Wedding Invitation Wording
Learn the basics of wedding invitation wording with this interactive diagram, then review wording examples or learn more about our expert wording service.
Host Line
Who’s hosting your wedding?
Whoever is hosting the wedding should be listed here. This can be the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, both, or neither.
Request Line
Ask for attendance
There are many different ways to word the request line. See our examples below.
Bride's Name
The bride is typically listed first. If her parents are mentioned anywhere on the invitation, only her first and middle name are required.
Groom's Name
List the groom’s name. If his parent’s are mentioned, only his first and middle name are required.
Date + Time
Month, Day, Year, and Time
Spell out the month, day, year, and time. If your invitation style is modern, it’s okay to use numbers or shorthand. According to traditional wedding etiquette, evening begins at six o’clock.
Ceremony Location
Where are you saying “I Do”?
List the name and address of your ceremony. Typically, your reception venue and address will go on the small enclosure (also called a reception card).
Reception Line
Optional
If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a reception card is not needed. Simply list “reception to follow” on this line.
Wedding Invitations Wording Examples
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
Ceremony and Reception, Different Locations, Option 1
Your ceremony location and start time should always be listed on the invitation. If your reception is at a different venue, you will need to include a small enclosure with your reception address and start time (also called a reception card).
The line “reception to follow” can optionally be added to the bottom of the invitation for stylistic purposes.
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eighthalf past four o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception to follow
Ceremony and Reception, Different Locations, Option 2
If you would rather not include a reception card, then your reception details can be listed on the main invitation. Keep in mind this can cause the invitation to become crowded, and space may be limited on certain invitation designs.
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eighthalf past four o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception to follow at six o'clockArbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Ceremony and Reception, Same Location
If your ceremony and reception are held at the same location, you can simply add “Reception to follow” at the bottom of the invitation.
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eighthalf past four o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception to follow
REQUEST LINE VARIATIONS
Show Options
You can word the request line in a variety of ways. Below are a few etiquette friendly examples.
Typically used for weddings held at a church:
The following two examples can be used for any type of wedding:
Mr. and Mrs. Grant Austinrequest the pleasure of your companyat the marriage of their daughter
BRIDE'S PARENTS HOSTING
Bride's Parents Hosting
Since the bride’s last name has been mentioned, you only need to list her first and middle names.
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eighthalf past four o'clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception to follow
BOTH PARENTS HOSTING
Both Parents Hosting, Option 1
Nora RosetoOliver Reid
September twenty-secondtwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception immediately following
Both Parents Hosting, Option 2
Nora RosetoOliver Reid
son of Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett
September twenty-secondtwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
Both Parents Hosting, Option 3
Nora AustinandOliver Bennett
request the pleasure of your companyto the celebration of their marriage
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochest, New York
Reception immediately following
COUPLE HOSTING
Couple Hosting, Option 1
Nora Rose AustintoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
Couple Hosting, Option 2
request the honor of your presenceat their marriage
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o'clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception immediately following
GROOM'S PARENTS HOSTING
Groom’s Parents Hosting, Option 1
Oliver ReidtoNora Rose Austin
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception to follow
Groom's Parents Hosting, Option 2
Nora Rose Austinto their sonOliver Reid
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o'clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception to follow
DIVORCED PARENTS
Divorced Parents, Overview
As every family is unique, it can be totally appropriate to either list or omit stepparents. We recommend discussing the issue with your family to see what will work best for all parties.
Below are a variety of examples depending on who you decide to include.
We typically recommend using ‘and’ or ‘along with’ between the parents‘ names for readability. This also gives flexibility for non-traditional invitation layouts. Listing each name on its own line with no adjoining word is also an option.
Bride's Parents Divorced, Stepparents Not Mentioned
Nora Rose AustintoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception to follow
Bride's Parents Divorced, Both Remarried, Both Stepparents Mentioned, Option 1
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception immediately following
Bride's Parents Divorced, Both Remarried, Both Stepparents Mentioned, Option 2
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
Bride's Parents Divorced, Both Remarried, Both Stepparents Mentioned, Option 3
Nora Rose AustinandOliver Reid Bennett
request the pleasure of your companyat the celebration of their marriage
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Holy Cross Catholic Church4492 Lake AvenueRochester, New York
Reception immediately following
Bride’s Mother Remarried, Father Not Remarried, Stepparent Mentioned
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception immediately following
Bride’s Father Remarried, Mother Not Remarried, Stepparent Mentioned
Nora RosetoOliver Reid Bennett
the twenty-second of Septembertwo thousand twenty-eightfour o’clock in the afternoon
Arbor at the Port1000 North River StreetSuite 110Rochester, New York
Reception immediately following
Wording, Solved
With Shine, you won’t have to worry about finding the right words to say. We’ll take your basic details and craft etiquette approved wording for you.