Wedding invitation wording examples can feel weirdly stressful for something that’s “just text.” We get it. You’re trying to be polite, clear, and not accidentally start World War III between parents, stepparents, and that one relative who thinks etiquette is a competitive sport. And because we’ve photographed and filmed 500+ weddings around DC, Virginia, Maryland, and across the East Coast, we’ve seen every invitation style under the sun—black-tie ballroom formality, backyard BBQ casual, Catholic mass, destination weekend, second marriages, elopement-then-party, you name it.
Here’s our honest take: your invitation isn’t a museum plaque. It’s a communication tool. Yes, it can be beautiful and traditional. But it has one job—get the right people to the right place at the right time with the right expectations. This article gives you the exact “how to word wedding invitations” framework we recommend, plus 50+ wedding invitation templates you can tailor in minutes.
And if you’re still early in planning, peek at Wedding Planning Timeline 2026 so your invite order and mailing dates don’t sneak up on you (they always do).
Start here: The 7 building blocks of great invitation wording (so you don’t overthink it)
Before we drop templates, let’s make sure you’re not missing the basics. Every invite—formal or casual—works best when these pieces are clear.
1) The host line (who’s inviting)
This is the line that starts it all. Traditionally, the people paying hosted. In real life? Hosting is often emotional, not financial. We’ve had couples cover 80% of the budget and still put “Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So request the honor…” because it mattered to family. We’ve also had parents pay and happily let the couple host because they didn’t want the spotlight.
You’ve got options:
- Parents host
- Couple hosts
- Both families host
- “Together with their families” (the diplomatic classic)
- No host line at all (yes, that’s allowed)
2) The request line (the vibe setter)
Formal:
- “request the honor of your presence” (ceremony in a house of worship)
- “request the pleasure of your company” (everything else)
Modern:
- “invite you to celebrate”
- “join us for our wedding”
- “come party with us”
3) Names (and what you call yourselves)
Full names read formal. First names read casual. Middle names are optional unless you’re being very traditional or distinguishing between similar names.
4) Date + time (write it so nobody misreads it)
Formal invites often spell everything out. Casual invites can use numerals.
We’ve seen guests show up an hour early because an invite said “5:00” with no context and the website had different info. Don’t be that couple.
5) Location (include city + state)
Even if it’s “obvious.” Especially for destination-ish weddings (and yes, a wedding 90 minutes away counts).
6) Reception details (same place? different place? later?)
If you’re doing a Catholic ceremony at 2pm and reception at 6pm, make that crystal clear.
7) RSVP instructions + deadline
Most couples set RSVP deadlines 3–4 weeks before the wedding. If you need final numbers earlier (venue or caterer), do 4–6 weeks.
And please—don’t set the RSVP deadline two days before your caterer needs the count. You’ll hate your life.
Timing + costs: What most couples don’t realize about invitations
This isn’t just etiquette—this is logistics (and budget).
Typical invitation timeline (what we see work in real life)
For most DC/VA/MD weddings:
- Order invitations: 4–6 months before the wedding (earlier if custom)
- Mail invitations: 8–10 weeks before the wedding
- If destination: 10–12 weeks
- If major holiday season (Nov/Dec): 12+ weeks
- RSVP deadline: 3–4 weeks before the wedding
- Final vendor counts due: often 2–3 weeks before (varies)
For a full planning flow, Wedding Planning Timeline 2026 lays it out month-by-month.
Real-world costs (so you’re not shocked at checkout)
We’ve watched couples budget $200 and then realize they want letterpress, wax seals, and a custom venue illustration. It happens.
Here’s what invitation suites often cost in the DC metro area:
- Budget digital print suite: $250–$600 for ~100 invitations
- Mid-range printed suite: $600–$1,500 for ~100 invitations
- Luxury/letterpress/custom: $1,800–$4,500+ for ~100 invitations
- Postage: typically $0.73–$1.50 per envelope (heavier suites cost more)
And yes—postage adds up fast.
Traditional formal wedding invitation wording (templates you can copy)
Formal wording is structured, elegant, and very “classic wedding.” If you’re having a black-tie event in DC, a cathedral ceremony, or just love tradition—this is your lane.
