The Complete Guide to Wedding Invitation Wording: Etiquette Tips for Every Style
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If there's one part of the invitation process that causes even the most organized couples to pause, it's the wording.
You know your venue. You know your colors. You may even know exactly what paper you want. But suddenly you're asking questions you never expected:
Do we include our parents' names?
What if both families are contributing?
What if we're paying for the wedding ourselves?
Do second weddings follow different rules?
How formal do we need to be?
The good news? There isn't just one "right" way to word your invitations anymore. Today's etiquette is less about rigid rules and more about honoring the people involved while reflecting your personalities and the tone of your celebration.
As someone who has helped hundreds of couples navigate these decisions, I can promise you're not the first person to wonder whether "request the honor of your presence" is too formal or if it's okay to say "together with their families."
This guide walks through the most common wording scenarios so you can choose what feels right for you.
First, How Formal Is Your Wedding?
Before diving into wording examples, think about the overall feel of your celebration.
A black-tie affair at a historic ballroom may call for more traditional language. A garden wedding with dinner under the stars might feel better with wording that's polished but relaxed.
Your invitation wording sets the tone before guests ever arrive.
Traditional Wording: Hosted by the Bride's Parents
Historically, the bride's parents hosted the wedding and were therefore named as the hosts on the invitation.
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. William James Carter
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Anne
to
Michael Thomas Reynolds
Saturday, the twelfth of June
two thousand twenty-seven
at half after five o'clock in the evening
The Willow Estate
Charleston, South Carolina
Reception to follow
Etiquette Tip: Traditionally, "request the honor of your presence" is reserved for ceremonies held in a house of worship, while "request the pleasure of your company" is used for secular venues. Today, many couples choose whichever feels most natural.
Together With Their Families
This has become one of the most common wording styles because it acknowledges everyone involved without emphasizing who is contributing financially.
Example:
Together with their families
Elizabeth Anne Carter
and
Michael Thomas Reynolds
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, the twelfth of June
two thousand twenty-seven
at half after five o'clock in the evening
The Willow Estate
Charleston, South Carolina
Dinner and dancing to follow
This option feels warm, inclusive, and timeless.
Hosted by the Couple
Many couples today are planning and paying for their weddings themselves.
Example:
Together with joyful hearts,
Elizabeth Anne Carter
and
Michael Thomas Reynolds
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, June 12, 2027
5:30 in the evening
The Willow Estate
Charleston, South Carolina
Dinner, dancing, and celebration to follow
You can also simplify even further:
Elizabeth Anne Carter
and
Michael Thomas Reynolds
request the pleasure of your company
as they exchange vows and celebrate their marriage.
Divorced Parents Hosting
Divorced parents are often one of the biggest etiquette concerns for couples, but there are thoughtful ways to honor everyone.
If both parents are hosting and remarried, the invitation can include each parent on separate lines.
Example:
Ms. Katherine Carter
and Mr. Robert Carter
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Anne Carter
to
Michael Thomas Reynolds
A stationer can help format these situations so they feel elegant and balanced.
Second Weddings
Second marriages don't require entirely different invitations, but couples often prefer wording that focuses more directly on them.
Example:
Elizabeth Anne Carter
and
Michael Thomas Reynolds
invite you to share in their joy
as they exchange marriage vows
Saturday, June 12, 2027
The Willow Estate
Charleston, South Carolina
Celebrate with us afterward.
There's no need to reference previous marriages. The focus remains on the celebration ahead.
Same-Sex Wedding Invitations
The same etiquette principles apply.
You can choose traditional wording, family-hosted wording, or wording centered on the couple themselves.
Example:
Together with their families,
Taylor Morgan
and
Jordan Ellis
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, June 12, 2027
The Willow Estate
Charleston, South Carolina
Reception to follow
The beauty of modern etiquette is creating language that feels authentic to your relationship.
A Few Common Wording Questions
Should I spell everything out?
Traditional invitations spell out dates and times.
For example:
Saturday, the twelfth of June
two thousand twenty-seven
at half after five o'clock in the evening
More contemporary invitations often use numerals:
Saturday, June 12, 2027
5:30 p.m.
Either is acceptable. The style of your invitation should guide the choice.
Do I include dress code?
If attire is important to communicate, it can be included on a details card or wedding website.
Examples include:
- Black Tie
- Black Tie Optional
- Cocktail Attire
- Garden Party Attire
- Festive Attire
Where do I put RSVP information?
It is best to include RSVP instructions on a separate response card or direct guests to their wedding website using a details card.
Keeping the invitation itself focused on the celebration creates a cleaner, more elegant presentation.
Remember: Etiquette Is About Hospitality
At its heart, wedding etiquette isn't about memorizing rules or worrying about getting every phrase exactly right.
It's about making your guests feel welcomed, informed, and excited to celebrate with you.
Your invitations should reflect your story, honor the people who matter most, and set the tone for the day you're creating together.
And if you're staring at a blank page wondering which wording option fits your situation best, know that you don't have to figure it out alone.
That's one of my favorite parts of this process.
I help couples navigate the details they didn't know they needed to think about, so when it's time to send those invitations, they can do it with confidence knowing every word says exactly what they want it to say.