Wedding Invitations: Your Complete Guide to Wording, Styles & What to Include
There’s no better way to set the tone for your celebration than with your wedding invitations. They will, after all, give your guests a glimpse into the style and theme of your event, so it’s important to get them right. But where do you start on your quest to find paper-based perfection?
Covering everything from wedding invite wording and etiquette to wedding invitation styles and the latest trends, our must-read guide below has all you need to know before you send a single envelope. And with an endless selection of designs and colours out there to choose from, we’ve shared a curated edit of some of our favourites UK stationers, too.
All that’s left for you to do is invite everyone!
What to Include on a Wedding Invitation
From location and timings to gift list details and RSVPs, it’s important to fill everyone in on the important details so you’re not opening yourself up to a whole load of queries from your guests. Here is everything you should aim to include in your wedding invitations:
- The names of the hosts (traditionally the parents of the bride but this won’t be the case for everyone)
- The couple’s names
- Date and time of the ceremony
- Location of the ceremony
- Reception details, if different from the ceremony venue
- RSVP information
Then, you may also want to include some additional information that will help guests plan ahead – such as details of a gift list, menu options, nearby accommodation, your policy on children and the order of proceedings. These can be presented on a separate card within your invitation suite, or you can direct guests to your wedding website where all this information can be found.
Wedding Invitation Wording Examples
Wondering how to word your wedding invitations? Use these wedding invitation templates to inspire your own invites. From traditional church ceremonies to modern and informal celebrations, discover wedding invite wording for every style of day.
Traditional wedding invitation wording
Since tradition dictates that it’s the bride’s parents who host the wedding, traditional wedding invitations will come ‘from’ them, and RSVPs would be sent back to their address. The wedding invite wording may read as follows:
Mr. & Mrs. John Smithrequest the pleasure of your companyat the marriage of their daughterEmmato Mr Liam Johnson
[venue name and location][date][time]
Followed by a reception at [venue name and location]
RSVP by 10 May to [parents’ address]
Formal both families wedding invitation wording
If you want to keep things formal but both sets of parents have contributed equally to the wedding, it’s important to reference them both. You can do this either by writing out both sets of names or using the phrase ‘together with their families’. Here are two ways to word wedding invitations if both sets of parents are hosting:
Together with their families, [name] and [name]request the pleasure of your companyat their marriage
[date and time][venue name and location]
Followed by a reception at [venue name and location]
RSVP by 10 May to [couple’s address]
Or…
Mr. & Mrs. John Smith &Mr & Mrs Harry Johnson invite you to celebrate the marriage of their childrenEmma and Liam
[venue name and location][date][time]
Followed by a reception at [venue name and location]
RSVP by 10 May to [parents’ or couple’s address]
Modern wedding invitation wording
Navigating modern family set-ups can be difficult but remember, there are no set rules as to how you word your wedding invitations – as long as guests know the when and where! The following wedding invitation wording example could work for modern couples but feel free to tweak to however suits you.
Together with their families Lucy Jackson & Sarah Rogers invite you to join them as they say, ‘I do!’
[venue name and location][date][time]
Followed by a reception at [venue name and location]
RSVP by 10 May to [phone number, email or address]
Informal wedding invitation wording
It’s not always necessary to include your parents’ names on your wedding invites – particularly if your day is set to be especially informal. Modern couples who want wedding invitation wording that’s laidback and more in-keeping with the style of their day could pick something like:
Emma and Liam are getting married!
Join us to celebrate at [venue name and location][date][time]
Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow
RSVP by 10 May to [phone, email or address]
Formal evening-only wedding invitation wording
If you’re wondering how to word evening-only wedding invitations, we’ve got some examples for you here. For a formal evening-only wedding invitation template, try the following:
Mr. & Mrs. John Smithrequest the pleasure of your company at a reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughterEmma toMr Liam Johnson
[venue name and location][date][time – e.g. from 7.30pm]
RSVP by 10 May to [parents’ address]
Informal evening-only wedding invitation wording
Want something more relaxed? An informal or modern evening-only invite might look like:
Lucy and Sarah invite you to an evening of drinks and dancingto celebrate their marriage!
