Wording
Wedding Invitation Wording: 30 Examples for Every Style and Tradition
May 6, 2026 · 11 min read · By Pretty Papery
After designing 440+ wedding invitation templates and reading thousands of wording requests, we've collected the wordings that actually work. Most online articles give you three sample texts. This is the opposite — 30 examples spanning every tradition we've encountered, plus the seven required elements every invitation needs (whatever style you choose).
The 7 elements every invitation needs
Before we get to examples, the framework. Every invitation, no matter how traditional or how modern, needs these seven elements:
1. Hosting line. Who is inviting the guests. Traditionally the bride's parents, but increasingly the couple themselves or both sets of parents.
2. Request line. The actual invitation — "request the honour of your presence," "invite you to celebrate," "would love for you to join us."
3. The couple's names. Full names traditionally. First names if casual. Order: bride first in heterosexual couples (traditional), or alphabetical, or whatever feels right.
4. Date and time. Spelled out ("Saturday, the fifteenth of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six") for formal; numerical ("Saturday, August 15, 2026") for modern.
5. Venue. Full name and city, or full address.
6. Reception line. If reception is at a different venue or the dress code matters. "Reception to follow," "Dinner and dancing at [venue]."
7. RSVP details. Traditionally on a separate response card. Increasingly on the wedding website or via QR code.
1. Hosting line. Who is inviting the guests. Traditionally the bride's parents, but increasingly the couple themselves or both sets of parents.
2. Request line. The actual invitation — "request the honour of your presence," "invite you to celebrate," "would love for you to join us."
3. The couple's names. Full names traditionally. First names if casual. Order: bride first in heterosexual couples (traditional), or alphabetical, or whatever feels right.
4. Date and time. Spelled out ("Saturday, the fifteenth of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six") for formal; numerical ("Saturday, August 15, 2026") for modern.
5. Venue. Full name and city, or full address.
6. Reception line. If reception is at a different venue or the dress code matters. "Reception to follow," "Dinner and dancing at [venue]."
7. RSVP details. Traditionally on a separate response card. Increasingly on the wedding website or via QR code.
Traditional / formal — 4 examples
1. Bride's parents host (most traditional):
Mr. and Mrs. James Henry Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Eleanor Margaret
to
Mr. Thomas William Bennett
on Saturday, the fifteenth of August
Two Thousand Twenty-Six
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Margaret's Church, Hamburg
Reception to follow
2. Both sets of parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Eleanor and Thomas
[date, time, venue]
3. Couple hosts (modern formal):
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Thomas William Bennett
together with their families
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
4. Combined hosts (couple + families):
Together with their parents
Eleanor Carter and Thomas Bennett
invite you to share in the joy
of their marriage
[date, time, venue]
Mr. and Mrs. James Henry Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Eleanor Margaret
to
Mr. Thomas William Bennett
on Saturday, the fifteenth of August
Two Thousand Twenty-Six
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Margaret's Church, Hamburg
Reception to follow
2. Both sets of parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Eleanor and Thomas
[date, time, venue]
3. Couple hosts (modern formal):
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Thomas William Bennett
together with their families
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
4. Combined hosts (couple + families):
Together with their parents
Eleanor Carter and Thomas Bennett
invite you to share in the joy
of their marriage
[date, time, venue]
Modern / casual — 6 examples
5. We're getting married:
We're getting married!
Eleanor & Thomas
August 15, 2026 · Hamburg
Join us
6. Save room on your dance card:
Save room on your dance card
Ellie + Tom are tying the knot
15 August 2026, Hamburg
RSVP at ellieandtom.com
7. Two becoming one:
Two hearts, one love
Please join us as we say "I do"
Eleanor Carter & Thomas Bennett
August 15, 2026
8. Throwing a party:
We're getting married, and we want you there.
Eleanor & Thomas
August 15, 2026
Villa Florenz, Hamburg
Ceremony 4 PM · Dinner + dancing to follow
9. Calligraphic minimal:
Eleanor & Thomas
are getting married
15.08.2026
Hamburg
10. Question form:
Will you be there?
Eleanor and Thomas are getting married on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Reception at Villa Florenz, Hamburg.
RSVP by July 18 — ellieandtom.com
We're getting married!
Eleanor & Thomas
August 15, 2026 · Hamburg
Join us
6. Save room on your dance card:
Save room on your dance card
Ellie + Tom are tying the knot
15 August 2026, Hamburg
RSVP at ellieandtom.com
7. Two becoming one:
Two hearts, one love
Please join us as we say "I do"
Eleanor Carter & Thomas Bennett
August 15, 2026
8. Throwing a party:
We're getting married, and we want you there.
Eleanor & Thomas
August 15, 2026
Villa Florenz, Hamburg
Ceremony 4 PM · Dinner + dancing to follow
9. Calligraphic minimal:
Eleanor & Thomas
are getting married
15.08.2026
Hamburg
10. Question form:
Will you be there?
Eleanor and Thomas are getting married on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Reception at Villa Florenz, Hamburg.