Traditional formal: hosted by parents (most classic)
Template 1 (religious ceremony)
Mr. and Mrs. [Parents’ Full Names] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride Full Name] to Mr. [Groom Full Name] son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom’s Parents’ Full Names] Saturday, the [Date] of [Month], [Year] at [Time] [Ceremony Venue] [City, State] Reception to follow
Template 2 (non-religious ceremony)
Mr. and Mrs. [Parents’ Full Names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Name] Saturday, [Month] [Date], [Year] [Time] [Venue] [City, State] Dinner and dancing to follow
Template 3 (both sets of parents host)
Mr. and Mrs. [Bride Parents] and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom Parents] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location] Reception to follow
Traditional formal: hosted by couple (still formal, just modern hosting)
Template 4
[Your Name] and [Partner Name] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Reception to follow
Template 5 (formal with “together with their families”)
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company as they are married [Date + Time + Location] Reception to follow
Traditional formal: dress code line (use sparingly)
If it’s truly black tie, saying it helps guests. If you’re unsure, skip it and put it on your website.
Template 6 (formal dress code)
Black tie optional
Template 7 (very formal)
Black tie
Hot take: We’re not fans of putting a long “dress code paragraph” on the invitation. It reads anxious. Put the dress code on your website and keep the invite clean (and yes, guests will still ask—welcome to weddings).
Modern casual wedding invitation wording (templates that sound like you)
Casual invites can still be gorgeous. They just read like a human wrote them.
Modern casual: couple hosts
Template 8
[Name] & [Name] are getting married! Join us [Day], [Month] [Date], [Year] at [Time] [Venue], [City, State] Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow RSVP by [Date] at [Website]
Template 9 (short + sweet)
You’re invited to the wedding of [Name] and [Name] [Date] • [Time] [Venue] • [City, State] Reception to follow RSVP: [Website]
Template 10 (playful)
We said “yes.” Now say you’ll come celebrate. [Name] + [Name] [Date + Time + Location] RSVP by [Date]
Modern casual: “we’re throwing a wedding” vibe
Template 11
Come celebrate our wedding [Name] + [Name] [Date] at [Time] [Venue, City, State] Party to follow
Template 12 (micro-wedding energy)
We’re keeping it cozy— and we’d love you there. [Name] + [Name] [Date + Time] [Venue] RSVP by [Date]
Hosted by parents wording (templates + etiquette that won’t start drama)
Parents hosting can be traditional, modern, or blended. The key is getting names right and keeping it balanced.
If parents are hosting and paying (traditional structure)
Use their names as hosts, then your names.
Template 13
Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Names] invite you to celebrate the marriage of their child [Name] and [Partner Name] [Date + Time + Location]
If parents are hosting but you want modern tone
Template 14
[Parents’ Names] invite you to celebrate with them as [Name] and [Name] get married [Date + Time + Location] Reception to follow
If one set of parents is hosting
This happens a lot. Keep it clean. Don’t over-explain.
Template 15
Mr. and Mrs. [Host Parents] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Hosted by the couple wording (templates for “we’re paying” or “we’re hosting”)
Couple-hosted invites are common now, especially for DC-area weddings where couples are older, established, and funding most of the day.
Couple hosted: formal-ish
Template 16
[Name] and [Name] invite you to join them as they exchange vows [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Reception to follow
Couple hosted: casual
Template 17
[Name] & [Name] are getting married and you’re invited [Date + Time] [Venue] RSVP by [Date]: [Website]
Couple hosted: include parents without hosting
If you want to honor parents without making them “hosts,” you can add a line like this:
Template 18
[Name] and [Name] together with their families invite you to celebrate their wedding [Date + Time + Location]
Divorced parents wedding invitation wording (the templates that save your sanity)
This is where wording gets touchy. We’ve seen couples lose weeks to this. Weeks.
Here’s the guiding rule: list parents in a way that reflects family reality and keeps the peace without lying. You don’t need to force “together” if they’re not.
Divorced parents: both parents hosting (not remarried)
Traditionally, mom is listed first for the bride, dad first for the groom—but modern etiquette varies. Choose what feels fair.
Template 19 (same line, separated by “and”)
Ms. [Mother Full Name] and Mr. [Father Full Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Template 20 (separate lines, clearer)
Ms. [Mother Full Name] Mr. [Father Full Name] invite you to the wedding of their child [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Divorced + remarried: include stepparents (if you want)
You’re allowed to include stepparents. You’re also allowed not to. The invitation is not a family therapy worksheet.
