Wedding invitation wording: 30 examples for every style

What every wedding invitation should include

Pretty words come second. An invitation is a practical document: guests use it to plan their day, book travel and arrange childcare. Check that yours covers:

• Who is hosting. Usually the couple; sometimes one or both sets of parents.
• Who is invited. Address guests by name, and name both people if you’re inviting a couple.
• Date, day and time. The day of the week prevents mix-ups. Give the time guests should arrive, not just when the ceremony starts.
• Venue and address. Add parking, transport or directions if the venue is hard to find.
• RSVP deadline and how to reply. “Kindly reply by June 15” — without a date, replies trickle in until the week of the wedding.
• Extras, if relevant: dress code, adults-only, plus-ones, gift wishes, accommodation.

Formal wedding invitation wording

• 1. Classic, hosted by the couple

  Together with their families Emily Carter and James Walker request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, the twelfth of September at four o’clock in the afternoon The Old Mill, Riverside Lane

• 2. Hosted by the bride’s parents

  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Sophie Anne to Daniel Brooks Saturday, the fifth of June at three o’clock St. Mary’s Church, Oxford

• 3. Hosted by both families

  Together with their parents Anna Petrova and Michael Green invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows Friday, August 21, at 5 pm Lakeview Gardens

• 4. Religious ceremony

  With joy and thanks to God we invite you to the marriage of Grace Miller and Thomas Reed Saturday, May 16, at 2 pm Holy Trinity Church Reception to follow

• 5. Two venues

  Olivia and Ethan invite you to their wedding. Ceremony at 2 pm at the Town Hall, followed by dinner and dancing at 5 pm at The Orchard House. Kindly reply by July 1.

• 6. Minimalist

  Laura & Ben are getting married 09.19.2026 The Glasshouse, London Please reply by August 1

• 7. For colleagues

  Dear Mr. Johnson, We would be delighted if you could join us for our wedding on Saturday, October 10, at 4 pm at Hillside Manor. Please let us know by September 1 whether you can attend.

Warm and personal wording

• 8. For close friends

  You’ve been with us from the very first date — so of course we want you there when we say “I do.” Saturday, June 20, 4 pm, at The Barn. Please reply by May 20.

• 9. Our story

  Five years ago we met at a friend’s birthday party. On September 5 we’re getting married, and we’d love you to celebrate with us at Rosewood Farm at 3 pm.

• 10. Small wedding

  We’re keeping it small — just the people we love most. Join us for dinner and our vows on Friday, April 24, at 6 pm at Luca’s Restaurant.

• 11. Summer garden

  A long summer evening, fairy lights and good friends. Join us on Saturday, July 11, at 5 pm in the garden at Maple Cottage.

• 12. Winter wedding

  Cold outside, warm inside. Join us for our winter wedding on Saturday, December 12, at 3 pm at The Lodge. Hot chocolate guaranteed.

• 13. For grandparents

  Dear Grandma, this day wouldn’t be complete without you. We’re getting married on Saturday, August 15, at 2 pm, and we’ve saved you the best seat.

• 14. Together for years

  Nine years, two kids and one dog later, we’re making it official. Come celebrate with us on Saturday, June 6, at 4 pm at The Boathouse.

• 15. Destination wedding

  We’re getting married by the sea! Saturday, September 12, in Kotor, Montenegro. Details on travel and hotels are in the invitation. Please reply by June 1 so we can plan together.

Funny wedding invitation wording

• 16. Official announcement

  Breaking news: Kate and Sam are officially retiring from single life. Farewell party on Saturday, August 22, at 5 pm at The Yard. Dress code: ready to dance.

• 17. The dog’s invitation

  Woof! My humans, Lucy and Mark, are finally getting married. I’ll be the ring bearer. Saturday, June 13, 3 pm, Willow Park. Please RSVP — I need to count the treats.

• 18. Weather forecast

  Forecast for Saturday, July 25: from 4 pm at The Terrace, a 100% chance of love, scattered tears and heavy dancing until midnight.

• 19. For tech friends

  Release date: September 26, 4 pm. Two years of beta testing completed successfully. Launch party at The Loft — RSVP by August 26 to get on the list.

• 20. Eat, drink, be married

  We’re getting married! There will be food, drinks and questionable dancing. Saturday, May 30, 5 pm, at Brick Lane Hall.

• 21. Short and sweet

  We decided being together is more fun — now it’s official. Saturday, October 3, 4 pm. Be there!

Short wording for a text or messenger

• 22. Universal

  Anna and Mike are getting married! Saturday, August 15, 4 pm, at The Willows. All the details and the RSVP are at the link — please reply by July 15.

• 23. For a friend

  Hi Mia! Josh and I are getting married on October 3 and we really want you there. Here’s your invitation — RSVP takes one minute.

• 24. Save the date

  Save the date: September 12, 2026. Nastya and Ilya are getting married! The full invitation will follow.

• 25. Family group chat

  Hi everyone! We’re sending out invitations — each of you will get a personal link from us. You can RSVP right in the invitation.

Wording for tricky situations

• 26. Adults-only

  We love your little ones, but we’ve planned this celebration as an adults-only evening. We hope you can enjoy a night off with us!

• 27. Cash gifts

  Your presence is the greatest gift. If you’d like to give something more, a contribution to our honeymoon fund would mean the world to us.

• 28. Plus-ones

  This invitation is for you and a guest. Please add their name when you RSVP so we can seat you together.

• 29. No plus-one

  Our venue has limited space, so we’re only able to invite the guests named on this invitation. Thank you for understanding.

• 30. Date change

  Please note: our wedding has moved from August 15 to August 22. The time and venue stay the same. Kindly update your RSVP using the same link.

How to make the invitation feel personal

The most powerful word in any invitation is the guest’s name. “Dear Rachel” reads very differently from “Dear guests.” With paper, that means writing every card by hand; with an online invitation, the name can be filled in for each guest automatically.

In Vmeste every guest gets their own link to the online invitation. Their name is already on it, and your dashboard shows who has opened the invitation and what they replied. Need a quick way to collect replies? Read how to collect wedding RSVPs online.

Common wording mistakes

• No RSVP deadline. Without a date, guests put off replying.
• A date without the day of the week. “Saturday, August 15” is harder to misread than “8/15.”
• A joke instead of information. The date and venue must be readable at a glance.
• Unclear who is invited. If you’re inviting a family with children or a guest with a plus-one, say so.
• Too much text. Anything beyond five or six lines belongs in separate sections: schedule, map, dress code.
• Misspelled names. Double-check them — people remember.