RSVP by July 18 — ellieandtom.com
Religious traditions — 5 examples
11. Christian / Catholic formal:
Together with our families
and with the blessing of God
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Thomas William Bennett
request the honour of your presence
at the celebration of their marriage
[date, time]
St. Mary's Cathedral, Hamburg
12. Protestant traditional:
Mr. and Mrs. Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Eleanor Margaret
to Mr. Thomas William Bennett
The Reverend Dr. Hans Müller officiating
[date, time, church]
13. Jewish traditional:
Together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
Eleanor Margaret and Thomas William
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
under the chuppah
[date in Jewish + Gregorian calendar, time, venue]
14. Muslim:
In the name of Allah
the most gracious, the most merciful
Together with our families
we joyfully invite you to celebrate
the Nikkah of
Eleanor and Thomas
[date, time, venue]
15. Hindu:
Shubh Vivah
Mr. and Mrs. Carter cordially invite you
to the auspicious wedding of their daughter
Eleanor
with Thomas
[date in Hindu + Gregorian, time, venue]
Together with our families
and with the blessing of God
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Thomas William Bennett
request the honour of your presence
at the celebration of their marriage
[date, time]
St. Mary's Cathedral, Hamburg
12. Protestant traditional:
Mr. and Mrs. Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Eleanor Margaret
to Mr. Thomas William Bennett
The Reverend Dr. Hans Müller officiating
[date, time, church]
13. Jewish traditional:
Together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
Eleanor Margaret and Thomas William
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
under the chuppah
[date in Jewish + Gregorian calendar, time, venue]
14. Muslim:
In the name of Allah
the most gracious, the most merciful
Together with our families
we joyfully invite you to celebrate
the Nikkah of
Eleanor and Thomas
[date, time, venue]
15. Hindu:
Shubh Vivah
Mr. and Mrs. Carter cordially invite you
to the auspicious wedding of their daughter
Eleanor
with Thomas
[date in Hindu + Gregorian, time, venue]
Special situations — 8 examples
16. Same-sex couple (modern):
Eleanor and Sophia
are finally making it official
August 15, 2026 · Hamburg
17. Same-sex couple (formal):
Together with their families
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Sophia Mariana Vargas
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
18. Second marriage (couple hosts):
Eleanor Carter and Thomas Bennett
together with their families and beloved children
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
19. Destination wedding:
Pack your bags
Eleanor and Thomas are getting married in Tuscany
September 12, 2026 · Villa San Lorenzo
RSVP + travel info: ellieandtom.com
20. Elopement announcement (after the fact):
We did it! Quietly, in front of an oak tree.
Eleanor and Thomas
Married August 15, 2026
Please join us for a celebration on October 18 — invitation to follow
21. Reception only / wedding party afterwards:
The marriage of Eleanor and Thomas has already taken place.
Please join us for an evening of dinner and dancing
to celebrate.
[date, time, venue]
22. With deceased parent:
Mr. James Carter
and the late Mrs. Margaret Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter Eleanor
[continues normally]
23. Divorced parents (separate hosting):
Mr. James Carter and Ms. Margaret Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter Eleanor
[continues normally]
Eleanor and Sophia
are finally making it official
August 15, 2026 · Hamburg
17. Same-sex couple (formal):
Together with their families
Eleanor Margaret Carter and Sophia Mariana Vargas
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
18. Second marriage (couple hosts):
Eleanor Carter and Thomas Bennett
together with their families and beloved children
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
[date, time, venue]
19. Destination wedding:
Pack your bags
Eleanor and Thomas are getting married in Tuscany
September 12, 2026 · Villa San Lorenzo
RSVP + travel info: ellieandtom.com
20. Elopement announcement (after the fact):
We did it! Quietly, in front of an oak tree.
Eleanor and Thomas
Married August 15, 2026
Please join us for a celebration on October 18 — invitation to follow
21. Reception only / wedding party afterwards:
The marriage of Eleanor and Thomas has already taken place.
Please join us for an evening of dinner and dancing
to celebrate.
[date, time, venue]
22. With deceased parent:
Mr. James Carter
and the late Mrs. Margaret Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter Eleanor
[continues normally]
23. Divorced parents (separate hosting):
Mr. James Carter and Ms. Margaret Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter Eleanor
[continues normally]
International + bilingual — 4 examples
24. German formal:
Wir laden Sie herzlich ein,
mit uns das Glück unserer Hochzeit zu teilen.
Eleanor Margaret Carter & Thomas William Bennett
15. August 2026 · Hamburg
25. German modern:
Wir heiraten!
Eleanor & Thomas
15. August 2026 · Hamburg
Wir freuen uns auf euch.
26. Bilingual (German + English):
Wir heiraten / We're getting married
Eleanor & Thomas
15. August 2026 / August 15, 2026
Hamburg
27. Italian:
Insieme alle nostre famiglie
Eleanor e Thomas
vi invitano alle loro nozze
[data, ora, luogo]
Wir laden Sie herzlich ein,
mit uns das Glück unserer Hochzeit zu teilen.
Eleanor Margaret Carter & Thomas William Bennett
15. August 2026 · Hamburg
25. German modern:
Wir heiraten!
Eleanor & Thomas
15. August 2026 · Hamburg
Wir freuen uns auf euch.
26. Bilingual (German + English):
Wir heiraten / We're getting married
Eleanor & Thomas
15. August 2026 / August 15, 2026
Hamburg
27. Italian:
Insieme alle nostre famiglie
Eleanor e Thomas
vi invitano alle loro nozze
[data, ora, luogo]
Reception, dress code, RSVP wording
28. Black-tie reception:
Black-tie reception to follow at Villa Florenz
29. RSVP card (formal):
The favour of your reply is requested
by the eighteenth of July
____ Will joyfully attend
____ Will sadly decline
30. RSVP via website:
Kindly respond at ellieandtom.com by July 18.
Need a starting point? Our most-loved Arch Wedding Invitation Suite can be edited to fit any of these wordings in Canva — change the names, dates, and copy in five minutes.
Black-tie reception to follow at Villa Florenz
29. RSVP card (formal):
The favour of your reply is requested
by the eighteenth of July
____ Will joyfully attend
____ Will sadly decline
30. RSVP via website:
Kindly respond at ellieandtom.com by July 18.
Need a starting point? Our most-loved Arch Wedding Invitation Suite can be edited to fit any of these wordings in Canva — change the names, dates, and copy in five minutes.