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So, you’ve picked out your wedding invitation design. Now, it’s time to start planning your consult with one of our designers to refine your design and wording. But, where do you begin?
We understand that it can be overwhelming, especially with the never-ending list of things to do before your big day!
Whether you choose to stick with traditional wording or opt for a more whimsical and creative approach, there are a few essential elements that should always be included. Don’t worry, wedding invitation etiquette rules are not too complex and can actually provide you with a helpful framework to get started with your invite wording.
So, let’s get started on perfecting your wedding invitations!
Typically, wedding invitations include the following info:
What to include
Who’s hosting
The request to come to the wedding
Yours and your partner’s names
The date, time and location of the ceremony
Reception location & time
Any other pertinent reception information (optional)
Dress code (optional)
Separate RSVP card
Event Hosts
Typically if this line is included it will list the parents of the bride and groom
The Request
The request for guests to attend is generally accompanied by the names of the hosts
The Happy Couple
The bride and groom’s names tend to be bigger in order to stand out and can include surnames if you wish
The Date & Time
The specifics of the date, day and time of the ceremony are the first details to be listed after the couple’s names
The Ceremony
The specifics of the ceremony location – the venue’s name and address go here
The Reception
The specifics of the reception location, including the venue’s name and address go last
Optional details
Some couples opt to include some further information such as RSVP information, dress code, etc
Sample invite wording
Traditional wording
Mother’s Name and Father’s Name
Other Mother’s Name and Father’s Name
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Blake Lively
and
Ryan Reynolds
Saturday 9th of September 2012 at 1pm
Boone Hall Plantation
1235 Long Point Road, Charleston
Celebrations to follow at 6pm
Mother’s Name and Father’s Name
request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter
Chrissy Teigan
and
John Legend
son of
Other Mother’s Name and Father’s Name
Saturday 14th of September 2013 at 1pm
Villa Pizzo
Via Regina Lake Como, Italy
Reception to follow at 6pm
Mother’s Name and Father’s Name
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Lucille Ball
and
Desi Arnaz
Saturday 30th November 1940 at 1pm
Our Lady of the Valley
21 Gault Street, Canoga Park, California
Dinner & dancing to follow at 6pm
Byram River Beagle Club
12 Maine Street, Canoga Park, California
Casual wording
Amal Alamuddi
and
George Clooney
are getting married!
Please join us in celebrating
Saturday 27th of September 2014 at 1pm
Aman Canal Grande Hotel
Calle Tiepolo Baiamonte, Venice
Fabulous food, fun, and festivities
to follow at 6pm
Bianca De Macias
and
Mick Jagger
invite you to join the fun as they stand together and take their vows!
Saturday 12th of May 1971 at 1pm
St Anne’s Chapel
Route des Plages, Saint-Tropez, France
Dinner & dancing to follow at 6pm
Cafe des Artes
1 Place Carnot, Saint-Tropez, France
Frida Kahlo
and
Diego Rivera
are tying the knot!
Saturday 21st of August 1929 at 1pm
Coyoacán Town Hall
Calle Caballocalco 22, Mexico City
Dinner and dancing immediately following the ceremony
Bring your dancing shoes!
Simple wording
Together with their families
Yoko Ono
and
John Lennon
request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday 20th of March 2069 at 1pm
The Rock Hotel
3 Europa Road Gibraltar
Celebrations to follow at 6pm
With great pleasure
Elizabeth Taylor
and
Richard Burton
invite you to join them
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday 15th of March 1954 at 1pm
The Ritz Carlton
1228 Sherbrooke Street Montreal
Dinner & dancing to follow at 6pm
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Beyoncé Knowles
and
Shawn Carter
Saturday 4th of April 2008 at 1pm
The Carter Residence
195 Hudson Street New York
Reception to follow at 6pm
Bringing It All Together
Your invitation wording sets the tone for the entire event — from the formality of the language to the warmth of the welcome. Once your wording is finalised, the next step is choosing the stationery that carries it. Paper Alchemy’s wedding invitation collections span seven distinct aesthetics — from the classical restraint of Aeon to the cosmic drama of Nebulae — with each collection covering the full suite from save the date through to on-the-day pieces.
If you are working on a bespoke suite and want wording that is developed alongside the design, Kat works directly with bespoke clients on both. The wording and the typographic treatment are considered together, which means the final suite reads as a unified piece of work rather than text added to a template.
For a coordinated send, pair your invitation suite with envelope liners that echo your suite palette, a custom wax seal stamp designed in our Sydney studio, and sheer chiffon ribbon for the suite presentation. Browse Paper Alchemy’s full stationery range to find every element of your suite in one place.
