Wedding Invitation Wording: Templates for Every Situation
Invitation wording is where etiquette anxiety peaks: who to list, how to phrase it, and how to say 'no children' without starting a family incident. The good news is that almost every situation has a conventional answer you can copy.
Below are copy-ready templates for formal, casual, and complicated family situations, plus RSVP card wording that stops guests from adding uninvited names, and the correct phrasing for every awkward line.
The five parts of an invitation
Every wedding invitation, formal or casual, answers the same five questions in the same order: who is hosting, who is getting married, what the guest is being invited to, when and where it is, and what happens afterwards. Change the tone as much as you like; do not change the order, because guests scan for information in that sequence.
- Host line — whoever is paying, or 'Together with their families' when it is shared
- Request line — 'request the honour of your presence' (religious) or 'the pleasure of your company' (secular)
- Names — full names for formal, first names for casual
- Date, time, and place — spelled out in formal wording, numerals in casual
- Reception line — 'Dinner and dancing to follow' or 'Reception to follow at…'
Formal wording templates
Mr. and Mrs. James Andrew Reynolds request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Katherine Anne to Michael David Chen Saturday, the fourteenth of June two thousand twenty-six at half after four in the afternoon Saint Mary's Church Charleston, South Carolina Dinner and dancing to follow
Together with their families Katherine Anne Reynolds and Michael David Chen request the pleasure of your company at their marriage Saturday, the fourteenth of June two thousand twenty-six at half after four in the afternoon The Cedar Room Charleston, South Carolina Reception to follow
Katherine Anne Reynolds and Michael David Chen invite you to share in their joy as they exchange marriage vows Saturday, the fourteenth of June two thousand twenty-six at half after four in the afternoon The Cedar Room Charleston, South Carolina Dinner, dancing, and celebration to follow
Casual and modern wording
Kate and Mike are getting married! Join us Saturday, June 14, 2026 4:30 in the afternoon The Cedar Room 120 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow
We're doing the thing. Kate Reynolds + Mike Chen June 14, 2026 · 4:30 pm The Cedar Room, Charleston Come hungry. Wear comfortable shoes. Details and RSVP: kateandmike.com
With the people we love most, Kate and Mike are getting married in the garden where they met. Saturday, June 14, 2026 at 4:30 pm 28 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston Supper under the trees to follow
Divorced, remarried, and deceased parents
These situations have established conventions, which is genuinely helpful — you can point to etiquette rather than making a judgement call that upsets someone.
Ms. Susan Reynolds and Mr. James Reynolds request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Katherine Anne
Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Halloway request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Katherine Anne Reynolds
Katherine Anne Reynolds daughter of Susan Reynolds and the late James Reynolds and Michael David Chen invite you to share in their joy
RSVP card wording
The RSVP card should make the number of reserved seats explicit. That single line prevents the most common invitation problem: guests adding people you did not invite.
Kindly respond by the first of May M ______________________________ ___ accepts with pleasure ___ declines with regret We have reserved ___ seat(s) in your honour
Kindly respond by May 1, 2026 Name(s): ______________________________ ___ Joyfully accepts ___ Regretfully declines Please select an entrée for each guest: ___ Beef ___ Fish ___ Vegetarian Dietary restrictions: ______________________
We've gone paperless. Please RSVP by May 1 at kateandmike.com/rsvp We have reserved 2 seats in your honour.
How to word the awkward parts
| What you mean | What to write |
|---|---|
| No children | "We respectfully request an adults-only celebration" — on the website or a details card, not the invitation |
| No plus-ones | Address the envelope to named guests only, and state the seat count on the RSVP card |
| No gifts | "Your presence is the only gift we need" |
| We'd prefer money | "If you wish to give a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon fund would be treasured" — website only |
| Unplugged ceremony | "We invite you to be fully present with us — please keep phones away during the ceremony" |
| Dress code | Bottom right corner of the invitation: "Black tie", "Cocktail attire", "Garden party" |
| Reception only | Send a separate reception invitation; do not mention the ceremony |
| Details on the website | "Travel, accommodation, and RSVP at kateandmike.com" |
When to send everything
| Item | Send | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Save-the-dates | 6–8 months before | 8–12 months for destination weddings |
| Invitations | 6–8 weeks before | 3 months for destination weddings |
| RSVP deadline | 3–4 weeks before | One week before the caterer's final count |
| Rehearsal dinner invites | With the invitation or 4 weeks before | Only to attendees |
| Thank-you notes | Within 3 months of the wedding | Within 2 weeks for gifts received early |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct wedding invitation wording?
Any wording works as long as it covers the five elements in order: host line, request line, the couple's names, date and location, and the reception line. Formal invitations spell out dates and times in words and use full legal names; casual ones use numerals and first names.
Whose name goes first on a wedding invitation?
Traditionally the bride's name comes first when her family hosts. For same-sex couples or when the couple hosts, either order is correct — alphabetical or whichever sounds better read aloud is a perfectly good tiebreaker.
How do I say no children on a wedding invitation?
Do not put it on the invitation itself. Address the envelope to named adults only, and add a line to your wedding website or details card such as "We respectfully request an adults-only celebration." Follow up personally with anyone who RSVPs with children.
How do I word an invitation when parents are divorced?
List each parent on their own line, mother first, with no 'and' joining them if they are not hosting jointly as a couple. If a parent has remarried and the step-parent is co-hosting, list them together as a couple on their own line.
When should wedding invitations be mailed?
Six to eight weeks before the wedding, or three months for a destination wedding. Set the RSVP deadline three to four weeks before the wedding so you have a chasing window before your caterer's final headcount is due.
Can I ask for money instead of gifts?
Yes, but only on your wedding website, never on the invitation. Phrase it as an option rather than a request — for example, "If you wish to give a gift, a contribution towards our honeymoon would be treasured."
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