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FAQ – Wedding Invitation Verbiage Examples

Once you and your partner have chosen the overall vibe or theme of your wedding, you can start narrowing down verbiage for your envelopes and invitations. Generally, there are three different verbiages you can choose from: formal, semi-formal/casual, and funny/light-hearted/non-traditional. Below is a list of different examples for each, and when it might be appropriate to use them.

Formal Verbiage

Usually, very formal wedding invitation wording is appropriate for white tie (for men: a tailcoat, formal white shirt, white vest and tie, white or grey gloves, and black opera pumps; for women: a formal floor-length evening gown) or black tie (for men: standard black tuxedo or evening jacket with matching trousers; for women: a formal floor-length gown or cocktail dress) weddings. Formal wedding invitations are usually issued by the host(s) of the wedding rather than the bride and groom themselves. The host(s)’ full names are to be spelled out on the invitation itself, middle name included. If there is no room for the middle name of the host without using two lines, then forgo the middle name altogether. Do not use a middle initial.

About Names and Spelling:

  • Titles such as “Mr.” and “Mrs.” should not be spelled out. Doctor should always be spelled out unless the name would be too long to fit on one line.
  • The phrase “honour of your presence” is used when the ceremony will take place in a house of worship. Honour is spelled with a “u”, in true British fashion. For all other venues, “the pleasure of your company” is widely used.
  • If the bride shares her parents’ last name and her parents are hosting, only her first and middle name are used.
  • The groom’s name is always spelled out, preceded by his title.

Time and Date:

  • Both the date and the year are spelled out.
  • The day of the week and the month are capitalized, but the year is not.

RSVP’s:

  • RSVP is an abbreviation derived from the French phrase “Réspondez, s’il vous plaît”, and it means “please respond”. You can use each of the following RSVP’s: RSVP, R.S.V.P., R.s.v.p., or “The favor of a reply is requested.”
  • RSVP is only used on reception invitations or wedding/reception combination invitations but is not used on wedding-only invitations. For reception invitations and wedding/reception combination invitations, the RSVP goes in the lower left corner.
  • RSVP on its own indicates that replies should be sent to the return address on the outer envelope of the invitation. If you want replies to be sent to a separate address, or to include an email address, phone number, or wedding website as a correspondence alternative, add this information below.

RSVP
2030 Sandy Way
Venice, California 90291
OR
RSVP
(970)-123-4567
brideandgroom@gmail.com
OR
RSVP
http://brideandgroomwedding.com/rsvp

Casual Wording:

Less formal contemporary wording often reflects the couple’s own personal style. However, the basic information common to all invitations still applies: who, what, when, where, why, and how to respond are necessary to include.

Fun Wording:

If your wedding has more of a laid-back and light-hearted feeling, you might want to consider opting out of traditional wording altogether. This allows your invitations the room and freedom to be funny, short and sweet, or to include a quote that you and your partner hold dear.

Okay, I have my wording down . . . Now how do I know what is included in the invitation suite when I send it out?

Obviously, the main ingredient in a wedding invitation is . . . the invitation itself. But with constantly evolving traditions and modern twists being incorporated into weddings, there are plenty of variations. Below is a list of things that traditional invitations include, as well as some alternatives.

  • Reception Cards: In instances when the wedding ceremony and reception are in two different locations, a wedding reception card is placed in the envelope on top of the invitation. Couples also use wedding reception cards when the guest list for the wedding ceremony is somewhat different than the guest list for the reception.
  • Wedding Response/RSVP Cards: These cards allow the guests to communicate back with you regarding whether or not they can attend, how many people will be attending, which dates they will be attending (if you’re having a welcome party the night before or a brunch the next day, etc.), their meal preference, as well as any dietary restrictions they might have.
  • Directions and Maps: Some consider it essential to include directions or a map with their invitations, especially if a lot of their guests are from out of town. These inserts should not be photocopies, but should be printed in the same style as the rest of your invitations.
  • Accommodation Cards: These are important for destination weddings, or for local weddings with many out-of-town guests. They can include nearby airports, hotel options, area attractions, and rental car agencies. If you have booked a certain number of suites in a particular hotel or you have reserved rental cars in their names, you would provide this information on the accommodation card.
  • Websites: In this day and age, many couples host websites where guests go to find information about the wedding.

