Your invitation is the first real look guests get at your wedding. The wording tells them who is hosting, how formal the day will be and exactly where to be and when. Below you'll find what to include, a few etiquette rules worth knowing and 30 examples, from black tie to backyard. Swap in your own names and details, and tap any example to copy it.
What goes on a wedding invitation
Most invitations follow the same order:
- The host line. Who is hosting: your parents, both families or the two of you.
- The request line. "Request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company."
- Your names. Traditionally the bride's name comes first. Full names feel more formal.
- The date and time. Spelled out on formal invitations.
- The venue, city and state. Street addresses usually go on a details card or your wedding website.
- The reception line. "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
A few etiquette rules worth knowing
- "Honour" or "pleasure"? Traditionally, "the honour of your presence" is used for a ceremony in a house of worship, and "the pleasure of your company" for any other venue. Formal invitations often keep the British spelling, "honour."
- Spell it out on formal invitations: "Saturday, the ninth of October" and "four o'clock in the afternoon." Casual invitations can use numerals.
- Leave registry information off the invitation. Put it on your wedding website instead.
- Send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, or about three months ahead for a destination wedding. Set the RSVP deadline about three to four weeks before the date.
Examples 1–8
Formal wedding invitation wording
- 1 Together with their families, Claire Elizabeth Morgan and Henry James Whitaker request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage. Saturday, the ninth of October, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Greenhouse at Rosewood Farm, Asheville, North Carolina. Reception to follow.
- 2 The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Olivia Grace Bennett and Daniel Thomas Brooks. Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at half past five o'clock. First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
- 3 Grace Ann Miller and Ryan Joseph Thompson invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows. Saturday, the sixteenth of October, two thousand twenty-seven, at six o'clock in the evening. The Montgomery Club, Savannah, Georgia. Dinner and dancing to follow.
- 4 Please join us for the marriage of Abigail Rose Hayes and Matthew Charles Collins. Saturday, the twenty-ninth of May, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock in the evening. Belle Garden Estate, Nashville, Tennessee. Black tie.
- 5 With great joy, Sophia Marie Lopez and Noah Andrew Price invite you to their wedding. Saturday, the twenty-fourth of April, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Seaside Pavilion, Santa Barbara, California. Reception immediately following.
- 6 Together with their parents, Madison Claire Evans and Tyler Scott Reed request the pleasure of your company as they begin their life together. Saturday, the eighteenth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock. Lakeview Pavilion, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
- 7 Your presence is requested at the wedding of Lauren Elise Turner and Christopher Michael Gray. Saturday, the twenty-fifth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at half past four in the afternoon. The Lakeshore Loft, Chicago, Illinois.
- 8 The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of Ava Louise Parker and Jack William Sullivan. Saturday, the nineteenth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at six o'clock in the evening. Harbor House, Newport, Rhode Island. Cocktails and reception to follow.
Examples 9–14
When parents are hosting
- 9 Mr. and Mrs. David Walker request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Hannah Elizabeth, to Mr. Ethan James Cole. Saturday, the eleventh of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Willow Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, California.
- 10 Mr. and Mrs. David Walker and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cole request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children, Hannah Elizabeth Walker and Ethan James Cole. Saturday, September 11, 2027, at four o'clock. Willow Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, California.
- 11 Together with their parents, Jennifer and Mark Davis and Susan and Paul Wright, Emma Davis and Lucas Wright invite you to celebrate their wedding. Saturday, June 26, 2027, at five o'clock in the evening. The Barn at Maple Hill, Burlington, Vermont.
- 12 Dr. and Mrs. James Bennett request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Olivia Grace, to Mr. Daniel Thomas Brooks. Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at half past five o'clock. First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
- 13 Ms. Karen Mitchell invites you to celebrate the marriage of her son, Andrew Mitchell, to Rachel Kim. Saturday, October 2, 2027, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Cedar Ridge Lodge, Bend, Oregon.
- 14 Mrs. Linda Foster and Mr. Richard Foster request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Natalie Anne, to Mr. Eric John Lawson. Saturday, the fourteenth of August, two thousand twenty-seven, at six o'clock in the evening. Harbor Point Inn, Petoskey, Michigan.