How To Word Your Wedding Invitations

Not sure where to start for wedding invitation wording? We wanted to share some examples of invitation wording & etiquette tips for all types of weddings. From the ceremony card, RSVP, accommodations, wedding weekend event card – we got you covered!

Ceremony Card

Who is hosting the wedding?  If the bride and groom are hosting with the help of their parent’s you could say something like: “Together with their families,” or, if the bride’s parents are hosting exclusively, you can say “Mr. and Mrs. Smith/request the honor of your presence/at the marriage of their daughter…” Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the wedding, however, times have changed and that’s why there’s so many different variations below!

Wedding Invitation Wording

Before you get started, some quick tips to consider for your wedding invitation wording:

• Bride’s name goes first
• Spell out all dates, ex. “Saturday, the fourth of June/two thousand sixteen”
• Capitalize only the day of the week and month, not the year or day
• Spell out times instead of saying A.M. or P.M. “two o’clock in the afternoon”
• Spell out addresses “Street” vs “St” and states “Illinois” vs “IL”
• Remove zip codes from ceremony cards. The ceremony card is a formal invitation, and should not include a zip code. If very specific directions are needed, consider including transportation info on another insert card, or link guests to your wedding website – also consider most guests nowadays have a smart phone or GPS
• Remove commas or periods from the end of a line, line-breaks between phrases act as punctuation
• Do you want to set a dress code? Include an optional line somewhere on the invite like “black tie attire” “semi-formal attire” “cocktail attire” “beach formal”

RSVP Card

The second most important card for any wedding invite suite is the response or RSVP card. The best way to word your RSVP insert is first deciding what information you need to collect from your guests, i.e. head counts, entree choices, etc. Mix and match from the suggestions below to create the perfect RSVP card for your wedding!

How to pick a response date?
Using a respond by date that’s 4 weeks from your wedding is the perfect amount of time. For destination weddings, or if you’re inviting a lot of out of town guests, add on a few weeks to give your guests enough time to make travel plans.

What does the ‘M’ line mean?

The “M” on the RSVP card signifies the first letter of a title like: Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Miss. Nowadays, a lot of couples opt for saying “Name(s)” instead. Either way works!

RSVP wording choices:

• Will attend / With regrets
• Happily accepts / Regretfully declines
• Can’t wait! / Sad to miss it
• Will attend / will be toasting from afar!
• Will be there! / Will be there in spirit
• Delighted to attend / Sending regrets
• Yes, I would love to come! / No, sorry, but I have a really good excuse!

How do I politely say it’s adults only?

• While we love to watch kids run and play, this is an adults only kind of day
• We love kids, but this evening is a night out just for you
• Adults only please
• Due to limited numbers, we are sadly unable to extend this invitation to children. We hope you will see this as an opportunity to enjoy an adult day, let your hair down and that you are still able to join us on our special day.

Add-on’s:

• Advice to the bride and groom: _______________________
• We promise to dance if you play: _______________________
• Reception song request: _______________________

Info Insert Card

Our bundled invites come standard with a second insert card that you may use for any additional type of wording you need. The most common ways our clients use the second info card is to print: accommodations/travel, reception info, registry or website link, wedding weekend event cards, etc.

Use an accommodations card if…

You have a lot of guests that are coming from out of town or long distances. Always make sure to mention of there is a group code or room block, as well as when to reserve by date. If there is any shuttle or specific transportation information you need to let guests know about, an accommodations insert is the perfect way to do so. Also listing your wedding website can be helpful for additional information and direct links to the hotels.

accommodations with room block

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 317.822.3500
To secure special rates please reference the “Babb/Yillalta Wedding”
Reserve by September twenty-sixth

accommodations with room block & shuttle info

A block of rooms has been reserved under the Cullen/Manning Wedding

The Drake Chicago
6 East Pearson Street
Chicago, Illinois
312.503.1100

A shuttle will be provided from The Drake one hour prior
to the ceremony and will be available after the reception

accommodations with multiple hotels

Please view our website for more information on accommodations, directions, and maps to the venue: www.ariannaanddylantaketheplunge.com

SoHo Grand Hotel
310 West Broadway
New York, New York

SoHo Courtyard Marriot
181 Varick Street
New York, New York

Millenium Hilton Tribeca
55 Church Street
New York, New York

Use a reception card if…

the reception does not immediately follow the ceremony or it is held at a different location than the ceremony. Even if your ceremony does immediately follow, but at a different location, the reception card is a must-have!

reception to follow

Please join us for dinner and dancing
as we continue the celebration
six o’clock in the evening

The River Café
1 Water Street
Brooklyn, New York

reception immediately to follow at different location

The celebration continues
immediately following the ceremony

The River Café
1 Water Street
Brooklyn, New York

For more details on transportation, please visit:
www.ariannalovesdylan.com

reception with dress code

Please join us for
dinner, dancing &
toasting in the New Year

half-past seven in the evening

Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
1401 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey

Black tie

reception with adults only line

To share in our happiness
please join us for
Cocktails, dinner and dancing
At four o’clock in the afternoon
Eagle Brook Golf Club
2108 Club Drive
Gilroy, Nevada
Adults only please

Use a wedding weekend card if…WEDDING INVITATION WORDING

You need to inform guests of all of the activities your weekend entails – and let them know the when and where. Need to know a headcount, or who’s attending the wedding weekend activities? List each activity with an option to respond on your RSVP card.

multiple events card

Friday
Drinks with the bride and groom at a local bar

Saturday
The wedding! Shuttle will be provided to and from the wedding venue throughout the evening so you can return to the hotel when your dancing shoes wear out

Sunday
Brunch with the new Mr. & Mrs. at the Bride’s parents’ home
5 Oak Circle, San Jose, California

For more info on accommodations, the weekend events, and things to do in the area visit: www.ariannalovesdylan.com

pre-wedding gathering

Please join us for a cocktail hour
the evening before we take the plunge!

Friday, August 16th, 2018
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Aviary
955 West Fulton Market
Chicago, Illinois
Please be sure to arrive promptly at the time designated.

For accommodations and other information, please visit:
www.ariannalovesdylan.com

post reception after-party

Please join the newlyweds as
they continue the celebration
following the reception

The Aviary
955 West Fulton Market
Chicago, Illinois

day-after brunch

Continue the celebration the following morning from 9 – 11am
in the Oval Room at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel

Hosted by the groom’s parents

DESTINATION WEDDING INFO CARD

Are you wondering
Where to stay?
What to do in Mexico?
When you can get a margarita?
How to RSVP?
Who these people are?

All of this and more at our wedding website
www.ariannaanddylan.com

While we would LOVE to have all of you with us at our wedding,
we understand that some of you will be unable to join us in Mexico.
You will be there with us in spirit and we will have a margarita for you!

Click here to check out all of our wedding invitations

Wedding Invitation Wording