Template 21 (mother + stepfather)
Ms. [Mother Name] and Mr. [Stepfather Name] and Mr. [Father Name] invite you to celebrate the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Template 22 (both remarried, balanced)
Ms. [Mother Name] and Mr. [Stepfather Name] Mr. [Father Name] and Ms. [Stepmother Name] request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Divorced parents: “together with their families” (the peacekeeper)
If listing everyone feels like a political summit, go neutral.
Template 23
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage [Date + Time + Location]
Second marriage wedding invitation wording (classy, not awkward)
Second marriages can be formal, casual, or somewhere in the middle. The best wording is confident and simple.
Second marriage: couple hosting (most common)
Template 24
[Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Reception to follow
Template 25 (more formal)
[Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company at their marriage [Date + Time + Location]
Second marriage: include children (if it’s meaningful to you)
If your kids are part of the ceremony, this can be very sweet (and very real).
Template 26
Together with their children, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding [Date + Time + Location]
Template 27 (family-focused casual)
Our family is growing by marriage! [Name] + [Name] with [Child Names] [Date + Time + Location] RSVP by [Date]
Second marriage: parents hosting (less common, still fine)
Template 28
Mr. and Mrs. [Parents] invite you to celebrate the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time + Location]
Hot take: Don’t feel pressured to downplay a second wedding like it’s “less than.” If you want the dress, the flowers, the band, and the full party—do it. We’ve filmed second weddings that were more joyful (and more packed dance floors) than plenty of first weddings.
Destination wedding invitation wording (and what guests actually need to know)
Destination wording has one job: reduce confusion. Guests are booking flights, hotels, childcare, passports, PTO… and they’ll have questions.
Destination: invitation wording basics
Your main invitation should still be clean. Put travel details on an insert card and/or wedding website.
Include:
- City + country (or state) clearly
- Wedding weekend dates (if you’re doing multiple events)
- A line pointing to your website for travel info
- RSVP deadline earlier than local weddings (people need time)
Destination wedding templates
Template 29 (formal-ish)
[Host Line] invite you to the wedding of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time] [Venue] [City, Country/State] Reception to follow Kindly reply by [Date] Details at: [Website]
Template 30 (weekend wording)
Join us in [Destination] for the wedding of [Name] and [Name] Ceremony: [Date + Time] [Venue, City, Country] Weekend details + travel info: [Website]
Template 31 (casual)
Pack your bags—we’re getting married! [Name] + [Name] [Date] in [City, Country] RSVP by [Date] Travel + hotel info: [Website]
Religious ceremony wording (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and more)
Religion affects wording mostly in two places:
- the request line (“honor of your presence”)
- references to God, blessings, or specific ceremony terms
Christian/Catholic ceremony wording
If you’re marrying in a church, “honor of your presence” is traditional.
Template 32
Mr. and Mrs. [Names] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Name] [Date + Time] [Church Name] [City, State] Reception to follow
If it’s a full Catholic mass, you can add:
- “Nuptial Mass” or “Mass of Christian Marriage” (optional)
Template 33
…at the Nuptial Mass uniting [Name] and [Name]
Jewish wedding wording
You can reference the chuppah, ketubah signing, or a Hebrew date on a separate line.
Template 34
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to share in their joy as they are married under the chuppah [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Reception to follow
Muslim wedding wording
Depending on your ceremony structure, you might reference “nikah” (marriage contract ceremony).
Template 35
With the blessings of Allah and our families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their Nikah and wedding reception [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State]
Hindu wedding wording
You might reference “Vivah,” “Shaadi,” or simply “wedding ceremony,” plus separate events on an insert.
Template 36
With the blessings of our families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding ceremony [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Dinner and dancing to follow Weekend events: [Website]
Reception-only wording (and how to handle “we already got married” without weirdness)
Reception-only invitations are common now: courthouse ceremony, private ceremony, destination elopement, or just keeping the vows intimate.
Here’s the key: don’t make guests guess what they’re being invited to. Say it plainly.
