What an invitation has to say
Six pieces of information, in this order. Everything else is style.
- Who is hosting
- Who is getting married
- The date and time
- The place, with the full address
- What follows (reception, meal, evening)
- How and by when to reply
Copy-paste examples
Formal, parents hosting
Mr and Mrs James Okonkwo
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Amara
to
Daniel Wright
on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand and twenty-seven
at half past one in the afternoon
St Mary's Church, Bridgeford
and afterwards at Bridgeford Hall
RSVP by 15 July
Modern, couple hosting
Amara and Daniel
are getting married
Saturday 12 September 2027 at 1:30pm
St Mary's Church, Bridgeford BR2 4QT
Reception to follow at Bridgeford Hall
Please reply by 15 July at amaraanddaniel.example
Relaxed
We're getting married!
Amara & Daniel
Saturday 12 September 2027, 1:30pm
Bridgeford Hall, BR2 4QT
Ceremony, food, dancing — stay as long as you like
Let us know by 15 July
Evening only
We would love you to join us for the evening of our wedding celebration
Amara and Daniel
Saturday 12 September 2027, from 8pm
Bridgeford Hall, BR2 4QT
Drinks, dancing and evening food
RSVP by 15 July
The lines that cause questions
| Situation | Wording that works |
|---|---|
| Adults only | "We have chosen to keep our wedding an adults-only celebration." Put it on the details card, not the invitation |
| No plus-ones | Name the invited guests on the envelope and give the RSVP card one line for one name |
| Cash gifts | "Your presence is the gift. If you would like to give something, a contribution to our honeymoon would mean a lot." |
| Dress code | One or two words on the invitation, expanded on the details card if needed |
| Unplugged ceremony | "We would love you to be fully present with us, so we are asking for phones away during the ceremony." A sign at the door works better than print |
| Parking or travel | Details card or website — never the invitation |
The general rule: the invitation carries the six facts, and everything else goes on a details card or the website. Invitations that try to explain policy get long and read as instructions.
Match the wording across the set
Invitations, RSVP cards and details cards should sound like the same people wrote them.
Common questions
What should a wedding invitation say?
Six things: who is hosting, who is marrying, the date and time, the venue with a full address, what follows the ceremony, and how and by when to reply. Everything else belongs on a details card.
How do you word an invitation when the couple is hosting?
Lead with your own names rather than parents': "Amara and Daniel are getting married", then the date, time, address, what follows and the RSVP deadline.
How do you say adults only on a wedding invitation?
On the details card rather than the invitation: "We have chosen to keep our wedding an adults-only celebration." Naming only the invited guests on the envelope does most of the work.
When should wedding invitations be sent?
About three months before, with the RSVP deadline printed on them set roughly five weeks before your caterer needs final numbers.