How to Word and Format Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are your guests first glimpse of your wedding day so the wording and design are important features. Here are wedding invitation wording tips and wedding invitation examples to help you get started.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Wedding Invite Protocol
   
   1. The first item to put on the wedding invite is the actual invitation asking the recipient to be your guest at the upcoming wedding and/or wedding reception.
   2. To provide recognition and be respectful use the names of the individuals who are paying for the wedding. The top of the invitation should state that these individuals are inviting you to the wedding of the bride and groom.
   3. Clearly state the details of the wedding and/or reception so the invitation serves its purpose. These details include the date, the exact time, and the place where the wedding ceremony will take place. If the guest is invited to the wedding reception also be clear about when, where, and if children are invited.
   4. If the wedding is private, or was held out of town, the newlyweds may send out invitations just for a reception. On the wedding reception invitation the couple would state when and where the wedding was held and that they would like the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception. Again, provide specific details and address the envelope of the invitation with all the names to be included in the reception invitation.
   5. An informal wedding, for example when the wedding is held in a home, replace formal wording to a casual tone.

2. Casual Wedding Invitation Example
   
   There is a set of formalities wedding invitations follow yet the words should match the style of wedding being planned. An example for a casual wedding invitation looks like this.
   
   Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
   and
   Ms. Sue Jones
   request the honor of your presence
   at the wedding of their daughter
   Annette Doe
   and her son
   John Jones
   On Saturday, October 6, 2009
   at 2:00 p.m.
   First Lutheran Church
   1000 Main Street
   Minneapolis, Minnesota
   
   Reception immediately follows wedding at
   • Reception Hall Name
   • Address
   • Phone Number

3. Formal Wedding Invitation Format
   
   The formal and traditional wedding invitation will follow the same format. There are formalities used in the wording to create this style.
   
   1. Spell out each word including the date, year, Street not St., etc.
   2. When an individual has a formal name use Roman numerals. (For 2nd use II, not second.)
   3. Write out everyone's full name including the middle name.
   4. For church weddings state 'request the honour of your presence' and for a non-religious wedding state 'request the pleasure of your company'.

Tips & Warnings

• On a separate card, or the back of the wedding invitation, add a map, directions, hotel room reservation details or any other information guests will need to attend the wedding and wedding reception.

Resources

• How to Word Wedding Thank You Notes

[AllFYB]

on 8/3/2009 Great Wedding Invitation Wording Instructions... Thanks