Wedding Invitation Wording: Real Examples

Wedding invitation wording follows a few well-worn patterns, and picking one mostly comes down to how formal your event is and who's hosting. Below are real examples for the three most common tones: traditional, modern, and casual. Each also covers the specific lines people search for most, including how to word it when parents are hosting, when both families are hosting, and when a couple is hosting themselves.

Traditional wording (formal weddings)

Traditional wording uses full names, spelled-out dates, and formal verbs like "request the honour of your presence." It's still the standard for religious ceremonies and black-tie receptions.

Parents hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ellison
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Catherine Anne
to
Mr. James Alexander Whitfield
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand twenty-six
at half after four o'clock
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago

Couple hosting themselves

Together with their families
Catherine Ellison and James Whitfield
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding
Saturday, the fourteenth of June
two thousand twenty-six

Note the spelling convention: formal invitations spell out numbers ("the fourteenth of June," "two thousand twenty-six") rather than using digits. "Honour" (with the u) is the traditional spelling even in American English wedding stationery. It's a stylistic holdover, not a typo.

Modern wording (semi-formal)

Modern wording keeps the same structure but drops the archaic phrasing. It uses digits instead of spelled-out numbers, and "invite you to celebrate" instead of "request the honour of your presence." This is the most common style for digital invitations.

Modern, couple hosting

Catherine & James
are getting married!
Join us as we say "I do"
June 14, 2026 · 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Reception to follow

Modern, both families hosting

Together with their families,
Catherine Ellison and James Whitfield
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, June 14, 2026
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago

Casual wording (backyard weddings, elopements, second weddings)

Casual

We're tying the knot!
Catherine & James
June 14, 2026 · 4:30 PM
Backyard at the Ellison Farm
Casual attire, come hungry.
Dinner and dancing after

For second weddings, elopements, or small backyard ceremonies, guests generally expect less formality. It's fine, and increasingly standard, to skip the parents' names entirely and lead with the couple.

Common wording questions

• Do I need to include both sets of parents? No, this is a hosting convention, not a requirement. Many modern couples list only themselves, especially if they're paying for the wedding.
• How do I word it for divorced parents? List each parent on their own line without "and" between them if they're not jointly hosting: "Mrs. Anne Ellison" on one line, "Mr. Robert Ellison" on the next.
• Should I include registry info on the invitation itself? Traditional etiquette says no; registry details belong on a separate insert or your wedding website. Digital invitations relax this rule, and a tappable "Gift registry" link is common and expected.
• Do I need to specify adult-only or kids welcome? Yes, explicitly. A line like "Adult reception" or "We love your little ones, but this celebration is adults-only" avoids awkward RSVP conversations later.

Whatever wording you choose, a digital invitation lets you fix a typo or update the venue after you've already sent it, something no printed card allows. Set your wording once, and if a detail changes, every guest sees the update the next time they open the same link.

Frequently asked