How to Word Formal or Semi-Formal Wedding Invitations

Invitations are an essential part of any wedding, and they should be chosen to reflect the mood of your important day. The wording of your wedding invitations offers your guests a clue as to how formal your wedding will be, and provides them with valuable information about the time and location of the ceremony. As wedding ceremonies become less traditional, formal wedding invitations are used less frequently. However, marking your day with elegant formal or semi-formal invitations can add charm to your wedding day and will be appreciated by the recipients of your invitations.

Instructions

1. Begin your formal or semi-formal wedding invitations with the names of the persons hosting your wedding. This information should be located at the top of the invitations, and traditionally includes the names of the bride’s parents. For married parents, you should write “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe,” and for divorced parents the wording would be “Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Smith.” If the wedding is to be hosted by the bride and groom, the line should read “Ms. Jane Smith and Mr. John Doe.”

2. List the request for attendance next on your formal or semi-formal wedding invitations. For ceremonies that will take place in a church or another place of worship, this line on your invitation should read: “Request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter” (or son, if the groom’s parents are hosting). Ceremonies held outside or in a private home should say: “Request the pleasure of your company…”

3. Follow the request for attendance with the names of the bride and groom. For more formal invitations, the bride should be listed first on the wedding invitations, using her first and middle names only. The groom’s name should be listed below the bride, and include his title and full name. For example, “Jane Marie to Mr. John Michael Doe.”

4. Print the date and time of the wedding ceremony next. Traditionally, dates and times are spelled out. For example, “Saturday, the third of July,” “two thousand and eight,” and “at three o’clock in the afternoon.” It is acceptable to write the date and time in the standard form, however, if you prefer the way it looks.

5. Include the location of the wedding ceremony, but list an address only if the location is not well known. An address should always be included if the ceremony will be held at a private residence.

6. Provide information to your guests about your wedding reception. Including this information is optional, and many people prefer to attach a separate card that details the reception time, place and meal information. If the reception immediately follows the ceremony, and is being held at the same location, including a simple line on the wedding invitation, such as “Reception to immediately follow,” is generally sufficient.

7. Add a line to your formal or semi-formal wedding invitations to encourage your guests to R.S.V.P. A separate card is often included, as it requires less effort for guests to reply. If you would like to receive notice before a certain date of which guests are attending, be sure to include that date on your invitations.