Invitation Verbiage Samples:

Below are a few verbiage samples based on who’s hosting, and the formality of the event

Host: Bride’s Parents | Attire: White/Black Tie | Verbiage: Very Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Matthew Cooper
Request the honor of your presence
At the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Meredith
To
Mr. John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand seventeen
At half after four
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow immediately after

Host: Groom’s Parents | Attire: White/Black Tie | Verbiage: Very Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gerald Smith
Request the honor of your presence at the marriage of
Sarah Meredith
To their son
John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand seventeen
Half after four
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow

Host: Bride and Groom’s Parents | Attire: White/Black Tie | Verbiage: Very Formal

Together with
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Matthew Cooper
And
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gerald Smith

Request the honor of your presence at the marriage of
Sarah Meredith and John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand seventeen
Half after four
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow 

Host: Bride and Groom, and Both Parents | Attire: White/Black Tie | Verbiage: Very Formal

Together with
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Matthew Cooper
And
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gerald Smith

Miss Sarah Meredith Cooper
And
Mr. John Jacob Smith
Request the honor of your presence
At their marriage

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand seventeen
Half after four
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow

Host: Bride’s Parents Divorced & Remarried | Attire: White/Black Tie | Verbiage: Very Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Mary Johnson
And
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Cooper
Request the honor of your presence
At the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Meredith Cooper
And
Mr. John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand seventeen
At half past four
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow

Host: Bride’s Parents Divorced & Remarried | Attire: Semi-Formal/Casual | Verbiage: Formal/Casual

Please share in our joy
At the marriage of our daughter
Sarah Meredith Cooper
To
John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
At half after four
two thousand seventeen
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Reception to follow immediately after

Host: Groom’s Parents Divorced & Remarried | Attire: Semi-Formal/Casual | Verbiage: Formal/Casual

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gerald Smith
Invite you to celebrate
The union of
Sarah Meredith Cooper
And
John Jacob Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
At half after four
two thousand sixteen
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Dinner and dancing to follow

Host: Bride and Groom’s Parents| Attire: Semi-Formal/Casual | Verbiage: Formal/Casual

Together with their families
Sarah Meredith Cooper
And
John Jacob Smith
Invite you to share in the joyous beginning
Of their new life together.

The celebration of their commitment and love
Will be held on
Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand sixteen
At half past four in the evening
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Dinner and dancing to follow

Host: Bride and Groom| Attire: Casual | Verbiage: Casual/Light-hearted

Option 1:
Sarah Cooper
And
John Smith
Invite you to join the fun
As they stand together
With sweaty hands and open hearts
When they tie the knot

Saturday, July 9th
two thousand sixteen
4:30 in the evening
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Awkward but enthusiastic dancing
To follow after ceremony

Option 2:
Whatever our souls are made of,
His and mine are the same. – Emily Brontë

Please share in our joy
You are invited to witness
The exchange of wedding vows between
Sarah Meredith Cooper\
And
John Jacob Smith
Saturday, the ninth of July
4:30 in the evening
two thousand sixteen
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Post-ceremony celebration immediately following

Option 3:
As autumn leaves
Turn their brilliant hue
Two lovers will join and say I do
Sarah Cooper
And
John Smith
Will be joined together
In a celebration of love

Saturday, the ninth of July
two thousand sixteen
At half past four in the afternoon
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Dinner, dancing, and happily ever after
To follow

Option 4:
Sarah Meredith Cooper
And
John Jacob Smith
Are getting’ hitched!
Please join us for a celebration
Of love, friendship, laughter, and family

Saturday, July 9th
At 4:30 PM in the afternoon
two thousand sixteen
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Fabulous food, fun, and festivities to follow

Host: Bride and Groom’s Parents | Attire: Casual | Verbiage: Casual/Light-hearted
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Cooper
And
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smith
Call for the contentment of your company
At the marriage of
Sarah Cooper
And
John Smith

On Saturday, the 9th of July
two thousand sixteen
At 4:30 PM
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
Please join us for dinner, dancing, and dalliance

xoxo

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