, your parents, or another family member.

It should be immediately obvious who is hosting the event so put the host details at the top of the invitation. Include the full names of the hosts, including their middle names.

Sometimes, more than one family may be hosting the event. This is particularly common for wedding invitations and graduation parties where divorced parents host a joint celebration. In these cases, list both sets of host names. For formal wedding invites, the names of the bride’s parents should be listed before the groom’s.

In cases where you’re hosting the event with the support of your family, you can precede the host names with the phrase “together with their families.” Here’s an example:

Together with their families

Peter John Smith

And

Anna Louise Thompson

Invite you to their wedding

To reflect the formality of the event, use phrases like “your presence is requested” and “we request the pleasure of your company” rather than “you’re invited.”

Full Guest Names

Address the invitation using the full names of all invited guests. Don’t use nicknames or initials and make sure to double-check the spelling for every guest name. For example, if you’re inviting a married couple with the same last name, address the invite to Mr. and Mrs. John Doe. For couples that are not married, write their names on two separate lines making sure to use their full first and last names. For couples that are married but have different last names, put their names on two separate lines using the word “and” to connect them.

If the couple you’re inviting includes two professionals or service members, address them like this: Dr. Julia Smith and Colonel Peter Davis, U.S.N.R. For military members, always make sure to include the agency they work for after their name and title.

Make sure to include all the invitees on the invitation, including all children and plus ones. Formal events typically have a strict guest list so be clear about whether you’re inviting the entire family or just the adults.

Date, time, and location of the event

A proper invite should include all the relevant information for the big day, including the date, time, and location. In contrast to casual invites, you would typically write out this information completely on formal invites. That means you would write the date as “Saturday, the seventeenth of August” rather than “Saturday, August 17th”.

Addresses would also be written out without using abbreviations. Instead of writing 2345 Sunset Dr., you would write 2345 Sunset Drive.

The time of the event should also be spelled out. The time should be followed by phrases such as “in the morning,” “in the afternoon,” or “in the evening.” Use the term morning for events scheduled between midnight and noon, use the term afternoon for events between noon and six p.m., and use the word evening for events between six p.m. and midnight.

Use the word “o’clock” only if the event is on the hour. When the event is scheduled sometime other than on the hour, hyphenate the time. Here are a few examples of proper wording for the time on a formal invite.

• Six o’clock in the evening
• Four-thirty in the afternoon
• Nine forty-five in the morning

Dress code

Most formal events, including cocktail parties, business events, and weddings, are a time for everyone to get dressed to the nines. If you’re hosting a formal event, you probably have a dress code — after all, you don’t want people showing up in flip flops and a Hawaiian shirt.

Clearly state the desired attire on your formal invitation. State whether the event is a white tie affair — requiring a floor-length dress or full suit — or black tie where guests can wear fancy cocktail dresses or tuxedos. For formal holiday parties, you can ask guests to dress in festive colors.

RSVPs

Most formal invitations include an RSVP card so the hosts know exactly how many guests to prepare for. If you’re sending invitations by mail, you’ll need to include an RSVP card and a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope with your return address so guests can return their response card.

The beauty of online invitations is that you don’t have to organize a bunch of paper cards or deal with the hassle of tracking responses. With digital invitations, you get easy online tracking for your RSVP responses and answers to questions about food choices. You don’t have to worry about invitations or responses getting lost in the mail. With Greenvelope, you can see who’s already opened your invitation and who’s responded.

5 Fancy and Formal Invitation Suites

Now that you know the etiquette of formal invitations from wording to what to include, you’re ready to pick out the perfect invite. We’ll show you five stunning ways you can invite guests to your next formal event. If you’d like to see even more invite ideas, check out our full collection of invitations that offers tons of formal options to choose from.

1. Hydrangeas Invitation

This elegant invitation design features delicate hand-lettering and stunning floral blooms to announce a formal event. You can use it to invite guests to a lavish wedding or a formal garden party. The classic typography adds a touch of regal style while the five different accent colors make it easy to match the invitation to your color scheme. The entire suite features coordinating invitations, save the date cards, and thank you cards.

2. Princess Carriage Invitation

This sweet birthday party invitation is the perfect way to throw a fancy soiree for the littlest royal in your home. With whimsical elements and crisp, sophisticated text, it’s a great choice for a formal birthday invitation.

3. Open Floral Wreath Invitation

This delicate invitation uses scrawling script and understated illustrations to invite guests to a formal party. The open floral wreath creates a touch of sophistication while framing the important event details. It’s a great choice as a bridal shower invitation, baby shower invitation, or formal dinner party invitation.

4. Ombre Laurels Invitation

In this stunning yet simple graduation invitation, watercolor branches gracefully frame modern type to announce a student’s latest accomplishment. It’s a great way to announce a formal graduation party to celebrate hard work and success. Pair it with a graduation announcement to share the happy news with family near and far.

5. Clean and Elegant Invitation

This contemporary and elegant invitation features subtle gold foil accents that add an understated air of sophistication. The envelope liner features marbled veiling and the distinctive, delicate script lends to the fancy design. This wedding invitation wording is a perfect example of how to write a formal invitation.

Fashion a Formal Event with Greenvelope

Whether you’re looking for party invitations for a rehearsal dinner, wedding, birthday party, or graduation, we have you covered. Our collection of event invitations makes it easy to find the perfect match for your formal affair.

From sleek graduation invitation cards and fancy dinner invitations to elegant monogram designs, Greenvelope offers a wide range of formal invitations. Choose the perfect design for your event and use the tips above to write the perfect formal invitation for any event.