Reception-only: “Please join us to celebrate”
Template 37
[Name] and [Name] were married in an intimate ceremony and would love for you to join us for a celebration reception [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Dinner, drinks, and dancing
Reception-only: “We got married!” announcement + party
Template 38
We got married! Now let’s celebrate. [Name] + [Name] [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] RSVP by [Date]
Reception-only: formal tone
Template 39
Mr. and Mrs. [Names] request the pleasure of your company at a reception celebrating the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State]
Reception-only: after destination elopement
Template 40
After saying “I do” in [Elopement Location], [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate at home [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State]
Hot take: If you’re doing reception-only, skip the fake ceremony start time. Don’t put “Ceremony at 5” if there’s no ceremony. Guests will arrive expecting vows, and you’ll spend your first hour answering questions instead of enjoying your party.
Bilingual invitation examples (and how to keep them readable)
Bilingual invites are beautiful—and practical. Around DC, we see English/Spanish, English/Chinese, English/Korean, English/Arabic, English/French, and more.
Two common bilingual formats
- Side-by-side columns (best for readability)
- Stacked text (English first, then translation)
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Format | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side-by-side columns | Easy to scan, looks polished | Needs more space, careful typography | Full suites, medium/large invites |
| Stacked (one language then the other) | Simple to design | Can get long fast | Minimal designs, smaller cards |
English/Spanish bilingual templates
Template 41 (side-by-side concept, stacked here for copy/paste)
English:
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State] Reception to follow
Español:
Junto con sus familias, [Nombre] y [Nombre] los invitan a celebrar su boda [Fecha y hora] [Lugar, Ciudad, Estado] Recepción a continuación
Template 42 (casual bilingual)
English:
Join us for the wedding of [Name] & [Name] [Date + Time] • [Venue]
Español:
Acompáñanos a la boda de [Nombre] y [Nombre] [Fecha y hora] • [Lugar]
English/French bilingual template
Template 43
English:
Please join us for the wedding of [Name] and [Name]
Français :
Nous serions ravis de vous compter parmi nous pour célébrer le mariage de [Nom] et [Nom]
English/Chinese (simplified) sample lines
We’re not pretending one-size-fits-all translation works for every family dialect and formality level, but here’s a starter framework to hand a translator:
Template 44 (starter text)
- English: “Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding…”
- 中文（简体）: “在双方家庭的陪同下，[姓名] 和 [姓名] 诚挚邀请您参加他们的婚礼…”
The “host line” decision framework (so you pick the right template fast)
Couples get stuck here. Let’s make it easy.
Ask these 4 questions
- Who’s paying for most of the wedding? (Even if it’s awkward.)
- Who expects to be listed as host? (Also awkward.)
- Do parents get along well enough to be on the same line?
- Do you want your invitation to feel formal or personal?
Our recommendation (the least regret path)
If family dynamics are complicated, we usually suggest:
- “Together with their families”
- Couple names
- Clear ceremony + reception info
It’s respectful, neutral, and doesn’t turn your invitation into a scoreboard.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Host Line Option | Feels Like | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Mr. and Mrs. Parent…” | Traditional, formal | Classic church/black-tie weddings | Can sting if other parents feel left out |
| “Together with their families…” | Balanced, modern | Most weddings | Some very traditional families may push back |
| Couple names only | Confident, contemporary | Couple-funded weddings | Parents may feel minimized (talk early) |
| No host line | Minimalist | Modern design-forward suites | Older guests may find it abrupt |
Wedding invitation templates by situation (50+ total, organized for speed)
You’ve already seen a bunch, but here are more ready-to-go wedding invitation wording examples grouped by the specific “oh no, what do we say” moments.
A) Very formal, black-tie city wedding
Template 45
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration Saturday, [Month] [Date], [Year] [Time] [Venue] [City, State] Black tie optional Reception to follow
B) Backyard wedding, casual tone
Template 46
[Name] & [Name] are getting married in the backyard! [Date] at [Time] [Address] Dinner + dancing to follow RSVP by [Date]
C) Brunch wedding
Template 47
Join us for a wedding brunch celebrating [Name] and [Name] [Date] at [Time] [Venue, City, State] Mimosas and lunch to follow
D) Cocktail-style reception (no plated dinner)
Template 48
[Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage [Date] at [Time] [Venue] Cocktails, small bites, and dancing to follow
E) Ceremony + reception at different locations
Template 49
[Host Line] invite you to the wedding of [Name] and [Name] Ceremony: [Time] at [Ceremony Venue, City] Reception: [Time] at [Reception Venue, City] [Date]
F) No reception (ceremony only)
Be explicit.
