USA
Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette
Your wedding invitations need to have appropriate wording that suits the style and theme of your big day. So if you are hosting a traditional wedding, you should write your invitations following traditions and etiquette. This guide explains what you should include on a wedding invite and how it is traditionally written in a particular order.
Read on to discover our 3 tips on how to write a traditional wedding invitation. We have also included some examples of writing styles and the best wording to use.
What Should You Include On A Wedding Invitation?
First of all, you need to gather the essential information that you’re going to put on the invites. Here is a breakdown of what you should include on the wedding invitation.
It is tradition to write them in this order:
The first line is where you put who is hosting the wedding. In other words, who is paying for the wedding.
Then you would put the couple’s full names, typically the bride’s name before the groom’s.
The date (in words helps to avoid confusion)
The time
Venue information
Reception information
RSVP information
How Do I Write A Wedding Invitation?
Once you know the information you are putting on the invitation, the next step is deciding on the opening line. The first line denotes who is hosting the wedding. Traditionally, this is usually the bride’s parents, so putting their names on the first line acknowledges their generosity.
Host Line Wording Examples
One Set Of Parents Hosting
Mr and Mrs. Liam Samuel Smith (Very formal with the middle name)
Mr And Mrs Liam Smith (Formal)
Mr and Mrs Emma and Liam Smith (Formal includes both first names)
Emma and Liam Smith (Less formal)
For traditional weddings, the next part is usually worded like this:
‘Request the honour of your presence to celebrate the marriage of their daughter.'
Both Sets Of Parents Are Hosting
If both sets of parents are paying for the wedding, then the rule of thumb is to start with the bride’s parents and put the groom’s parents on a separate line like this:
Mr And Mrs. Liam Samuel Smith &
Mr And Mrs. Robert Halliwell
If you want something slightly less formal, you can omit the middle names. If the parents are divorced and remarried you can include the step parents if you wish. The best way to list them is to put them on a new line with their spouse.
How Do You Word A Wedding Invitation When A Couple Is Hosting?
Religious ceremonies and traditional weddings usually have formal wording on the invitations, even if the couple is hosting the big day themselves. Here are some examples of formal wording for wedding invitations when a couple is hosting.
Formal Example For Couple
Mary Jane Blaider and
Matthew Smith
Formal Example With Families
If you want to incorporate families into the invitation, you can start with something like this:
‘Together with their families
Bride's name and
Groom's name'
Traditional ceremonies or religious ceremonies would follow the host line with ‘request the honour of your presence’...
Wording For Non Traditional Wedding Invites
Weddings that take place at a reception venue, park or beach use ‘pleasure of your company’ because the casual wording suits the wedding theme. Other casual wording examples include ‘invite you to celebrate their marriage’. Modern weddings would start with direct language such as ‘Join us to celebrate…’ or ‘invite you to join’ ‘You are invited to kindly join bride's name and groom's name…’
3 Tips For Writing Invites
1 Traditional Wedding Invitations Name The Bride First
Traditionally written invitations always name the bride first. When writing the parents’ names, the bride’s side of the family are also named before the groom’s.
2 Use Template Invitations As A Starting Point
We have a range of invitation templates to give you ideas so you can find the perfect style for your invite. For exmaple, our blossom wedding stationery is ideal for modern and minimalist themes. Our website layout is designed to guide you through wedding styles to help you find the perfect wording to suit your big day. You can start by browsing for inspiration according to the season of your big day. For example, we have a range of traditional winter designs including Rock Rose Wedding Invitations and Northern Lights Invites.
3 Make The Dates, Times And Venue Clear
The dates and times are usually written in words rather than numbers to make it clear. If you have any extra details that you would like to include such as a dress code, you should mention this at the bottom of your invite or invitation letter, if you do not have a wedding website.
Traditional formal weddings include the full address of the venue. Whereas if you were hosting a modern affair, you could get away with just putting the name and postcode of the venue and letting guests find their own way there.
What’s Fast Wedding Invitation Printing?
Our invitation printing has an average turnaround of 2 working days from proof approval. As soon as you approve the artwork, we can start printing invitations for you. Our UK customers benefit from a next day delivery service and in the USA it is 1 to 3 days.
Speed up The Design Process With Our Customisable Invitation Templates
Browse through our design categories for inspiration. They will help you find the perfect wording and style that suits your big day. Once you have found a design template that you would like to use, place your order and fill out the form to let us know the tweaks that you’d like to make to the wording. Then our design team will edit the template and once you approve it, we will start printing your invites.
Alternatively, if you have a unique wedding invitation idea, simply select the option to supply a brief when you place your order online. One of our talented graphic designers will design your invitations for you. They can also design other wedding stationery such as RSVP cards, save the date cards, menus, place cards, table plans and thank you cards.
Wedding Invitation Printing Paper
Now you have an idea of traditional wedding invitation wording, you should be able to start designing your stationery for your big day. If you are pushed for time, you can pick from our range of templates and simply change the wording slightly and print your own invitations with us.
Our extensive range of custom invitation printing options gives you over 300 print combinations to choose from. A5 invitation printing is the most popular size. Our textured papers include conqueror, this slightly textured paper gives the invitation an artisan feel.
