Crafting the perfect wording for your wedding invitations requires careful thought. The words you choose set the tone for your event and provide crucial information to your guests. This guide will help you avoid common wording mistakes, share tips on how to properly address your guests, and provide example wordings for different types of weddings.
Dos and Don’ts for Wedding Invitations
Do:
- Provide All Essential Details: Your invitations should clearly state who is getting married, the date and time of the wedding, the venue, and how to RSVP.
- Maintain Consistency with Your Wedding’s Tone: If you’re having a formal wedding, opt for traditional wording (e.g., “request the honor of your presence”). For a casual wedding, feel free to use more relaxed language (e.g., “join us for a celebration of love”).
- Consider Your Audience: Be mindful of who your guests are. If you have older relatives or guests from different cultures, you might want to avoid using slang or overly casual language that could be misunderstood.
- Clearly Indicate if Children are Invited: If you’re having an adults-only wedding, it’s better to communicate this directly but politely to avoid any misunderstandings. You could say something like “We kindly request no children at the ceremony.”
- Specify the Dress Code: If you’re expecting your guests to dress in a certain way (e.g., black tie, semi-formal), mention this at the bottom of your invitation to avoid any confusion.
- Leave Plenty of Time for RSVPs: Be sure to give your guests enough time to respond. Ideally, set the RSVP deadline at least 4-6 weeks before the wedding date.
Don’t
- Overcomplicate the Language: Keep your wording clear and straightforward. Avoid using overly complex language that could confuse your guests.
- Forget to Proofread: Typos and mistakes can distract from the elegance of your invitations. Make sure to double-check all names, dates, and details.
- Use Abbreviations: All words, including dates, times, and addresses, should be written out in full. For example, use “Saturday, the fifth of June” instead of “Sat, June 5”.
- Use Negative Language: Even when specifying what you don’t want (like children or smartphone use during the ceremony), try to phrase it in a positive way to maintain a warm and inviting tone. For example, instead of “No smartphones”, you could say “We kindly request an unplugged ceremony”.
- Overcrowd the Invitation: Keep your invitation clutter-free. Too much text or too many design elements can make it look chaotic and difficult to read. If you have additional information to share, consider including a separate details card or directing guests to your wedding website.
Addressing Guests Properly
Your guests’ names should be written out fully on the invitation.
If you’re inviting a guest with a plus one, address the invitation to your invited guest and include “and Guest.” For families, address the invitation to the parents and include “and Family” or list the children’s names.
Example Wording for Different Types of Weddings
Here are some examples of how to word your invitations based on different types of weddings:
Traditional Wedding:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Jane Doe to Jack Smith [Date, Time, Venue]
Casual Wedding:
Join us for a celebration of love! Jane Doe and Jack Smith are getting hitched! [Date, Time, Venue]
Couple-Hosted Wedding:
Together with their families Jane Doe and Jack Smith invite you to join them in celebration of their marriage [Date, Time, Venue]
Destination Wedding:
Pack your bags and join us for the wedding of Jane Doe and Jack Smith in [Location] [Date, Time]
Elopement Announcement:
We've tied the knot! Jane Doe and Jack Smith joyfully announce their marriage on [Date, Location]
The wording of your wedding invitations, online or through the mail, should not only provide necessary details but also evoke the tone and feel of your upcoming celebration. By being mindful of these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your invitation wording perfectly encapsulates the spirit of your wedding day.