How to Word a Wedding Invitation

Nothing is quite as important in a couple’s life as the day they become married. Celebrating the pinnacle of love in front of family and friends is an extremely joyous occasion. Phrasing an invitation is key to couples and their parents. Here’s how to word a wedding invitation.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide on the tone of the invitation. Some couples may prefer a more formal invitation while other locations may prefer a more laid back approach. Deciding this from the onset will help the writer to word the invitation.

2. Include wedding sponsors on the invitation. Leaving out key family members can be disastrous on wedding invitations. Keep in mind that parents who did not provide financial support may still be included in the invitation. A good example might look like the following:John and Jane DoeAlong with Julie Smith Invite you to join themAs their son John Doe IIIs united in marriage to Ms. JoAnn DayDaughter of Jake and Jenny JonesOn Sunday the twentieth of JuneAt three o’clock in the afternoonLocationCity and StateThis would be appropriate in situations with stepmothers or fathers. It also works in situations of divorce with both parents are paying for the wedding.

3. Keep it simple. Very few people sit down and read wedding invitations from cover to cover. Make the invitation skim friendly and include major blocks of information in an easy to read format. If additional information is available on a website, make sure the site is clearly readable on the invitation, but all information needed to attend the wedding should be in the actual invitation.

4. Communicate wedding details to entire wedding party. In the past, registry information has appeared on the actual invitation. Officially, this information doesn’t have to be included on the invitation. The members of the wedding party should have this information and be able to communicate it to anyone requesting it.

5. Make sure the spouse has input on the wording of the invitation. Don’t let the invitation be a surprise to him or her. This could lead to bad feelings all around.

6. Be creative about how to describe the wedding. Sometimes, slightly poetic language sets an invitation off nicely. Instead of referring specifically to the wedding, try: "Witness the union" or "As we become one."

7. Avoid abbreviations. Make sure that all words are spelled out including middle names and actual dates.

Resources

• Offbeat Bride website