Your Guide to Invitation Wording & Etiquette 

Invitation Variations and Phrases

You can vary and change the examples below, by adding or substituting some of the following phrases to your invitations to make them more personal to you, or to reflect the formality of your event.

At the beginning:

Request the pleasure of your company
Request the honour of your presence
Would like to invite you to join them
Invite you to celebrate
Would love for you to join them

 

Dates and Times:

2 o’clock
2 o’clock in the afternoon
2.00 pm
2:00 p.m.
2 p.m.
Two o’clock
Monday 26th May 2008
Monday the Twenty-sixth of May Two Thousand and Eight

At the End:

And afterwards
And afterwards for dinner and dancing
And afterwards for a champagne reception and dancing
Followed by dinner and dancing
Followed by a reception at

 


Wedding Invitation

The bride’s name always appears before the groom, using her first and middle names but not title.  Her surname is not usually included if the bride’s parents are hosting but is usually included for any other hosts including the bride and groom.

The groom’s name traditionally includes his title, first and middle names and surname.  If the bride and groom are hosting or hosting with their families often the groom’s title is not included.

Use the hosts’ formal titles such as Doctor and Professor and usually the first names and surnames of the hosts are included.

Reply Card

Traditionally, replies are sent to the host of the event. However it is often more convenient to have replies sent to the organiser, this may be an event or wedding planner, the bride and groom or their parents.

Reply cards can be a very useful way to ask your guests questions to help you organise, so think about anything you would like to know. Below are some popular questions and ideas of how to word them.

It is often advisable to ask guests to write in block letters to help you read their replies and ensure you have the correct names of those attending.

Names:

Traditionally at the top

Name(s): .................
M....................

but can also be at the bottom

Lots of love
Name(s): .................

Attendance:

Will be delighted to attend
Are regretfully unable to attend

Would love to attend
Sorry, we are unable to attend

I am/We are able to attend
I am/We are unable to attend

Dietary:

Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements: ..............

Dietary restrictions: ..............

We will be serving (enter the type of dish you will be serving, such as fish) please let us know if you have any special requirements: ..............

Reply Date:

Please reply by ……..

The favour of a reply is requested by ……….

The kindness of a response is requested by ………


Save the Date Card 

This is traditionally a simple announcement card, usually from the bride and groom although it can be from their parents.

(bride and grooms’ names)
are delighted to announce
that they will be getting married on
Day, Date, Month, Year
Please save the date
Invitation to follow

Information Card

Information cards are a useful way to provide your guests with any information not included on your invitations and to tactfully address any sensitive issues. Some popular and useful topics to cover include:

Accommodation: This can be a list of local hotels and B&B’s details and/or details of any special rates you have negotiated with your venue.

Directions: Directions to your venue and between your venue and reception are always helpful, especially if your guests are travelling far, or if your venue is in a remote area. You may also want to include details of parking facilities.

Transport: Both public and any that you are providing. You can recommend flights, trains, or simply refer your guests to informative websites and services. You can also remind them to answer any transport related questions on your reply card.

Gifts: Detail of where your wedding list is held or if you are requesting money or a different donation.

Children: A subject to address if you are unable to accommodate or do not want children to attend your wedding. A carefully worded note on your information cards will inform your guests of your wishes without offending.

Examples of Words Not Inviting Children:
We regret that we are unable to accommodate children at our wedding. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Unfortunately, due to venue restrictions we are unable to invite children.

Dress Code: This can be included on the information card and is especially important if you are marrying in a venue where there are strict rules about how guests should be dressed.

What to Bring: This can often be useful if your wedding is abroad and the weather is different or if you are organising specific events such as golf or a spa.

The Weekend: If you are organising a weekend of celebrations, get your guests in the mood and let them know what to expect.

Venues: The contact details for your ceremony and reception details can be useful if your guests want to ask them any specific questions themselves.

