Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette: Traditional, Modern, and Unique Examples

Planning and ordering your wedding invitations can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding on the right wording. The style and structure of your invitations will depend on your circumstances, your chosen level of formality, and who is hosting the wedding. Understanding traditional etiquette, along with modern adaptations, will help you create an invitation that sets the right tone for your big day.

Traditionally, the bride’s parents would host and pay for the majority of the wedding. In this case, the wedding invitation would be issued in their names, making it clear that they are hosting the day. An example might read:

Mr and Mrs A. Hickman

request the pleasure of

..............................................

at the marriage of their daughter

Nicola

to

Mr James Brendan Owen

at St Peter's Church, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 11:00am

and afterwards at

The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

This format includes the hosting parents’ names, the full names of the couple, the location of the ceremony, the date and time, and the reception venue. The RSVP would traditionally be sent back to the bride’s parents, but modern couples may choose to direct replies to themselves to keep better track.

For civil ceremonies, the wording is typically more straightforward, as the ceremony and reception are usually held in the same location. A civil wedding invitation could be phrased like this:

Mr and Mrs A. Hickman

request the pleasure of

..............................................

at the marriage of their daughter

Nicola

to

Mr James Brendan Owen

at The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 3:00pm

Followed by an evening reception

With only one venue to mention, you can keep the layout clean and clear. Including a separate RSVP card makes it easier for guests to reply promptly.

When divorced parents are hosting, the main consideration is ensuring both are represented respectfully and clearly. Instead of using “Mr and Mrs Hickman,” you can list them separately:

Mr Hickman and Mrs Hickman

request the pleasure of

..............................................

at the marriage of their daughter

Nicola

to

Mr James Brendan Owen

at St Peter's Church, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 1:00pm

and afterwards at

The Ramada Hotel

Habberley Road, Bewdley

If one parent has remarried, you would include their current name, for example: “Mr Hickman and Mrs Jones request the pleasure…” RSVP details can be added discreetly to the side or bottom.

When one parent has passed away, the surviving parent is named as the host. This maintains clarity while remaining sensitive. For example:

Mrs Jane Hickman

requests the pleasure of

..............................................

at the marriage of her daughter

Nicola

to

Mr James Brendan Owen

at St Peter's Church, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 1:00pm

and afterwards at

The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

If the father is deceased, the mother’s name would appear, and vice versa. This traditional approach still works well for formal weddings.

When the couple themselves are hosting and paying for the day, the invitation comes directly from them. This is common for modern weddings and gives a more personal feel. An example might be:

Miss Nicola Jones and Mr James Brendan Owen

request the pleasure of

..............................................

at their marriage

at Bridgnorth Register Office, Bridgnorth

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 11:00am

and afterwards for lunch at

The Mill Hotel, Alveley

This keeps the wording direct while still following a traditional flow. RSVP details would go directly to the couple.

Civil partnership ceremonies offer complete flexibility in style. Couples can make the wording as formal or relaxed as they like, while still including key details such as date, time, venue, and reception information. Examples include:

John and Mark

would be delighted if

..............................................

would join them at their

Civil Partnership ceremony

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 1:00pm

at The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

and afterwards for a champagne reception

Or for a slightly more formal version:

Together with their parents

John Evans and Mark Cooper

would be delighted if

..............................................

would join them as they pledge their commitment

to each other in a ceremony which will take place

at The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020 at 1:00pm

The ceremony will be followed by a

drinks reception in The Waterside Suite

The important thing is to clearly communicate the essentials while reflecting your personalities as a couple.

For guests invited to the evening celebration only, a separate invitation helps avoid confusion. This ensures evening guests know exactly when and where to arrive, without mistakenly attending earlier parts of the day. A sample might be:

Mr and Mrs A. Hickman

request the pleasure of

..............................................

at an evening reception

at The Ramada Hotel,

Habberley Road, Bewdley

on Saturday 2nd May 2020

at 7:00pm

following the marriage of their daughter

Nicola

to

Mr James Brendan Owen

Sending evening invitations early allows guests enough time to RSVP so you can finalise catering numbers. Including RSVP details on the invitation itself or via a separate card will make responses quicker and easier.

Whether you are following traditional etiquette or taking a modern approach, the key to wedding invitation wording is clarity, respect for all parties involved, and reflecting the tone of your celebration. Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse guests will have of your wedding day, so make it both informative and a true representation of your style as a couple.