What to include, how to word it and beautiful examples for modern weddings.
Your wedding invitation sets the tone for your day. This guide explains what to include, how to word it and gives you copy-ready examples to help you create wording that feels right for your celebration.
Your wording, your way.
There’s no single right way to word a wedding invitation. Whether you’re planning a formal celebration, a relaxed countryside wedding or a destination wedding abroad, your invitation wording should reflect your style, your day and the people you’re inviting.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know, along with examples to help you create wording that feels personal and effortless.
THE ESSENTIALS
What to include on a wedding invitation
Your wedding invitation doesn’t need to contain every detail of the day. At its simplest, it should tell your guests who is getting married, when and where the celebration is taking place, and clearly invite them to be part of it.
01 — Who's hosting
Traditionally this indicates who is inviting the guests, although modern invitations can simply begin with the couple’s names.
02 — Your names
Make your names one of the clearest elements on the invitation.
03 — DATE & TIME
Include the wedding date and ceremony time, making it clear when guests are expected to arrive if necessary.
04 — VENUE
Include the venue name and location. Full addresses, directions and parking information can be included on a separate details card.
05 — INVITATION LINE
This is the wording that actually invites your guests to celebrate with you, such as “invite you to celebrate their marriage” or the more traditional “request the pleasure of your company.”
06 — RECEPTION DETAILS
If appropriate, let guests know whether a reception, dinner or celebration will follow the ceremony. Further timings and practical information can sit on your details card or wedding website.
What about RSVP details?
RSVP information is often kept separate from the main invitation. Depending on your stationery suite, guests can respond using an RSVP card, email address or wedding website.
Include a clear RSVP deadline and any information you need from your guests, such as menu choices or dietary requirements.
WORDING EXAMPLES
How to word your wedding invitation
The wording you choose can completely change the feel of your invitation. Traditional wording tends to be more formal and structured, while modern invitations can be much more relaxed. Use these examples as a starting point, then adapt the wording to suit your celebration.
01 — MODERN
Modern wedding invitation wording
Modern wedding invitations can keep the wording simple and personal. If you’re hosting the wedding yourselves, you don’t need to include parents’ names or particularly formal language.
Together with their families
Charlotte Rose
& Edward James
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, the fifteenth of May
two thousand and twenty-seven
at five o’clock in the evening
Villa Il Monte
Tuscany, Italy
02 — TRADITIONAL
Traditional wedding invitation wording
Traditional wedding invitation wording is more formal and often names the person or people hosting the celebration. This style works particularly well for classic church weddings and more formal occasions.
Mr and Mrs William Hart
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Charlotte Rose
to Edward James
on Saturday, the fifteenth of May
two thousand and twenty-seven
at two o’clock in the afternoon
St Mary’s Church
followed by a reception at
The Manor House
03 — BOTH FAMILIES HOSTING
Both families hosting the wedding
When both families are hosting the celebration, the invitation can acknowledge them without listing individual parents’ names. This keeps the wording traditional in sentiment while still feeling clean and contemporary.
Together with their families
Charlotte Rose
& Edward James
request the pleasure of your company
as they celebrate their marriage
Saturday, the fifteenth of May
two thousand and twenty-seven
at three o’clock in the afternoon
The Orangery
Somerset
04 — INFORMAL
Informal wedding invitation wording
For a relaxed celebration, your invitation wording can be much less formal. Keep the essential details clear, but use language that feels natural and reflects the atmosphere of your wedding.
Please join us for the wedding of
Charlotte Rose
& Edward James
Saturday, 15 May 2027
at 3pm
Cliffside Manor
Devon
Dinner, dancing & celebrations to follow
05 — DESTINATION
Destination wedding invitation wording
Destination wedding invitations can remain simple while making the location a prominent part of the invitation. Travel, accommodation and itinerary information can be included separately on a details card or wedding website.
Together with their families
Charlotte Rose
& Edward James
invite you to join them
as they celebrate their marriage
15 May 2027
Villa Il Monte
Tuscany, Italy
Celebrations to follow
06 — EVENING
Evening wedding invitation wording
If some guests are joining you for the evening celebration rather than the ceremony, make this clear in the wording. Include the evening start time and reception venue so there is no confusion about when guests should arrive.
Charlotte Rose
& Edward James
would love you to join them
for an evening of celebration
Saturday, 15 May 2027
from 7.30pm
The Manor House
Devon
Dinner, drinks & dancing to follow
Ready to create your invitation?
Explore editable wedding invitation templates designed to make creating your stationery simple.
Personalise your wording in Canva, download your finished design and print wherever you choose.
SHOP WEDDING INVITATIONS →
DETAILS CARDS
What goes on a wedding details card?
Your wedding invitation doesn’t need to include every practical detail. Information such as accommodation, transport, parking, dress code, directions and your wedding website can usually be included on a separate details card.
For wording ideas and examples, read our Wedding Details Card Wording Guide →
