A wedding invitation serves as the couple’s first point of contact with their guests. The wedding invitation establishes the tone for the event and provides guests with insight into the couple’s personalities. Traditional marriages have precise rituals that must be observed, thus it is critical to choose the phrase carefully, even if you are celebrating a rustic ceremony. The phrasing should be tasteful and relevant to the event’s topic.
The nature of event should also be explicitly stated on the invitation so that guests may dress accordingly. Guests should be able to dress in their Sunday best for a formal wedding.
The wedding invitation also needs to include detailed directions to the event’s location so that attendees do not get lost.
A reply card is an essential component of a wedding invitation since it helps the couple to maintain count of how many guests will be attending. The RSVP card should be self-addressed so that attendees can simply fill it out and return it. This will also assist the couple in planning their meals and guest list.
A Little Background Information on Formal Weddings
Learning what it takes to write for a formal wedding takes understanding what information is included on the invitation.
Who is Hosting the Wedding
Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the wedding, but it is becoming more popular for the couple to host their own wedding. If the couple is hosting, their names should be included on the invitation. If you are uncertain, it is usually better to list the hosts.
The Invitation to the Wedding
A request for guests to attend the wedding should always be included in the wedding invitation. “The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of…”, for example.
The Couple’s Names
The names of the newlyweds should be included on the invitation. If the bride wishes to take her husband’s surname, she should write her name as “Miss First Name Middle Name Last Name.” If the bride wishes to keep her maiden name, she should write “Mrs. First Name Middle Name Maiden Name.”
Date and Time for the Wedding
The wedding date and time should be included on the invitation. The date should come first, followed by the time. As an example, “On Saturday, June 5th, Two thousand and twenty-two At four o’clock in the afternoon”
The Wedding Venue
The wedding ceremony and reception location should be specified on the invitation. If the ceremony and reception are held at the same location, you only need to list it once. If they are in different places, you must list both.
Reception Details
If there will be a reception following the ceremony, that should be mentioned on the invitation. “Reception to follow at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel,” for example.
The Dress Code
If the wedding has a dress code, it should be indicated on the invitation. For example, “cocktail attire required.” If no dress code is specified, it is commonly safe to assume that guests should dress in business casual attire.
Consider the time of day, the location, and the general tone of the event when deciding what to wear to a wedding. Dress casually if the wedding is taking place outside during the day. A sundress or perhaps even jeans would be suitable. If the wedding is in the evening or indoors, you might want to dress up a little more. It would be appropriate to wear a nice dress or skirt and blouse. Of course, if the invitation specifies “black tie” or “formal” attire, you should dress accordingly.
Whatever you wear, make that you feel at ease and that your attire is appropriate for the occasion. You don’t wish to be the one guest who is either overdressed or underdressed.
A RSVP Card
The majority of invitations will include a separate RSVP card. This card should always be returned to the hosts to inform them of your attendance at the wedding. You may also be able to list any special dietary restrictions on the card.
When deciding what to wear to a wedding, keep the time of day, the formality of the event, and the dress code in mind. If the wedding is during the day, a more casual attire may be appropriate. If the wedding is in the evening, a more formal attire may be appropriate. Typically, the dress code will be specified on the invitation. If it is not, it is best to inquire with the hosts about the dress code.
Wedding attire is typically one of three options: black tie, white tie, or business casual. The most formal attire is black tie, followed by white tie, and finally business casual. If the dress code is black tie, men should wear a tuxedo and women should wear a long, formal gown. If the dress code is white tie, men should wear a tuxedo and women should wear a long, formal gown. Men can wear a suit or sport coat and dress pants if the dress code is business casual, and women can wear a dress or skirt and blouse.
Formal Wording for a Wedding Invitation
When it comes to wedding invitations, wording is crucial. It will not only establish the tone for your big day, it will also reflect you as a couple. While there are countless ways to word your invitations, there are also a few common blunders to avoid.
Here are some suggestions for formal wedding invitation wording:
- Do not use abbreviations. While it may be enticing to shorten words like “Mr.” or “Dr.,” it is best to refrain. It will not only make your invitations appear more formal, it will also eliminate any confusion.
- Make sure that you include all pertinent information. The date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony and reception should be included in your invitations. If you’re having a destination wedding, don’t forget to include travel information.
- Avoid using overused phrases. While the phrase “invitation to celebrate our marriage” may appear to be relatively harmless, it is actually quite common. Instead, try something more creative, such as “request the pleasure of your company.”
- Be sure to use proper grammar and punctuation. This may seem obvious, but you’d be astonished at how many people make grammar and punctuation errors on their invitations. Before sending out your invitations, make sure to proofread them!
- Avoid the use of personal pronouns. While it may be tempting to use “we” or “our” on your invitations, it is better to avoid using personal pronouns. Instead, concentrate on the couple’s names.
You can avoid making common mistakes when wording your formal wedding invitations by following these simple guidelines. You can create invitations that are both beautiful and reflective of you as a couple by taking the time to carefully select your words.
Sample Wording When Writing an Invitation
This text could be used on both a formal or rustic themed invitation and is the most basic text used on an invitation.
Join us for the wedding of
Jacob Thomas and Emily Smith
Saturday, the fifth of June
Two thousand and twenty-two
at half past three in the afternoon
St. Marks Church
123 Main Street
New York, New York
Writing a wedding invitation for a wedding no matter if it is a rustic wedding in a barn or a church bound ceremony is easy as long as you focus on these items.
The host is listed first on the invitation. The person or people who pay for the wedding are known as the hosts. You would list yourself as the host if you were paying for your own wedding. If your parents pay, their names will appear as Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. If multiple people pay, their names will all be listed.
The request line comes next. This is where you politely request the presence of the guests. “The honor of your presence is requested…”, for example. You will state the bride and groom’s names after the request line. The following line contains the wedding date and time. The date should always come first, followed by the time. The month should be written in capital letters, and the day and year should be listed numerically. Always write the time in the hour format, followed by “o’clock.”
The location is the next item on the invitation. The location should come next. Include all relevant information, such as the street address, city, and state. If the wedding will be held in a religious setting, you would include name of the church. The reception information is the last item on the invitation. If the wedding and reception are in the same location, simply write “Reception immediately following.”
Then if the reception is being held at a different location, include the reception site’s name, street address, city and state, and time.