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WONDERING HOW TO WORD YOUR INVITATIONS?
this guide will help explain what cards you need and how to word them
Your suite is the first look into your wedding day and will provide your guests with all of the information they need.
Traditionally, Invitation Suites include three to four cards. ​
main invitation
The Main Invitation contains the information for your ceremony. It can be broken down to the following lines:
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Host Line
This indicates who is paying for the wedding and is a way to acknowledge their generosity.
If the Bride’s parents are hosting, their name is listed first: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honour of
your presence at the wedding of their daughter”
If the Bride’s parents are married, they are listed on the same line. If the Bride’s parent’s are divorced, their names will be on different lines. Step-Parent’s are not usually listed, unless the Couple chooses to. Deceased parents are usually not listed. Traditionally, the Groom’s Parents are not listed.
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If the Groom’s parents are hosting, their names will be listed “Mr. and Mrs. James Jones request the honour of your presence at the wedding of [Bride’s Name] to their son [Groom’s Name]”
If both families are hosting “Together with their families”
If the Bride and Groom are hosting “The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of [Bride and Groom]”
Request to attend
This is where your guests are asked to attend your wedding! If your wedding is formal, formal language would be appropriate. If you want a more laid back vibe, use more casual language.
“The honour of your presence” indicates a religious ceremony in a place of worship. “Honour” or “Honor” are acceptable here. “The pleasure of your company” and similar imply a non-religious ceremony
Other non-religious ceremony options:
“cordially invite you to attend” “would love for you to join them” “would be delighted by your presence”
“invite you to celebrate with them” “invite you to their wedding” “joyfully request the pleasure of your company”
“invite you to celebrate their marriage” “invite you to join them” “invite you to the celebration of”
Couple's names
For different sex couples, the bride’s name is listed first. If the bride’s parent’s names are listed on the host line the bride can be listed by their first and middle name with no last name. In this case, the Groom’s name will be listed with their First, Middle, and Last Names. Middle names are optional.
For same sex or gender neutral couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order by last name, by preference, or what looks best in the design.
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Date and Time
This is the date and time your guests will show up for your ceremony. Don't make the mistake of listing this time earlier than the actual start time! The start time will be listed in the traditional format of "Three o'clock in the afternoon" or "half after six in the evening." "O'Clock" is traditional for top of the hour, "half after" is traditional for times on the 30. 12:00am to 11:59am is considered morning. 12:00pm to 5:30pm is considered afternoon. 5:31pm to 11:59pm is considered evening.
Traditionally the date and time are written out formally; "Saturday, the third of June" the year will be on a separate line and is also written out "Two thousand twenty-three" (note, the year never includes "and" two thousand and twenty-three is incorrect).
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Location
This is the ceremony name and address. The address is written out formally. Ex: Road instead of Rd. and Pennsylvania instead of PA
If your Reception is at the same location as your ceremony, and immediately following your Ceremony, “Reception to follow” will be listed at the bottom, and dress code would be included in this case.
Reception card
If your Ceremony and Reception are in the same location you will not need this card.
If your Ceremony and Reception are in different locations and require your guests to travel from one to the other, keep reading!
Wording can be flexible, the two most common ways are:
“Join us for a cocktail hour beginning at five-thirty in the evening. Dinner and dancing to follow”
or
“Join us for drinks, dinner, and dancing beginning at five-thirty in the evening”
Your reception name and address will be listed without a zip code.
Dress code is optional but would be listed here. If you do not have a reception card, your dress code is listed on the main invitation.
Dress codes
Dress codes make sure your guests are dressed properly for your event!
We recommend listing a dress code that is easy for your guests to find online for clarity. ​
Come as you are
very casual, jeans, shorts, etc.
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casual
Sun dresses for women and business casual attire for men, this is more laid back, and while it does not denote jeans, some guests may arrive in jeans or very causal attire.
Semi-formal or cocktail
This is cocktail attire, suits and cocktail dresses are appropriate.
If no attire is listed, this is what most guests associate with wedding wear.
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black tie or formal
Tuxedos and floor length dresses required
White tie
This is the MOST formal of events, a White House level event.
Tuxedos with tails, white shirt, vest, and gloves, and long formal gowns required
Accommodations or details card
This can be titled Accommodations, Details, or Information depending on what is included.
This card will help your guests make plans for your wedding day or wedding weekend!
Hotel blocks are included here. Include the Hotel’s name, address, and phone number. The website should be included if guests can book with the group rate online. The group code and date to book by should be listed if applicable.
If transportation from hotels to the Ceremony and Reception is provided, that should be noted here.
If you are hosting a welcome event or farewell brunch, note it here unless a separate invitation is extended. Any additional information you’d like to share with your guests should be added here.
Include your website to keep guests up to date on any additional accommodations, events, and things to do.
RSVP Card and envelope
This is how your guests tell you they are coming to your wedding! The RSVP envelopes need to be stamped prior to sending your suites.
Requesting a date of return is important. We recommend 6 weeks prior to your wedding date to ensure you have enough time for escort cards and other day-of items. Most venues have a deadline to have a final guest count or entrée selection. You may also set your reply by date one to two weeks prior so you will have time to organize replies and contact anyone who forgot to RSVP.
If guests need to select their entree options when replying short versions of the entrees should be listed.
“Beef” or “Filet,” “Chicken” or “Stuffed Chicken Breast,” “Vegetarian” or “Vegetarian Ravioli” are acceptable
Most venues will make special accommodations with their menus for those with food sensitivities or special diets. If your venue does, a write-in space will be added at the bottom.
Your RSVP envelopes must be stamped before sending your invitations to your guests!
Many couples choose to address their envelopes with their future married name, "The Future Mr. and Mrs. Lance Waverly"
Some couples choose to list both names of the couple "The Future Mr. and Mrs. Lance and Meghan Waverly"
If RSVPs are send to the host(s), a planner, or anyone else their name and address would be listed instead.
RSVP envelope addressing are included in our pricing.
If you prefer guests RSVP online, we recommend including a digital RSVP card. Guests will not inherently know to RSVP without being directed to the website. This card will include the RSVP by date, the URL to RSVP, and a QR code that leads directly to your RSVP website.
Please note QR Codes cannot be foiled or thermography, they work well with digital printing and letterpress.
Download this guide!