An authentic guide to wedding invitation wording, with 26 examples to guide you
Getting your wedding invitation wording just right can feel like a challenge. The sheer amount of advice online is daunting! Which “complete guide to wedding invitation wording” is best? Are wedding invitations worded differently in the UK to the US? And which variation of wedding invitation etiquette will fit your family circumstances? If this all feels like an impossible task, I’m here to help. I’m a wedding stationery designer and calligrapher, and I’ve been advising couples on wording their invitations for well over a decade. Things have changed recently, and the loveliest trend in wedding invites is authenticity. Here’s everything you need to know.
Relaxed modern wedding invitation from By Moon & Tide Calligraphy / Image credit Jessica Reeve Photography
Getting wedding invitation wording right (in 2025)
I’ll talk you through:
- Bringing wedding invitation wordings up to date
- Does etiquette matter?
- Modern wedding invitation wordings
- Formal, traditional and alternative wordings for your invites
Simple botanical wedding invitation from By Moon & Tide. Image by Oobaloos Wedding Photography
Bringing wedding invitation wordings up to date
Along with every other aspect of weddings, the key trend in invitations and their wordings is personality and authenticity. That means sending invitations that:
- Sound like they’re from you
- You feel comfortable with!
So, the aesthetic of your wedding invites (colours, design, whether you choose wax seals and silk ribbon or a sharp arch cut and vibrant palette) fit your personalities like a glove. So should the wording on your wedding invitations. That’s authenticity in a nutshell, and it’s the future of wedding stationery!
If it feels weird to ask your besties for “the honour of their presence” don’t do it. There are infinite ways to pop that particular question without feeling like you’re inviting royalty over for tea. (Keep reading…)
Of course this is your choice. It can be charming and lovely to incorporate tradition into your wedding invitations by going all out on etiquette. Bridgerton weddings happened and we get it! But embracing authenticity right from the word go with your wedding invitation wording is our favourite thing about weddings right now.
Kraft wedding stationery with calligraphy details By Moon and Tide. Image credit Jessica Reeve Photography
Does wedding invitation etiquette matter?
You decide. I’ve loved talking about wedding etiquette on English Wedding over the years, and personally I’d say to hell with etiquette. You might like to read Deconstructing the stuffy old dullness of wedding invitation wordings for the modern bride and groom!
Your personalities should answer this question for you, along with the style of wedding you’ve chosen. If you’re having a relaxed wedding in a non-traditional venue, with a modern vibe where you choose which traditions to follow and which to avoid like the plague, you can safely ditch etiquette when wording your invitations.
“Gracefully asking your guests to join you on your wedding day is the goal. Your invitations should make your guests smile (not yawn; not skim read to the best bits) and have them looking forward to your big day. Beautiful design goes a long way – and throwing in some personal touches makes any wedding invite unique and special.” ~ from English Wedding’s essential guide to non-boring wedding invitation wordings
If you’re embracing all the traditions because you both want to, then enjoy learning all the etiquette rules for sending wedding invites too! (Be warned, there are many!) Pemberly Fox have a thorough guide to more formally worded invitations here.
Botanical wedding stationery set from By Moon & Tide
Modern, authentically YOU wedding invitation wording examples
In the utter chaos of advice online, you could be forgiven for forgetting to put key information on your wedding invitations. Here are the bits that really, really matter:
- your names
- the date and time
- the venue
Anything else can go on your wedding website, or additional inserts
Alternative black wedding invitation and vows in calligraphy from By Moon and Tide. Image by Hannah Hall Photography
Here are 16 alternative modern wedding invitation wordings:
1. Casual & Fun
Love, laughter, and a lifetime together
Join us as we celebrate our wedding
Partner 1 & Partner 2
invite you to share in the joy on
Date | Time | Venue
Delicious dinner and dancing until dawn!
2. Elegant & Minimalist
Together with their families,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
will be delighted if you can join them
as they celebrate their wedding
on Date at Venue
Reception to follow.
3. Modern & Romantic
We found love, and now it’s forever!
Join us as we say “I do”
Partner 1 & Partner 2
Date | Time | Venue
Celebration to follow.
Relaxed modern wedding calligraphy invitation By Moon and Tide / Image credit Lara Rios Photography
4. Destination Wedding
Pack your bags – we’re getting married!