Template 50
[Host Line] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of [Name] and [Name] [Date + Time] [Venue] [City, State] Kindly note: reception will not follow
G) Tiny ceremony, big party later
Template 51
We’re getting married (small ceremony). Then we’re throwing a big party. Join us for the reception celebration [Date + Time] [Venue, City, State]
H) “Adults-only” wording (polite version)
Template 52
We respectfully request an adults-only celebration.
(Place on details card or website, not necessarily the main invite.)
I) “No gifts” / “Your presence is the gift” (use carefully)
We’ll be honest: this can sound preachy, even if you mean well. If you truly don’t want gifts, a registry-free website note is better than printing it on the invite.
Template 53
Your presence is the only gift we request. (Optional: “If you’d like to honor us, a donation to [Charity] is welcome.”)
J) Dress code phrasing that guests understand
Template 54
- “Cocktail attire”
- “Garden party attire”
- “Formal attire”
- “Black tie optional”
RSVP card wording (because guests will still ask what to do)
If you’re including an RSVP card, keep it simple. And yes, we still love a printed RSVP card for older guests—even if you also offer online RSVP.
Traditional RSVP card
Template 55
M___________________ ______ Accepts with pleasure ______ Declines with regret Reply by [Date]
RSVP with meal choice
Template 56
Please respond by [Date] _____ Chicken _____ Fish _____ Vegetarian Dietary restrictions: ______________
Online RSVP wording (details card or RSVP card)
Template 57
RSVP by [Date] [Website] (Password: [if needed])
Details card wording (the unsung hero of your invitation suite)
The invitation is the headline. The details card is the instruction manual.
Common details to include:
- Wedding website
- Hotel block info
- Travel/parking
- Shuttle schedule
- Attire guidance (if you want)
- Welcome party / farewell brunch (with times)
- “Adults-only reception” note
Details card templates
Template 58 (simple)
Details, travel, and RSVP: [Website]
Template 59 (parking + shuttle)
Parking is available at [Location]. Shuttle service will run from [Hotel] to [Venue] from [Time]–[Time]. Full schedule: [Website]
Template 60 (multiple weekend events)
Weekend events: Welcome drinks: [Day/Time/Location] Wedding: [Day/Time/Location] Farewell brunch: [Day/Time/Location] Details: [Website]
What NOT to do (Red Flags we see over and over)
This section is us saving you from the stuff that causes confusion, late guests, awkward conversations, and endless texts the week of your wedding.
Red flags that cause real problems
- No start time
“Saturday, June 6” is not enough. Guests will assume. They’ll be wrong.
- Only the venue name, no city/state
Especially risky if your venue has multiple locations or a common name.
- Reception info that’s vague
If it’s not immediately after, say so. If it’s at a different location, spell it out.
- Dress code that’s made-up or confusing
“Elevated chic formal festive” sounds like a TikTok trend, not a dress code. Use standard terms, then clarify on your website.
- Aggressive wording about gifts or kids
Even if you’re right, the invitation isn’t the place to scold people.
- RSVP instructions split across five places
If guests need to hunt, they won’t RSVP. They’ll text you at 10:47pm on a Tuesday.
- Mismatch between invite and website
If your invitation says 5:30 and your website says 5:00, guests will follow the one that creates chaos. (It’s like physics.)
Invitation wording + design choices (what pairs well together)
Wording doesn’t live alone. It has to fit the design and the vibe.
Formal wording pairs best with:
- Letterpress, engraving, classic serif fonts
- Traditional layouts with centered text
- Minimal icons/graphics
Casual wording pairs best with:
- Modern typography, clean layouts, playful lines
- Photo-based invites (engagement photos)
- Handwritten-style fonts (use sparingly for legibility)
If you’re using a photo for a save-the-date, our team’s advice in Save The Date Photo Tips will save you from the classic “cropped heads and weird shadows” problem.
How invitation wording affects your wedding day timeline (yes, really)
We’re photographers and filmmakers, so we think in timelines. Your wording can actually change how the day runs—especially with ceremony start times, arrival windows, and transportation.
Ceremony start time: build in guest arrival reality
If your ceremony starts at 5:30pm, we like invites that encourage arrival by 5:00–5:15pm (via website or details card). Why? Parking, greeting, bathroom, finding seats—those things eat time.
If you have shuttles
Guests need:
- pickup location
- pickup window
- “last shuttle” time
And they need it in writing (not just a group text).
