Sending out your wedding invitations is a pretty major milestone in the wedding planning journey. After ticking off the most important tasks on your to-do list like choosing your wedding date and venue, it’s finally time to ask your loved ones to join you on the day!
However, wedding invitations aren’t just about providing the basic who, what, where and when. Your invitations are also an opportunity to give your guests an exciting first glimpse into the look and feel of your upcoming celebration.
Whether you’re planning a formal black-tie affair or a bohemian-inspired love fest, your wedding invitations can help to set the right tone for your big day. But where should you begin when it comes to your wedding invitation wording?
Drafting up wedding invitations is where many couples find themselves feeling stuck. Not only do you need to include all of the right information, but you also want your invitations to truly reflect the atmosphere of your upcoming nuptials.
We know that finding the right wording for your wedding invitations can be tricky. So, we wanted to share some different wording examples to suit a variety of different wedding styles.
From formal to informal and fun, keep reading for some wedding invitation wording tips and templates to get you started!
Determining Your Tone of Voice
First things first, have you considered which invitation wording style is going to be the most appropriate for your wedding?
If you’re currently at the stage of sending your wedding invitations, you’ve likely already determined how you want your celebration to look and feel.
Before moving forward with your invitation wording, take a moment to remind yourself of your overall wedding vision. Is it going to be a formal and traditional affair with all of the trimmings? Or something more relaxed and low-key?
Once determined, keep your wedding vision front of mind when drafting up your wedding invitation wording. This will ensure your invitations leave the right impression on your guests, while also setting the mood and building excitement for your day.
What to Include on Your Wedding Invitations
Regardless of the tone of voice you choose for your wedding invitation wording, it’s important to make sure you’ve covered all of the essential details!
We’ve previously spoken on the blog about wedding invitation etiquette, and the kind of information that should be communicated at this first touch-point with guests.
In a nutshell, you’ll definitely need to include the following details:
- The names of the happy couple
- A request for attendance
- The wedding date
- The ceremony start time
- The wedding venue
- RSVP details
You may have additional information for guests such as your gift registry details, transport options or venue directions.
Creating a wedding website as a resource for your guests can be a great option to communicate these details clearly without taking up invitation space, and can also be used as a method for guests to RSVP. If you’ve created a wedding website, you’ll need to include the relevant link on your invitations, too.
So now that you know exactly what to include, let’s move forward with some invitation wording examples!
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Examples
Formal wedding invitation wording is best suited for a more traditional celebration.
This kind of wording style is commonly used when the bride and/or grooms parents are hosting the wedding. Or, perhaps you’re planning an elegant, black-tie affair and want to use formal wording to set a sophisticated tone.
When it comes to formal wedding invitation wording, there are a few rules to follow in terms of phrasing and language.
A formal wedding invitation should always be written in the third person, so avoid using the word “we”. You should also steer clear of using any humour, casual terms or abbreviations.
For example, full names are always used in place of nicknames or first names only. Dates and times should also be referenced in full. For example, 3.00pm becomes 3 o’clock, while the 10th of July 2018 become the tenth of July, two thousand eighteen.
If family members are hosting the wedding, it’s also traditional to include them in your invitation wording.
Here are some formal wedding invitation wording examples to get you started!
Parents hosting:
Mr. & Mrs. Jones and Mr. & Mrs. Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Harry Jones and Sally Smith
Saturday, the tenth of October, two thousand eighteen
at 3 o’clock
St Peter’s Chapel, Bangalow
Reception to follow
The favour of your reply is requested at: (wedding website link)
—
Together with their families,
Harry Jones and Sally Smith
invite you to share in the
union of their marriage
Saturday, the seventeenth of July, two thousand eighteen
at half past three
Hilton Hotel, Sydney
Formal reception to follow
Further information can be found at: (wedding website link)
Couple hosting:
Harry Jones and Sally Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
Sunday, the third of February, two thousand nineteen
at 2 o’clock
St Mark’s Cathedral, Brisbane
Reception to immediately follow
For further details, please visit: (wedding website link)
—
Harry Jones and Sally Smith
invite you to share in
the celebration of their marriage
Sunday, the second of September, two thousand eighteen
at half past four in the evening
Stone House, Hobart
Followed by a formal celebration
Your reply is kindly requested at: (wedding website link)
Keep your tone of voice sophisticated and refined. This will help your guests understand the formal nature of your wedding.