Further Information: You can include your own contact details here, or those of your wedding planner, ushers, or any other useful numbers, for those last minute details.


Bride and Groom Inviting

 Wedding Invitation Wording

Anna & Matthew
would like to invite you
to their wedding
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm
St James’ Church, Townley
and afterwards at
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
 The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Evening Invitation Wording

Anna & Matthew
would like you to join them
at an evening reception
to celebrate their marriage
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
 The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside


Bride’s Parents Inviting

Wedding Invitation Wording

Mr and Mrs Andrew White
request the honour of the presence of
…………………………………………………….
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Chloe
with
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm
St James’ Church, Townley
and afterwards at
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Evening Invitation Wording

Mr and Mrs Andrew White
request the pleasure of the company of
…………………………………………………….
at an evening reception
to celebrate the marriage of their daughter
Anna Chloe
with
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Library, The Country House
 RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

 

Bride’s Parents Inviting, Divorced, Mother Remarried

Wedding Invitation Wording

Mr Andrew White
and
Mrs John Green
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Chloe
to
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm
St James’ Church, Townley
and afterwards at
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Evening Invitation Wording

Mr Andrew White
and
Mrs John Green
request the pleasure of your company
at an evening reception to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Anna Chloe
to
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Bride’s Mother Inviting, Remarried

Wedding Invitation Wording

 Amanda and John Green
request the honour of the presence of
…………………………………………….
at the marriage of Amanda Green’s daughter
Anna Chloe White
to
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm
St James’ Church, Townley
and afterwards at
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Evening Invitation Wording

Amanda and John Green
request the pleasure of the company of
…………………………………………….
at an evening reception to celebrate
the marriage of Amanda Green’s daughter
Anna Chloe White
to
Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Grooms Parents Inviting

Wedding Invitation Wording

Mr and Mrs Mark Black

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of

Anna Chloe White

to their son

Mr Matthew James Black
 on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm

 St James’ Church, Townley
and afterwards at

The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside


 

Evening Invitation Wording

 

Mr and Mrs Mark Black
request the pleasure of your company

at an evening reception to celebrate

the marriage of

Anna Chloe White

to their son

Mr Matthew James Black

on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm
The Library, The Country House
RSVP by 1st April 2008

The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Bride & Groom Inviting Together with Their Parents



Wedding Invitation Wording


 Together with their parents
Anna White
and

Matthew Black

 invite you to join them

to celebrate their marriage
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 2.00 pm

St James’ Church, Townley

and afterwards at
The Library, The Country House
  RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Evening Invitation Wording

Together with their parents

Anna White 
and
Matthew Black

invite you to join them

at an evening reception

to celebrate their marriage
on Monday 26th May 2008
at 7.30 pm

The Library, The Country House
  RSVP by 1st April 2008

The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Register Office Ceremony


Mr and Mrs Andrew White

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Anna Chloe
to

Mr Matthew James Black
on Monday 26th May 2008

at 12.00 noon

at

Townley Registry Office

and afterwards at

The Country House

RSVP by 1st April 2008
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside


Civil Partnership

Mr Mark Anthony Brown

&

Mr Matthew James Black

request the pleasure of

……………………………………………

at their civil partnership

on Monday 26th May 2008

at 2.00 pm

The Library, The Country House

followed by dinner and dancing

RSVP by 1st April 2008

 The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Black Tie Ball

Anna and Matthew Black
request the pleasure of the company of
……………………………………
at the Black Annual Gala Dinner
on Saturday 31st October 2008
7.30 for 8.00 pm
at
The Country House, Townley
RSVP
The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Dress Code: Black Tie

Birthday Party

Anna and Matthew

invite you to join them

to celebrate Anna's 30th Birthday

on Saturday 31st October 2008

7.30 for 8.00 pm

at

The Country House, Townley

RSVP

The Old Oak Tree, Green Fields, Countryside

Dress Code: Smart Casual