Sample Wording For Wedding Invitations

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording

Traditional invitations usually stick to formal phrasing and a classic structure. They’re perfect when you want something timeless and elegant. If the bride’s parents are hosting, the wording may look like this:

Mr. and Mrs. James Anthony Smith and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom’s Parents’ Names] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children, Emily Rose Smith and William Andrew Carter, on Saturday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 PM at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Boston, Massachusetts. Reception to follow.

When both families host together, the invitation equally includes both sets of parents.

Mr. and Mrs. James Anthony Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Daniel Carter request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Emily Rose and William Andrew on Saturday, the seventeenth of June, two thousand twenty-five, at four o’clock in the afternoon at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Boston, Massachusetts. Dinner and dancing to follow.

Traditional wording usually spells out dates and times, includes full names, and maintains a very polished tone. It’s a great match for formal ceremonies, religious venues, or weddings with a classic theme.

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording

Modern wedding invitations let you loosen up the tone. Couples often host their own wedding, and the wording becomes more relaxed while still keeping things clear. A simple, updated version would sound like:

Together with their families, Emily Smith and William Carter invite you to celebrate their wedding on Saturday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 in the afternoon at The Grand Atrium in Boston, Massachusetts. Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow.

If you want to get a little more creative, here’s another option:

Love and laughter, joy and dreams—Emily and William are getting married! Join us on June 17, 2025, at 4:30 PM at The Grand Atrium in Boston. Cocktails and celebration to follow.

And here’s a blend of formal structure with a modern twist:

Emily Smith and William Carter are tying the knot! Saturday, June 17, 2025. Ceremony at 4:30 PM. Reception is to follow at 6 PM at The Grand Atrium, Boston.

Modern wording gives you room to sound like yourselves while keeping the details organized and easy to follow.

Informal or Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

For weddings that feel more laid-back—like backyard gatherings, small garden ceremonies, or beach celebrations—informal wording makes your invitation warm, friendly, and fun. Here’s a simple and relaxed idea:

Celebrate love with us! Join Emily & William for their wedding on Saturday, June 17 at 4:30 PM at 125 Willow Lane, Boston. Casual attire is welcome, with drinks and BBQ afterward.

You can keep it clean and upbeat with something like:

You’re invited to the wedding of Emily Smith & William Carter. June 17, 2025 | 4:30 PM at Willow Gardens, Boston. Good food, great company, and a celebration of love. RSVP by May 15.

If your wedding vibe is playful, this will fit right in:

Pop the bubbly—we’re getting married! Join Emily & William for a casual celebration on June 17, 2025. Ceremony at 4:30 PM at The Greenhouse Lounge. Fun, laughter, and dancing all night.

Casual invitations give you the freedom to sound natural without losing any important details.

Religious or Cultural Wedding Invitation Wording

Religious or cultural weddings often require special wording that honors traditions and adds a meaningful tone. A Christian ceremony might read:

In the sight of God and in the presence of family and friends, Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Emily Rose Smith to William Andrew Carter on Saturday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 PM at Grace Fellowship Church, Boston. Reception to follow at The Garden Venue.

For a Jewish wedding:

With great joy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Carter invite you to the wedding of their children Emily Rose and William Andrew under the chuppah on Saturday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 PM at Temple Beth Shalom, Boston, Massachusetts. Kosher dinner and dancing to follow.

A Hindu wedding version may sound like:

With the blessings of God and our families, we invite you to the sacred wedding ceremony of Emily and William on Saturday, June 17, 2025. Wedding rituals begin at 10:00 AM at The Royal Mandap, Boston. Join us for a traditional lunch after the ceremony.

A Muslim Nikah invitation may look like:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Mr. and Mrs. Smith invite you to the Nikah ceremony of their daughter Emily Rose to William Carter on Saturday, June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Islamic Cultural Center, Boston. A Walima reception will follow at The Crescent Hall.

This type of wording reflects both your heritage and the significance of the ceremony.

