Wording Your Wedding Invitation: Structure, Examples and Etiquette

Your wedding invitation sets the tone for the entire wedding: formal or playful, classic or modern. But beyond the right tone, no information should be missing. Here's how to approach it.

What should be on the invitation?

• Your names (and who is inviting)
• The date, times and location(s)
• Which part of the day the guest is invited to: full day, ceremony or party only
• The dress code, if you have one
• RSVP: how and by when guests should respond
• Practical information: parking, accommodation, gift suggestion
• Contact details of the master of ceremonies

Tip: put the practical details on a separate insert card or wedding website and keep the card itself clean.

Example texts

Classic

With great joy we invite you to our wedding on Saturday 12 September. We say "I do" at 2 pm at the Open Air Theatre in Bloemendaal and will celebrate into the small hours.

Personal and light

After 3,652 days, two cats and one renovation, we're making it official! Will you join us to eat, drink, dance and witness our "I do"?

Short and sweet

We're getting married — and we'd love to celebrate with you. Mark Saturday 12 September in your calendar in bold letters.

Today's etiquette rules

1. Send in time. Save-the-dates 6 to 9 months ahead, the invitation 3 to 4 months ahead.
2. Be crystal clear about who is invited. Address the card to everyone who is welcome — including (or excluding) children and plus-ones. Ambiguity here is the number one source of awkward conversations.
3. Phrase the gift suggestion subtly. "Your presence is the greatest gift. If you'd like to give something, a contribution to our honeymoon would make us happy."
4. Set an RSVP deadline no later than four weeks before the wedding, and make responding easy: a wedding website, email or text works better than a reply card.
5. Digital is fine. A beautiful digital invitation is fully accepted nowadays — or combine: print for the older generation, digital for the rest.