Wedding Invitation Wording Guide
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! The RH Design team is excited to help you get started on one of the most meaningful parts of your stationery: the invitation wording.
We’re here to guide you through every step and help you find wording that feels clear and sets the tone to your wedding. Below we break down options to help your invitations feel memorable and reflect your story.
What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation
In this guide, you’ll find a range of wording options from timeless and traditional to modern and personalized. Today, there’s truly no “right” or “wrong” way to write your wedding invitations. However, every invitation should include a few essential details:
Names of the couple
Names of the hosts (if applicable)
Ceremony date, day of the week, and location
We’re always happy to help craft custom language that feels just right for your celebration. Above all, remember that your invitation sets the tone for your wedding. Choose wording that reflects the formality, personality, and overall feeling you want your guests to experience.
General Wording Tips
We recommend the following wording tips:
Feel free to include dress code information at the bottom of your invitation. For example, "Black tie optional"
Do not include registry information anywhere on your invitation suite. Instead, list the information on your wedding website or communicate it via word-of-mouth.
Do not print "no gifts" anywhere on your invitation as this presumes guests were planning on getting you gifts. Instead, communicate your preference via family and friends.
Formal or Traditional Invitation Wording
Typically used when the ceremony is held in a church and the wedding is hosted by one set of parents (traditionally the bride’s parents).
Used when the wedding is held at a Secular venue and hosted by both sets of parents.
Less Formal or Non-Traditional Wording
Usually used when the wedding is held at a Secular venue and hosted by the couple and both sets of parents.
Used when the wedding is held at a Secular venue and hosted by the couple.
Invitation Wording for Special Cases
Usually used when the wedding is hosted by divorced parents where both parents are remarried.
Used when the wedding is hosted by divorced parents where one parent is remarried.
Invitation Wording for Additional Pieces
Save the Date Cards
Your Save the Date should include the couple’s names, wedding date, and location. We also recommend adding your wedding website URL if you have one.
For more formal celebrations, you may choose to use full names and include the hosts’ names as well.
RSVP Cards
Your RSVP card should echo the tone and formality of your main invitation. For instance, “The favor of a reply” traditionally pairs with invitation wording such as “the honor of your presence.” Meanwhile, “Kindly reply by” aligns well with “request the pleasure of your company.”
When selecting your reply-by date, check with your planner, caterer, and venue to confirm when they need a final headcount. As a general guideline, plan to set your date at least six weeks before the wedding to ensure everything runs smoothly.
While formal RSVP cards traditionally include a single blank line for guests to write in their response, most modern couples opt for a more detailed layout. Lines and checkboxes can help you gather key information such as meal selections right from the start.
Reception Cards
If your ceremony and reception are taking place at the same venue, a simple line at the bottom of your invitation such as “Reception to follow” or “Dinner and dancing to follow” is perfectly appropriate.
If the reception is being held at a different location, treat it as a separate event. In this case, the details should appear on a dedicated reception card, included within your invitation suite to clearly guide guests from one venue to the next.
Thank You!
If you need extra guidance or feel unsure about where to start, just reach out. Our team is happy to help you find wording that feels true to your wedding.
