When it comes to planning your big day, your wedding invitations are more than just a piece of paper – they’re the official first look into your celebration! Whether you’re planning a laid-back garden wedding or a black-tie dinner, your invitations will set the tone for your loved ones and help them prepare.
With this in mind, what exactly should you write on your wedding invitations – and when should you start sending them to your loved ones? Read on for our ultimate wedding invitation guide, including sample wording ideas and a suggested timeline to keep you on track.
What to Include on Your Wedding Invitations
First things first, let’s unpack the information you actually need to include on your wedding invitations. While you don’t need to outline every single detail of your day, there are a few essentials that every invite needs to cover:
1. Names of the couple
Traditionally, the names of the couple (and sometimes the hosts) are placed at the top of the invitation. If your parents are hosting, you might say: “Together with their families…” or list their names formally. If you’re hosting the wedding yourselves, simply use your names with a line like “invite you to celebrate…”
2. Date and time
Be as specific and clear as possible here. Include the day of the week and the full date (e.g. “Saturday, 21st February 2026”), followed by the time of the ceremony. Tip: ask guests to arrive at least 15 minutes before your ceremony is actually scheduled, to allow for any late arrivals!
3. Venue location
You’ll need to include the full name of your venue and the city it’s being hosted in. If the venue is in a lesser-known location, it’s a good idea to include the exact address, too. Hosting your ceremony and reception at different locations? Make sure you include your reception venue and start time so your guests can plan their transport if needed.
4. RSVP details
Let your guests know how and when to RSVP! If you’re using a wedding website with online RSVPs, include the URL and an RSVP deadline. If you’re collecting RSVPs by post, add an RSVP card with return details.
5. Optional extras
You can also include some extra details such as your wedding dress code, transport arrangements or a separate card with your itinerary and accommodation suggestions. But keep in mind – less is more! If you try to include all of the details on your wedding invitations, they can quickly become cluttered, or your printing and postage costs can start to add up with extra paper inserts.
Instead, we’d recommend including the must-have information on the invitation itself, then directing guests to your wedding website to find all of the extra details. You can do this by including a link to your wedding website (and password, if relevant) or even by creating a QR code that guests can simply scan.
Sample Wedding Invitation Wording
Okay, so what does this actually look like in action? Wording your wedding invitations can feel tricky – you want to strike the right tone, while still being clear and informative.
Tip: Match your tone and language to your wedding style! Traditional wording would be best suited for a formal black-tie event, while a relaxed beach celebration can be more fun and conversational.
Here are three wedding invitation wording examples to suit different levels of formality:
1. Formal wedding invitation wording example:
“Together with their families,
Olivia Mary Anderson and James Thomas Williams
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, the twenty-fourth of May, two thousand twenty-six
at four o’clock in the afternoon
The Glasshouse, Brisbane
Reception to follow
Kindly RSVP by the twenty-first of April
Black-tie optional”
2. Modern wedding invitation wording example:
“You’re invited!
Join us to celebrate the wedding of
Olivia & James
Saturday, May 24th, 2026
4pm – 11pm
The Glasshouse, Brisbane
Please RSVP by April 21st: (wedding website link)
3. Casual wedding invitation wording example:
“Olivia & James
are getting hitched!
24.05.26
4pm – late
The Glasshouse, Brisbane
Festivities to follow!
RSVP by 21st April here: (wedding website link)
Paper vs Digital Invitations (Or Both)
Once you’ve nailed your wording, you’ll need to decide whether you’re using paper or digital invitations – or even a mix of the two!
Here are some key factors to consider when weighing up both options:
Paper invitations:
- Classic and tangible – can make beautiful keepsakes for you and your guests
- Sets the tone for a more traditional/formal wedding
- Can be custom-designed with premium finishes and calligraphy
- Typically more expensive and time-consuming to produce
Digital invitations:
- Eco-friendly and waste-free
- Cost-effective (especially for large guest lists)
- Easy to send, update, and track
- Can match your wedding website for a cohesive experience
- Sets the tone for a more modern/relaxed wedding
If you love the idea of paper invitations but still want the benefits of online RSVPs and a wedding website, you can also get the best of both worlds and combine the two! Simply include the link to your wedding website on your invitations, and your guests can still RSVP online and view all of your event details in one digital home.
Suggested Wedding Stationery Timeline
Getting the timing right for your wedding invitations will help everything run smoothly. Here’s a general timeline to follow that gives your guests enough time to prepare, while ensuring you can finalize your plans before the big day:
6 to 8 months before:
Send your save-the-dates, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding or inviting guests who need to travel.
8 to 12 weeks before:
Post or email your official wedding invitations. This gives guests plenty of time to make arrangements and RSVP.
4 to 6 weeks before:
Set your RSVP deadline. This gives you enough time to finalize numbers with your venue and caterer, confirm dietary requirements, and finish your seating plan.
2 to 3 weeks before:
Send a reminder to anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d yet. If you’re using WedSites, you can automate this step with gentle, personalized reminders.
One final tip: Whether you’re going full luxe with letterpress invitations or keeping it simple with modern digital invites, your wedding invitations should feel like you. Include the important details, reflect your style, and make the process as easy as possible for your guests – that’s what truly makes a memorable first impression!
Explore our range of wedding website templates and paperless stationery here, or sign up for your free WedSites account to get started.