[venue name and location][date][time – e.g. from 7.30pm]
RSVP by 10 May to [phone, email or address]
Civil ceremony wedding invitation wording
Civil ceremonies are the most popular wedding format in the UK, so if you’re getting married at a register office or licensed venue, something like this works well:
Alex and Jordan invite you to celebrate their marriage
[venue name and location] [date] [time]
Followed by a reception at [venue name and location]
RSVP by 10 May to [phone, email or address]
Whose name goes first on a wedding invitation?
Traditionally, it’s the bride’s name that precedes the groom’s on a wedding invitation. For instance, “Emma Smith and Liam Johnson”. However, modern invitations might not follow this convention, particularly if it’s not specifically the bride’s parents who are hosting or it’s an LGBTQ+ wedding. Do whatever feels right for you!
Wedding Invitation Styles
Whether you’re taking the budget-friendly route of DIY invites, are opting for something custom-made or even considering digital wedding invitations, the style of your wedding stationery is important.
Before diving into colours or typography, decide on an overarching theme or style. Are you fans of chic calligraphy, romantic florals, vintage motifs or elegant simplicity? Your theme will set the groundwork for other design elements, including the type of paper or material your invitations are printed on or made with, the printing technique itself and any finishing touches such as ribbons, lace, dried flowers, custom crests or wax seals.
Traditional wedding invitations
From custom crests to classic monochrome palettes, traditional wedding invites are perfect for those planning a black-tie or traditional church celebration. If you’re planning a vintage-inspired wedding, consider hand-torn edges and old-world calligraphy for a classic look that doesn’t feel dated.
Luxe wedding invitations
Embossed, glittered, embellished… metallics are a great way to make your wedding invitations feel super luxe. Consider additional finishing touches too, such as velvet ribbons and foil stamps.
Floral wedding invitations
For wedding invitations that look as beautiful as your bouquet, floral designs lend themselves well to garden or spring weddings.
Laser-cut wedding invitations
Laser-cut styles err on the side of traditional and lend a fairytale romance to your wedding day – think pop-up details and lace effects.
Illustrated wedding invitations
Want to turn your wedding invitations into a masterpiece? Personalised sketches of you or your wedding venue are a great way to give your guests a glimpse of what’s to come. They’re also beautifully eye-catching and feel super modern.
Destination wedding invitations
If you’re getting married in a far-flung destination, get on board with luggage labels, plane tickets and map motifs to bring a sense of fun to your wedding invites.
Modern minimalist wedding invitations
No-frills options can still look fun. Get creative with cool calligraphy, fluro fonts and letterpress types. Vellum is also a great material to consider for modern invites – the translucent paper is super durable and has a smooth, waxy finish that feels high-end yet cool.
When to Send Wedding Invitations
Typically wedding invitations are sent around six to eight weeks before the wedding day. This should be enough time for your guests to get planning, particularly if you’ve already sent save the dates ahead of this.
If you’re having a destination wedding, however, aim to send your invitations around three months before so guests are aware of all the details and can make the necessary arrangements.
How Much Do Wedding Invitations Cost?
How much your wedding invitations will cost very much depends on the style of invite you go for, the complexity of the design and the level of personalisation.
Typically, standard printed wedding invitations in the UK can cost anywhere between £1.50 and £7 per piece but expect to pay more for custom illustrations, monograms and luxury foil details, as well as add-ons like coloured envelopes, inserts and wax seals.
Of course, how many invitations you order will also impact the final price – generally the cost per piece decreases the more you purchase.
Remember there is more than just the cost of your wedding invitations to factor into your stationery budget. You’ll also need to consider the price of postage if you’re sending them yourself.
Wedding Invitation Etiquette
Keep it uncluttered: Ultimately, all your guests really need to know is the where and when, so don’t feel the need to fill your invitations with lots of inserts. You can always direct guests to a wedding website for more information.
Give good code: Inform your guests of the dress code if you have one. Black tie preferred? State it so. Don’t be vague (anything ‘with a twist’ is a big no from us) and if you want to delve deeper into attire guidelines, direct invitees to your wedding website so you don’t overcrowd your invitations.
State if plus ones are invited: Unless an invitation clearly states that the invitee is welcome to bring a plus-one, they shouldn’t assume otherwise. Always address the invitation directly to the member (or members) of the household that are invited to avoid any confusion.