Join us for an unforgettable wedding weekend in Location
Partner 1 & Partner 2
Wedding day: Date
All details at Wedding Website
5. Short & Chic
Let’s celebrate love!
Partner 1 & Partner 2
invite you to their wedding
on Date at Venue
Join us for an evening of love, laughter, and joy.
6. Lighthearted & Playful
It all started with a message…
Now we’re saying “I do”!
Join us, Partner 1 & Partner 2, for our wedding celebration
on Date at Venue
followed by an evening of food, music, and dancing
7. Simple and sweet
Join us as we celebrate our love story!
Partner 1 & Partner 2
invite you to witness their union
on Date | Venue
Dinner and dancing to follow.
8. Love & Celebration
With joyful hearts,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
invite you to share in their love and celebrate their wedding day
on Date at Venue
A celebration of love, unity, and forever!
9. Celebrating LGBTQ marriage
Love is love, and we’re making it official!
Join us as we exchange vows and celebrate our forever
Partner 1 & Partner 2
Date | Time | Venue
Let’s eat, drink, and dance the night away!
10. Whimsical & Playful
We’re here, we’re in love, and we’re getting married!
Come celebrate with Partner 1 & Partner 2
as they say “I do” on Date
at Venue
Love, laughter, and dancing to follow!
11. Simple & Warm
Together is a beautiful place to be.
With love in our hearts, we,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
invite you to witness our wedding
on Date at Venue
Reception to follow.
12. Personal & Quirky
First came friendship, then love, now forever!
Join us, Partner 1 & Partner 2,
as we make it official!
Date | Time | Venue
Casual attire, big smiles, and dancing shoes encouraged!
13. Incorporating favourite lyrics
Louis and Charles are taking on the world!
The calm, the storm, we’ll face it all
With you by our sides
As we tie the knot
on Date at Time
at Venue
Bring your dancing shoes!
14. Casual & Warm
Nothing fancy, just love and a big celebration!
Partner 1 & Partner 2 are getting married, and we’d love you to be there.
Date | Time | Venue
Drinks, food, and dancing—let’s have a blast!
15. Playful & Simple
We found each other, now we just need you!
Join Partner 1 & Partner 2 as we say “I do” and throw a party to remember.
Date | Time | Venue
Wear your best dancing shoes!
16. Laid-Back & Fun
We’re getting hitched, and we want you there!
Join us, Partner 1 & Partner 2, for a day of love, laughter, and a big party.
Date | Time | Venue
Come hungry, thirsty, and ready to dance!
More formal wedding invitation wordings
17. Classic, hosted by you
Together with their families,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony to commence at Time
Reception to follow
18. Formal and elegant
The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
Partner 1 & Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony to begin at Time
Dinner and dancing to follow
19. One set of married parents hosting
Mr(s) and Mr(s) [Parent 1’s Surname]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their child
Partner 1
to
Partner 2, child of Mr(s) and Mr(s) [Parent 2’s Surname]
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
20. Both sets of married parents hosting
Mr(s) and Mr(s) [Parent 1’s Surname]
together with Mr(s) and Mr(s) [Parent 2’s Surname]
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding of their beloved children
Partner 1 & Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
21. Traditional and religious
With the blessings of their families,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
joyfully invite you to witness
the sacred union of their marriage
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Formal reception to follow
22.Very traditional
The honour of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Partner 1 & Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony to commence at Time
Reception to follow
Kindly respond by the First of Month
23. Hosted by divorced parents
Mr(s) [Parent 1’s Name] and Mr(s) [Parent 2’s Name]
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding of their child
Partner 1
to
Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
24. Hosted by a single parent
Mrs/Mr [Parent’s Name]
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their beloved child
Partner 1
to
Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
25. Hosted by parent and step parent
Mrs/Mr [Parent’s Name] and Mr/Mrs [Step parent’s Name]
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their child
Partner 1
to
Partner 2
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
26. Hosted by you, Acknowledging your Parents
With love, gratitude, and the blessings of their families,
Partner 1 & Partner 2
request the honour of your presence
to witness and celebrate their marriage
on the Date of Month, Two Thousand and Twenty-[Year]
at Venue
Ceremony at Time | Reception to follow
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