InviterollWedding Invitation Wording: 25 Examples You Can Copy
The standard order, ready-made wording for every tone, and the lines people most often get wrong
Updated November 2, 2026 · 8 min read
Short answer: wedding invitation wording follows a fixed order — who is hosting, the request line ("request the pleasure of your company"), the couple's names, the date and time, the venue, and the reception or RSVP details. Formal invitations spell everything out ("Saturday, the twelfth of June"); casual ones use plain language and numerals. Pick the tone first, then fill the same five slots.
Below are copy-ready examples for formal, modern, parents-hosting, adults-only, destination and second weddings, plus short lines for digital invitations where the RSVP button does part of the work. Each example has a copy button; replace the names and details and you are done.
The standard order of wedding invitation wording
Whether the invitation is engraved card stock or a link on WhatsApp, guests read it top to bottom and expect the same sequence. Keeping to it is what makes even a very short invitation feel complete.
- Host line — who is inviting: the couple, both families, or the parents.
- Request line — "request the pleasure of your company", "invite you to celebrate", or simply "invite you".
- The couple's names — usually first and middle names for the person whose parents host, full names for the other.
- Date and time — day of the week, date, year (optional) and start time.
- Venue — name of the place, then the city; the full address belongs on a details card or the digital invitation's map.
- Reception and RSVP line — "Dinner and dancing to follow", "Kindly reply by…" or, on a digital invitation, "Please RSVP below".
Formal wedding invitation wording
Formal wording writes everything out in full, uses no abbreviations and leaves out punctuation at the ends of lines. It suits evening ceremonies, religious venues and black-tie receptions.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hale request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose to Daniel James Carter Saturday, the twelfth of June two thousand twenty-seven at four o'clock in the afternoon St. Mary's Church Boston, Massachusetts
Emily Rose Hale and Daniel James Carter request the pleasure of your company at their marriage Saturday, the twelfth of June at half past five in the evening The Glasshouse, Chicago Dinner and dancing to follow
Together with their families Emily Rose Hale and Daniel James Carter request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, the twelfth of June at four o'clock Rosewood Estate, Napa Valley
Modern and casual wedding invitation wording
Casual wording sounds like you talking. Use numerals for dates and times, first names, and a line that reflects your personality — but keep the date, time and place impossible to miss.
Emily & Daniel are getting married! June 12, 2027 · 4 PM The Glasshouse, Chicago Join us for dinner, drinks and dancing.
We found each other, and now we would love to celebrate with the people who made us who we are. Please join Emily and Daniel as they say I do Saturday, June 12 at 4 PM Rosewood Estate, Napa Valley
Eat, drink and be married! Emily and Daniel invite you to their wedding Saturday, June 12 · ceremony at 4, party until late The Old Mill, Austin Comfortable shoes recommended.
Emily and Daniel are getting married in a small ceremony with the people closest to them, and we would love you to be there. June 12, 4 PM · Our garden, 14 Elm Street
Wording when parents are hosting
Traditionally the hosts' names come first. Divorced or remarried parents each get their own line; a deceased parent can be honoured in the couple's line instead of the host line.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hale request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose to Daniel James Carter Saturday, June 12, 2027 at four o'clock The Glasshouse, Chicago
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hale and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Carter request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Emily Rose and Daniel James Saturday, June 12, 2027 at four o'clock The Glasshouse, Chicago
Ms. Laura Bennett and Mr. Robert Hale request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose Hale to Daniel James Carter Saturday, June 12, 2027
Emily Rose Hale daughter of Laura Hale and the late Robert Hale and Daniel James Carter son of Michael and Anne Carter invite you to celebrate their marriage Saturday, June 12, 2027 at four o'clock
Adults-only, destination and second weddings
Special situations need one extra sentence, said kindly and clearly. Put it on the invitation itself so nobody has to discover it later.
We love your little ones, but our celebration will be adults only. We hope this gives you a well-deserved night off!
Although we love your children, we have chosen to make our wedding an adults-only occasion. We hope you understand.
Pack your bags! Emily and Daniel are getting married in Santorini Saturday, June 12, 2027 · sunset ceremony at 7 PM Travel tips and hotel suggestions will follow. Please reply by March 1 so we can plan together.
Twenty years, two kids and one dog later, Anne and Michael are renewing their vows. Join us for a relaxed afternoon of food and stories Saturday, June 12 at 3 PM · Lakeside Pavilion
We said I do in a small ceremony this spring. Now we would love to celebrate with all of you! Please join Emily and Daniel for a summer party Saturday, August 21 from 6 PM · The Boathouse
Wording for a digital wedding invitation
A digital invitation does not need an enclosure card for every detail. The map, the add-to-calendar buttons and the RSVP form are part of the page, so the message can stay short and personal. If you are new to the format, our guide to making a digital wedding invitation covers the setup; you can also open a sample wedding invitation to see how the text sits on the page.
What you do need is a short message to send with the link. Guests open messages from people, not from links — see our WhatsApp invitation messages for texts that get opened.
We are getting married and we would love you to be there. All the details are below — please let us know if you can come.
Please RSVP below so we can save you a seat.
Hi Sarah! Daniel and I are getting married on June 12 and we would love you to be there. Here is your invitation — you can reply right on the page:
Common wording mistakes to avoid
Most invitation errors are small but noticeable. Read the final text out loud once and check these points.
- Mixing tones: formal "request the honour of your presence" followed by "BYOB!" reads oddly. Choose one register.
- Missing the time zone for guests abroad. A digital invitation shown in the venue's time zone avoids this.
- Putting registry information on a formal invitation. Share it separately, for example on a wedding website or when guests ask.
- Leaving out who is invited. Address each invitation to the guest or household by name, so "and family" is not assumed — personal links make this automatic, as explained in what RSVP means and how to track replies.
- Forgetting the dress code if it matters (black tie, beach formal, garden party).
How to write your wedding invitation wording
- 1
Decide who is hosting
The couple, both families or the parents. This decides the first line.
- 2
Choose the tone
Formal for religious or evening weddings, modern or playful for relaxed celebrations. Keep the same tone throughout.
- 3
Fill in the five slots
Request line, the couple's names, date and time, venue, and the reception or RSVP line.
- 4
Add any special notes
Adults only, dress code or travel information — one clear sentence each.
- 5
Read it aloud and check the details
Check spelling of names, the day of the week against the date and the start time. Then send a test to yourself.
Put your wording on a beautiful digital invitation
Paste your text, choose a design and send personal links with built-in RSVP. Your first event is free.
Create your invitationFrequently asked questions
What is the correct order of names on a wedding invitation?
Traditionally the bride's name comes first on invitations hosted by her parents. When both families or the couple host, any order is fine; many couples simply choose the one that sounds best. Same-sex couples often go alphabetically or by preference.
Should I write "honour" or "honor"?
"Honour" (British spelling) is traditional on formal invitations and signals a religious ceremony. In the US both are used; pick one and use it consistently.
How do I say no kids on a wedding invitation?
Address the invitation only to the adults who are invited and add one polite line such as "We love your little ones, but our celebration will be adults only." Avoid putting it in capital letters or in a negative tone.
Do I include the year on a wedding invitation?
It is optional. Formal invitations often include it in words; modern invitations usually leave it out or use numerals. On a digital invitation the year is always visible in the date and calendar buttons.
What do I write instead of a reply card on a digital invitation?
A single line such as "Please RSVP below" is enough. Guests choose Going, Maybe or Not going right on the page and add the number of people, so you do not need a separate reply card or reply-by line.