W E D D I N G   I N V I T A T I O N S - E S A N I

When it comes to wedding invitations and stationery, what to say and how to say can be confusing but the process doesn’t need to be stressful or complicated. 

Below are a few simple rules to help guide you:



Traditionally, the father of the bride pays for and hosts the wedding. Therefore the invitations come from the bride’s parents obviously listing their names.

Dates should be written in full in formal or traditional invites. For example, Saturday the thirteenth of March two thousand and ten at half after two o’clock in the afternoon.

​

Do not use abbreviations or full stops in formal invitations, including addresses (Street, Lane etc). The exception is for titles, such as Mr. Dr. Mrs. Etc.

Spell out full names in formal or traditional invitations including middle names. It is better to omit a middle name than simply list one letter. Use roman numerals for

any numbers in titles e.g. Peter Markus Harris IV.

Wedding etiquette dictates the bride should be listed first before the groom where applicable.

When weddings take place at a religious venue, use ‘request the honour of your presence’. Secular formal ceremonies should read ‘request the pleasure of the company of’.

Let your guests know if you are not providing a full meal.



In general, send your invites about six weeks before the event where possible.



Adult Reception is a polite way to inform guests you wish not to have children at the reception.

Women who are widowed should be addressed according to their late husband’s name, with “Mrs.” as the title (i.e. Mrs. Robert Morris).

The word “and” in between two names traditionally implies that those people are married. Names of unmarried hosts or guests should be stacked.

​

Wording suggestions

 

Both parents hosting invite:

(Bride’s & Groom’s parent’s names)
Request the honor of your presence
At the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s full name)
To
(Grooms full name)
(day, date)
At (time)
(location details)
Dress: Lounge Suit
We would be honoured if you would
share this special occasion with us

RSVP by (date, details to whom RSVP)

----------

or...  request the pleasure of the company of

or... invite you to join in the celebration of the marriage of
their children

or... for a celebration of love, friendship, laughter and family



Bride and Groom hosting:

The honor of your presence is requested
At the marriage of
(Brides full name)
And
(Grooms full name)
(day, date)
At (time)
(location)
Dress: Lounge Suit
RSVP by (date, details to whom RSVP)

----------

or...  request the pleasure of the company of

or... for a celebration of love, friendship, laughter and family

or... would love you to help us celebrate our marriage

or... you are invited to share in the celebration of our marriage



Invite for a second wedding:

Please join us
As we celebrate new beginnings, new life, and most importantly, new love
at the marriage of
(Bride’s name)
and
(Grooms name)
(day, date, year)
(day, date, year)
(time) in the afternoon
(location)
Dinner and dancing to follow
Dress: Lounge Suit
RSVP by (date, details to whom RSVP)



Deceased parent invite:

(Bride’s name)
daughter of (Bride’s mother’s name) and the (late Brides fathers name)
and (Groom’s name)
son of (Groom’s fathers and mothers name)
request the honour of your
presence at their marriage

 

 

​Divorced parents invite: ​

Wedding Invitation Wording when Divorced Parents are Co-hosting the wedding

Individual title and first and surname with Mother first and next line
Father’s title and First and surname
request the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s name)
with
(Groom’s name)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
RSVP

 

 

Wedding invitation wording when bride’s mother has remarried
yet both parents are hosting the wedding together:

Individual title and first and surname with Mother first and next line
Father’s title and First and surname
request the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s name)
with
(Groom’s name)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
RSVP



Wedding Invitation wording when bride’s mother and stepfather
are hosting the wedding​​:

(Bride’s mother and stepfather: Mr and Mrs Step Father’s First Name and Surname)
request the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s name)
with
(Groom’s name)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
RSVP



Wedding invitation wording when the bride’s mother is widowed:

The pleasure of your company is requested
At the marriage of
Bride’s full name
daughter of (mother’s first name) and the late (late father’s first and last name)
to Groom’s full name
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
RSVP



Wedding invitation wording when bride’s mother has remarried:

yet both parents are hosting the wedding together

Individual title and first and surname with Mother first and next line
Father’s title and First and surname
request the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s name)
with
(Groom’s name)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
RSVP



Other wording ideas

Two best friends have decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Please join us to
celebrate the marriage of...



We would love you to be there while we tie the knot!



(Bride and Groom) invite you to share in the joy when they exchange marriage vows and
begin their new life together...



Boy met girl. For the rest of the story join us on...



We will walk side by side, hand in hand ... forever.



(Bride and Groom’s names) invite you to join their celebration of love, friendship and commitment.

(Bride and Groom’s names) warmly invite you to be a part of their wedding day.



Your love and friendship have helped us become who we are. Together with out parents we invite you to
share our joy and support our love, as we exchange vows and celebrate our marriage.
 



What dress code to put on invitations

Here is a quick guide to the main dress codes and what they mean.

Black Tie
A black tie dress code is appropriate for a formal event (and would usually indicate an evening affair), where men wear a tuxedo and women wear a stylish evening gown or cocktail style dress.



White Tie
A white tie dress code is for an ultra formal event. It is more formal than black tie and calls for the most glamorous attire. This might include a ball-gown for ladies, gloves ,stole, a clutch or evening bag and glamorous hair and make-up. For the men, it might include an evening tail coat, white shirt, white waistcoat and white

bow-tie. Extra-glamerous ! 



Semi-Formal
It is somewhere between casual and formal. This dress code would allow men to wear a dark suit, and ladies a cocktail dress (tuxedos and long dresses are not necessary).  Sometimes this dress code can be a little ambiguous when written on an invitation, and can be interpreted differently from person to person.



Lounge Suit
The lounge suit dress code indicates an event which is not as formal as some of the other dress codes, yet it is still expected that guests dress stylishly. Men can get away with a coloured  business suit and shirt while women can don a cocktail style dress or fitted dress.



Cocktail
A cocktail dress code has typically been interpreted as being a dark suit for men and an elegant dress for ladies-brighter colours would also be suitable here.

Shorter knee-length cocktail dresses or full length are suitable.



Smart Casual
A Smart casual dress code does not necessarily mean jeans and a t-shirt. For the women, smart casual calls for a pretty dress (cocktail or other), tailored pants or a skirt with a stylish top. For the men- a suit and shirt- which can be both dark or light. A tie is optional at this style of wedding.



Casual
A casual dress code really says that anything goes. A dress (for ladies) or casual shirt and pants for the men.  But do be aware that even though the dress code states “Casual”, don’t forget that you are attending someone’s wedding,  so do dress casual but appropriately.