Informal Wedding Invitation Wording Examples
Informal wedding invitation wording is best suited for a more relaxed celebration.
This style of invitation wording has become the most commonly used, with many couples now preferring a modern, simplified approach. Informal invitations are usually written in the first person, are often shorter in length, and use engaging, personable language.
Because there aren’t any strict “rules” to follow for this invitation style, you can choose to word things more casually. For example, you can drop any titles or last names, and use abbreviations for your wedding date and time.
Informal wedding invitation wording is usually written in an upbeat, conversational tone. Try to steer clear of traditional wording like “request the honour” or “union of marriage”. Instead, use phrases that feel the most natural to you!
Here are some informal wedding invitation wording examples to draw inspiration from:
We’re getting married!
Bill & Beth
Please join us
10.07.18
at 3.30pm
Woodridge Farm, Tumbulgum
Cocktail reception to follow
For RSVP details and venue directions, please visit: (wedding website link)
—
Bill and Beth
are getting hitched!
We’d love you to join us
21st October 2018
at 4.00pm
Stoneleigh Winery, Mt Tamborine
Dinner, dancing and drinks to follow
Additional details can be found here: (wedding website link)
—
Bill and Beth
are tying the knot!
Please join us
for a celebration of love, friendship
family and laughter
19.12.2018
Pine Ridge Hall, Broken Hill
Festivities to follow
Please RSVP at: (wedding website)
An informal wedding invitation should read in a friendly, relatable tone of voice, with details being kept short and sweet. This kind of wording style will help to set the mood for a modern and relaxed celebration.
Fun Wedding Invitation Wording Examples
Are you two known for your cheeky sense of humour and quirky personalities? If so, a fun wedding invitation might be the best fit for your upcoming nuptials.
Fun or humorous wording can be a great way to inject some personality into your wedding invitations. This is an opportunity to think outside the box, make your guests laugh, and set the tone for a fun-filled celebration!
As long as you cover all of the necessary details, there really are no rules to follow here. Abbreviations, casual lingo, nicknames and puns are all a-okay.
However, it’s always best to keep things warm and light-hearted. You might want to avoid any risky jokes that may come across as offensive or in bad taste. Remember, it can sometimes be tricky to determine humour through the written word – so perhaps save the cheekier jokes for your wedding speech, instead!
Here are some fun wedding invitation wording examples to get you started.
Booze, food,
and bad dance moves
Are you in or what?!
Josie and James
are getting hitched
7.12.18
Lighthouse Studios, Fitzroy
Festivities commence at 3pm!
RSVP here: (wedding website link)
—
We’re having an open bar!
…oh, and a wedding
We’d love you to join us
at 4.30pm
on the 10th of July, 2018
Bowerbird Bar, Fremantle
Find all of the deets right here: (wedding website link)
—
You are totally invited
to our wedding!
Josie & James
27th November, 2018
3.00pm
Paradise Gardens, Lismore
Dinner, drinks and awkward dancing to follow!
For RSVP and transport details, visit: (wedding website link)
As long as you keep things tasteful, a fun wedding invitation can be a great way to set a positive tone for your event – while also giving your guests a giggle!
Use Invitation Wording to Set the Scene
Your wedding invitations really will play a big role in setting the scene for your wedding day celebrations.
When you think about it, your invitations are ultimately your very first point of contact with guests. Being thoughtful with your tone of voice and wording style can help to prepare your guests appropriately, while also leaving a lasting impression.
So whether you’re planning a formal, informal or fun-filled affair, simply keep these wording tips and examples in mind and you’ll be able to create the perfect invitations for your upcoming nuptials!