Destination Wedding Invitation Wording

When your wedding requires travel, your invitation should feel fun and inviting while still giving guests the extra time and details they need. For a tropical destination:

Pack your bags! We’re getting married in paradise. Emily & William invite you to their destination wedding on June 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM at Sunset Bay Resort in Maui, Hawaii. Ceremony on the beach, reception under the stars. RSVP by February 1.

For a more formal destination event:

Emily Smith and William Carter request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Saturday, the seventeenth of June, 2025, at five o’clock in the evening. Reception to follow. Travel and hotel details available at emilyandwill2025.com.

Destination weddings work best when guests are informed early, so this type of wording helps set expectations.

Elopement or Micro Wedding Announcement Wording

If your ceremony is small, private, or spontaneous, you can still share the news warmly with family and friends. A simple elopement announcement would be:

We did it! Emily & William eloped in an intimate ceremony on June 17, 2025, in the mountains of Colorado. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

If you’re planning a follow‑up party:

Emily and William were married in a private ceremony on June 17, 2025. Join us for a celebration in their honor on July 8, 2025, at 6 PM at The Vine Lounge, Boston. RSVP by June 20.

Announcements help everyone feel included—even when they weren’t at the ceremony.

Reception-Only Invitation Wording

Some couples choose a private ceremony and a bigger gathering afterward. A reception-only invitation makes that clear:

Just married! Emily & William tied the knot in a private ceremony on June 17. Now, let’s party! Join us for a wedding reception on July 1, 2025, at 7 PM at The Garden Room, Boston. Food, music, and celebration await.

If you want to include gift or registry information, keep it subtle:

Celebrate the new Mr. & Mrs. Carter at a wedding reception on Saturday, July 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM at The Monarch Ballroom, Boston. Dressy casual. Your presence is our gift, but a registry is available at Zola.

Reception-only invitations should keep the focus on the celebration.

RSVP Card and Additional Insert Wording

RSVP cards make it easier for guests to respond. A formal format may read:

Kindly reply by May 10, 2025. Accepts with pleasure / Declines with regret. Number attending: ___. Dietary restrictions: ___

A casual version gives it a lighter touch:

Let us know if you’re coming! Name(s): ____. Can’t wait to celebrate / Sorry to miss it. RSVP by May 10 online or by mail.

For hotel accommodations:

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Regency Hotel, Boston. Mention “Smith-Carter Wedding” for special rates. Reserve by May 1, 2025. Visit emilyandwill2025.com for full details.

And for your wedding website:

For travel info, dress code, and registry, visit our wedding site: emilyandwill2025.com

These inserts keep your main invitation clean while giving guests everything they need.

Tips for Customizing Wedding Invitation Wording

When you’re writing your invitation, your wording should match the overall feel of the event. A formal ballroom wedding usually calls for traditional phrasing, while a rustic outdoor celebration works well with a more relaxed tone. You should always make sure the essentials are clear—names, hosting details, date, time, and location. Anything extra, like travel details or registry links, belongs on an insert card or your wedding website. Most importantly, read everything carefully before printing to avoid errors.

Conclusion

Your wedding invitation wording shapes the first impression of your big day. Whether you’re aiming for formal, modern, casual, cultural, or destination-inspired language, the right phrasing sets the tone and helps guests understand what to expect. Use wording that reflects your personality, your plans, and your overall wedding style, and you’ll end up with something meaningful and memorable.

Key Takeaway: The way you phrase your invitation should match your wedding’s style while clearly sharing the important details—your names, your date, and your location. Use wording that feels true to you, and your invitation will feel both polished and personal.

FAQs

How should I include a dress code?

You can place a short dress code note at the bottom of the main invitation or on an insert. Keep it simple, such as “Black Tie” or “Dressy Casual.”

Is it acceptable to invite guests only to the reception?

Yes, just make sure the wording makes it clear that the invitation is for the reception only, not the ceremony.

What’s the best way to word invitations when parents are remarried?

List parents separately with their preferred names and titles. Stepparents may be included if they’re actively involved.

Is it okay to add my wedding website to the main invitation? 

You can, but many couples prefer adding it to an insert so the main card stays clean.

What do I do if I don’t want to include registry information?

Simply leave it off the printed invitation. Guests usually look for it on your website or ask directly.