Be clear on kids: If your occasion is adults-only, make this clear with a simple line. Something like, “we would like our day to be an adults-only occasion” or “unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate the children of the wedding party”.
Don’t include your entire gift list: Details or a QR code of where to find it – sure, but never include the list on the wedding invite itself. If you’re asking guests for monetary gifts, a simple line or poem works well.
Make it simple to RSVP: If you choose to include RSVP cards, be sure to always include return postage – it’s a thoughtful touch and makes it easier for guests to respond promptly.
Digital Wedding Invitations
While for many couples, nothing beats the tactile joy of a paper invite, there are plenty of streamlined services out there that take the stress out of your stationery with digital wedding invitations – and they’re fast becoming the norm. You can now choose from a wide range of bespoke digital save the dates and wedding invitations that are both stylishly modern and seriously affordable.
In fact, not only are they a more budget-friendly choice since you eliminate the need for printing and postage, they’re also the more eco option and many allow you to accept RSVPs and track extras such as menu choices and song requests via your wedding website. Some of our favourites include:
Paperless Post: Having previously collaborated with the likes of Kate Spade, Oscar de la Renta and Jonathan Adler, it’s no surprise that the digital wedding invitation designs from Paperless Post are some of the prettiest out there. The site also allows you to track delivery, collect RSVPs and message your invitees so you don’t have to.
Bliss & Bone: The modern designs from Bliss & Bone are as close as it gets to IRL paper invitations. Send out your invites and link back to your wedding website, also hosted by Bliss & Bone, so you can collate your RSVPs and other essential info online.
Greenvelope: With real-time RSVP tracking, a wide selection of traditional and modern wedding invitation styles and even the option to include a backing track and virtual envelope liners, this website is really easy for time-poor couples to navigate.
Gettin’ Hitched Rocks: Choose from a great selection of stylish wedding invitations, including the option of IRL paper invites, and collate everything all in one place with one of Gettin’ Hitched Rocks’ wedding websites. The style of your invitations can even match the theme of your website if you’re a coordination queen or king!
Wedding Invitations FAQ
When should you send wedding invitations?
Typically, wedding invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding day. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, giving your guests more notice of your plans – around three to four months – is advisable so they can make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements.
What do you write on a wedding invitation?
A wedding invitation usually includes the following:
- The names of the hosts (traditionally the parents of the bride)
- The couple’s names
- A request to attend the wedding, such as “request the pleasure of your company”
- Date and time of the ceremony
- Location of the ceremony
- Reception details, if different from the ceremony venue
- RSVP information and link to a wedding website if applicable
Here’s a simple example: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter, Emma Smith, to Liam Johnson on Saturday, the fifth of June, at three o’clock in the afternoon at the Rose Garden Chapel. Reception to follow at the Grand Ballroom of Hillside Hotel.”
Do you need to include RSVP cards?
It’s not always necessary to include RSVP cards; many couples choose to direct invitees to their wedding website where they can manage the RSVPs from there. Others may include a phone number or email address to allow guests to RSVP that way.
The most important thing is to make it clear how your guests can RSVP and when they should respond by. It’s customary to ask guests to RSVP around 2-3 weeks before the wedding to allow you ample time to finalise your seating arrangements, catering head counts and other logistics dependent on guest numbers.
How much do wedding invitations cost in the UK?
The pricing of wedding invitations in the UK varies depending on the style and complexity of the design, how personalised your design is and where you are sourcing them from. Simple printed designs on paper start from around £1.50 per invitation and can go all the way up to £6-7 per invitation.
Most UK couples will typically spend around £150 to £400 on their wedding stationery.
What is the difference between a save the date and a wedding invitation?
A save the date is a memo – usually in the form of an announcement card – sent out around nine months before the wedding to allow guests to keep the day free. Wedding invitations contain all the important information guests need for the day and are sent around six to eight weeks before the wedding.
Start Planning Your Wedding with Bridebook
Did you know you can find a whole host of other stylish wedding stationery suites on Bridebook? Discover even more wedding invitation and big day ideas when you sign up to Bridebook today.
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