If you’re doing a Catholic gap
Put it plainly on the details card/website:
- ceremony time
- reception time
- what guests should do in between
Otherwise they’ll wander, get hungry, and show up late.
Budget reality: Where invitations fit (and where we’d rather you spend)
We’re not invitation designers, but we’ve watched budgets play out in real life. If you’re trying to decide between upgrades, get grounded first with Wedding Budget Guide 2026.
Here’s what we see:
- Couples overspend on fancy paper and under-invest in guest comfort (transportation, bar, staffing).
- Couples under-budget for postage and last-minute reprints.
- Couples forget day-of paper: menus, signage, escort cards.
Our opinionated take: If your budget is tight, don’t blow $3,000 on an invitation suite and then cut your photo/video coverage from 10 hours to 6. The invitation gets you to the day. The photos and film are what you keep.
50+ templates recap (quick index by style)
If you want to scroll less, here’s your roadmap:
- Traditional formal: Templates 1–7
- Modern casual: Templates 8–12
- Parents host: Templates 13–15
- Couple hosts: Templates 16–18
- Divorced parents: Templates 19–23
- Second marriage: Templates 24–28
- Destination: Templates 29–31
- Religious: Templates 32–36
- Reception-only: Templates 37–40
- Bilingual: Templates 41–44
- Situation-based extras + RSVP + details: Templates 45–60
Frequently Asked Questions
People also ask: How do you word wedding invitations properly?
Start with the host line (parents, you two, or “together with their families”), then a clear invitation/request line, your names, the date/time, venue with city/state, and reception info. Add RSVP instructions and a deadline (usually 3–4 weeks before the wedding). Keep the main invite readable and move travel/dress code/parking to a details card or website.
People also ask: What’s the difference between “honor of your presence” and “pleasure of your company”?
Traditionally, “honor of your presence” is used for ceremonies in a house of worship (church, synagogue, etc.). “Pleasure of your company” is used for secular venues or non-religious ceremonies. In modern weddings, nobody’s calling the etiquette police, but if you’re going formal, this is the classic rule.
People also ask: How early should you send wedding invitations?
For most weddings, mail invitations 8–10 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, we recommend 10–12 weeks. If you’re marrying around major holidays or expecting lots of travel, earlier is kinder to guests and usually reduces RSVP chaos.
People also ask: How do you word wedding invitations for divorced parents?
If divorced parents are both hosting, list them on separate lines or joined by “and,” without forcing “together.” If stepparents are included, list them in a way that reflects real family relationships and keeps the layout balanced. If it’s tense, “Together with their families” is the simplest, least controversial option.
People also ask: How do you write reception-only wedding invitations?
Be direct: “Please join us for a reception celebrating the marriage of…” or “We were married in an intimate ceremony and would love for you to join us for a celebration.” Include the party date/time/location and RSVP details. Don’t imply there’s a ceremony if there isn’t one—guests will show up confused.
People also ask: Should you put the wedding website on the invitation?
Yes—either on a details card or at the bottom of the invitation if you’re keeping the design minimal. The website is where you can park travel info, FAQs, dress code details, and shuttle schedules without cramming the invitation. Just make sure the website matches the invitation exactly for date/time/location.
People also ask: How do you word bilingual wedding invitations?
Choose either side-by-side columns (cleanest) or stacked languages (simpler). Keep names, date, time, and location consistent across both languages, and have a fluent person review the translation. For formal invitations, spending $50–$200 on a professional translator is often worth it.
Final Thoughts: Use the template, then make it sound like you
The best wedding invitation templates don’t just follow etiquette—they make your guests feel welcomed and informed. Pick your host line, choose a tone, and keep the “who/what/when/where” painfully clear. If you do that, your guests will show up on time, dressed appropriately, and ready to celebrate (which is kind of the whole point).
If you want another smart planning win, build your mailing and RSVP dates into your master plan using Wedding Planning Timeline 2026. And if you’re using photos for save-the-dates or invites, Save The Date Photo Tips will help you choose images that print beautifully.
And if you’re still deciding where invitations fit in the bigger financial picture, our couples love Wedding Budget Guide 2026 for real-number budgeting.
When you’re ready to capture the day you worked so hard to plan, our team at Precious Pics Pro would love to help with photography and videography across the Washington DC metro area and beyond. We’ll keep you on schedule, make you look incredible, and document the moments you’ll still care about 20 years from now.