Wedding invitation wording
The format of a wedding invitation, with wording to copy
What goes on a wedding invitation, in what order, and how to say it. Pick the example that sounds like you and change the details.
What to include on a wedding invitation
A wedding invitation usually follows the same order, so your guests find what they need quickly:
- The hosts: who is inviting guests, often the couple, their parents, or both.
- The request line: the sentence that invites guests to celebrate with you.
- The couple's names.
- The date and the time the ceremony starts.
- The venue, with the town, so guests can find it.
- What happens afterwards, for example a reception or dinner.
- The dress code, if you have one.
- How and by when to reply (the RSVP).
Formal wedding invitation wording
A traditional invitation names the hosts first and uses the longer, more formal phrasing. Write the date and time in words.
Mr and Mrs Pieter van der Merwe
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Anel
to
Pieter Botha
on Saturday, the thirteenth of March
two thousand and twenty-seven
at half past three in the afternoon
Rosewood Estate, Stellenbosch
Dinner and dancing to follow
Kindly reply by the first of February
Modern wedding invitation wording
If the couple is hosting, or you want a warmer tone, speak to your guests directly. This is the most popular style today.
Together with their families
Anel & Pieter
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Saturday, 13 March 2027 at 15:30
Rosewood Estate, Stellenbosch
Dinner and dancing to follow
Dress code: cocktail
Please reply by 1 February
Casual and personal wording
For a relaxed wedding, write the way you talk. Keep every detail guests need, and let your personality do the rest.
We're getting married!
Come and celebrate with us
Anel & Pieter
13 March 2027, from 15:30
Rosewood Estate, Stellenbosch
Food, music and dancing. Come hungry!
Let us know you're coming by 1 February
Wording for a digital wedding invitation
A digital invitation can be shorter, because the details live on your wedding website. Keep the message you send with the link warm and clear.
Anel & Pieter are getting married!
Saturday, 13 March 2027
Rosewood Estate, Stellenbosch
All the details are on our wedding website.
Please tap the link below to RSVP by 1 February.
With bloomwed, that link opens your invitation, your details and your RSVP form in one place. See how it works on our digital wedding invitation page.
Putting your wording on a bloomwed invitation
Your bloomwed invitation shows your names, the date and time, the venue and its address, your dress code, your story, and an RSVP form, in the theme and font you choose.
There is also an optional “Hosted by” line above your names. Write “Together with their families”, or the full formal wording from your parents, and it appears in place of the standard welcome. Everything else in the examples above has its own place on your site too.
Tips for getting the wording right
- Put the most important facts, the date, time and venue, where the eye lands first.
- Give an RSVP date about four to six weeks before the wedding, so you have time to plan numbers.
- Say clearly whether children are invited, in a kind and simple way, for example on your website.
- Include the town and, if the venue is hard to find, a link to directions.
- Read it aloud, and ask someone else to check the date, spelling of names and times.
Questions couples ask
What is the correct format of a wedding invitation?
Start with the hosts, then the request line, the couple's names, the date and time, the venue, any reception details, the dress code and the RSVP details. Formal invitations spell out the date and time in words. Modern ones use numbers.
Who should be named first on a wedding invitation?
The hosts, meaning whoever is inviting the guests. This is traditionally the bride's parents, but today it is often both sets of parents or the couple themselves.
When should I send wedding invitations?
Most couples send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, and earlier for a destination wedding or a wedding at a busy time of year.
How do I word the RSVP line?
Keep it simple: "Kindly reply by 1 February" or "Please let us know by 1 February", followed by where to reply. With a wedding website, that is the link to your RSVP form.
Can I use the same wording for a digital invitation?
Yes. You can use any of the examples above. A digital invitation can be shorter, because your wedding website holds the full details.
Put your wording on a wedding website
Add your details once and share one link. Guests see everything and reply on the same page.
Create your wedding website