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Wedding invitation wording

Wedding invitations can say everything in six lines. The names, the date, the place, the ask. What makes one better than another is restraint — saying what matters, in an order that makes the reader feel welcomed rather than informed.

01

The first line — names

Put the couple first. Formality comes from the syntax, not from padding.

  • “Harper & Sam”
  • “Amelia and Theo”
  • “Dr. Maya Kellogg · Daniel Ortiz”
  • “Together with our families, Sofia and Eitan”
  • “Two people who have outlived six apartments: Clara & James”
02

Host lines

Say who's inviting — it tells guests where the evening begins emotionally.

  • “Together with their families”
  • “The parents of the couple invite you”
  • “Please join us”
  • “Hosted by the couple and the Linden family”
  • “With joy, and with every person we've loved getting to this day”
03

Date, place, time

Standard form works. Creative calendrics (days spelled out, roman numerals) work for formal weddings; everyday syntax is fine too.

  • “Saturday, the fourteenth of June · four-thirty in the afternoon”
  • “Saturday, June 14 · 4:30 PM ceremony, reception to follow”
  • “Sunday, May 10 · 6:00 PM · The Observatory, San Francisco”
  • “Saturday at sunset · private residence, Hudson NY”
  • “October 2 · ceremony 4:30 · dinner 6:30 · dancing until”
04

The ask (RSVP language)

Say when, say how, and tell them exactly what you need to know.

  • “Kindly respond by April 1 via our wedding site.”
  • “Reply by May 1. Dietary notes welcome.”
  • “RSVP via the link above by September 15.”
  • “Regrets only to harper@example.com by the 14th.”
  • “Please reply — one way or the other — by April 20.”
05

The closing note

One line, on its own, in a smaller weight.

  • “We can't wait to see you.”
  • “The moon will be nearly full.”
  • “Come as you are. Leave as family.”
  • “Small ceremony. Big feelings.”
  • “We hope you can join us.”

Do

  • Lead with the couple's names
  • Include an RSVP deadline — 4–6 weeks before is standard
  • Name the dress code once, clearly
  • Save transportation and hotel blocks for the wedding website, not the invite

Skip

  • Abbreviate dates on formal invitations
  • Pack the invitation with schedule details — that's what the site is for
  • Apologize for inviting anyone (kids, plus-ones)
  • Use stock flourishes that don't match your design
Pair this wording with a design

Templates for wedding

A celebrationPlease join the families of the couple

Amelia & Theo

Are getting married

Date
Saturday, May 10
6:00 PM
Place
The Observatory
One Park Promenade · San Francisco, CA
Attire
Black tie optional
Reply
RSVP by April 1

The moon will be nearly full.

Paper MoonEngagement
Together with their families

Harper & Sam

Invite you to their wedding

When
Saturday, June 14
4:30 PM ceremony
Where
Willow Hollow
Route 9W · Hudson Valley, NY
Attire
Garden black tie
Reply
RSVP by May 1

“Reception with dinner and dancing to follow.”

First LightWedding
A little showerHosted by the aunties

Welcoming Baby Olive

Tea, tenderness, tiny socks

Date
Sunday, July 13
2:00 PM
Place
The Conservatory
5 Elm Avenue · Portland, OR
Attire
Soft and sunny
Reply
RSVP by June 30

Books in lieu of cards — a library for Olive.

Ink & BloomBaby Shower
More wording guides
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