Wedding Invitation Wording Samples: 25 Examples for Every Style

Staring at a blank invitation wondering what words go where? You’re not alone — wording is the part couples agonize over most. The good news: there are established formulas for every situation. Pick your scenario, adapt the sample, and you’re done.

The Anatomy of an Invitation

Every invitation needs: hosts (who’s inviting), request line (“request the honour of your presence”), couple’s names, date and time, venue (name + city/state), and reception info. Optional: dress code, wedding website, “adults only” notes (on a separate details card, never the invitation itself).

Formal and Traditional

Mr. and Mrs. James Carter
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Elizabeth
to
Mr. David Park
Saturday, the twentieth of June
two thousand twenty-six
at half past four o’clock
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
New York, New York

Note: “honour” with a u is traditional for church weddings; “honor” for secular venues. Yes, really.

Casual and Modern

Together with their families,
Sarah Carter and David Park
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, New York
Dinner, drinks & dancing to follow

“Together with their families” is the modern workhorse — warm, inclusive, no one’s parents awkwardly excluded.

Divorced Parents

Mr. James Carter and Ms. Lisa Thompson
and
Mr. Robert Park and Mrs. Susan Park
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Sarah Carter
to
David Park…

List the bride’s parents first, then the groom’s. Each parent on their own line. If a parent has remarried, include the stepparent — it avoids hurt feelings.

Deceased Parent

Mrs. Lisa Thompson
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Sarah Elizabeth Carter
daughter of the late Mr. James Carter
to…

Alternatively, keep the invitation simple and honor them in the program instead. There’s no wrong choice here — do what feels right for your family.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. James Carter
together with
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Park
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage of their children
Sarah and David…

Couple Hosting Themselves

Sarah Carter
and
David Park
request the pleasure of your company
as they say “I do”…

For wording the envelopes to match, see how to address wedding invitations. For the complete guide, wedding invitation wording covers every scenario.

Second Weddings

Keep it warm and straightforward — no need to reference the past. Sarah Carter and David Park
joyfully invite you to celebrate their marriage… If children are involved, including their names is a lovely touch.

Wording Mistakes to Avoid

Abbreviations (spell out Street, Avenue, o’clock). “No gifts” on the invitation — put it on the website instead. Registry info on the invitation — website only, never the invite. Cash bar surprises — if it’s not hosted, say “cash bar to follow” on the details card so nobody’s blindsided.

Divorced Parents Wording

When parents are divorced, list them separately — each on their own line, no “and” connecting them: “Mr. James Carter / Ms. Sarah Mitchell / request the honour of your presence / at the marriage of their daughter / Emily Rose…” If one parent has remarried, include the stepparent: “Mr. James Carter and Mrs. Lisa Carter / Ms. Sarah Mitchell / request…”

Order: traditionally the mother’s name first, but either is fine — choose what causes less family friction. The goal is an invitation, not a diplomatic incident. When in doubt, ask both parents how they’d like to be listed. This one conversation prevents weeks of tension.

Deceased Parent Wording

Honoring a parent who’s passed: “Mrs. Sarah Mitchell / requests the honour of your presence / at the marriage of her daughter / Emily Rose / daughter of the late Mr. James Carter…” Or, if the surviving parent is hosting with the couple: “Together with their families…” keeps it simple and inclusive.

Some families prefer not to mention the deceased parent on the invitation and instead honor them in the ceremony (a reserved seat, a mention in the program, a memorial table). Both approaches are correct — follow the family’s emotional lead, not etiquette’s.

Couple Hosting Themselves

Modern and increasingly common: “Emily Rose Carter / and / David James Park / request the pleasure of your company / at their marriage…” Or warmer: “Together with their families, / Emily and David / invite you to celebrate their wedding…”

Self-hosting wording is also the graceful solution for complicated family situations — “together with their families” includes everyone without ranking anyone. When family dynamics are delicate, this phrasing is a gift to yourself.

Same-Sex Couple Wording

Same formulas, same elegance: “Mr. and Mrs. James Carter / request the honour of your presence / at the marriage of their son / Michael James / to / Mr. David Park / son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Park…” For self-hosting: “Together with their families, / Michael Carter and David Park / request the pleasure of your company…”

Alphabetical order for the couple’s names, or the order they prefer — ask them. The traditions adapt seamlessly; love is love, and good wording is good wording.

Casual Wedding Wording Samples

Not every wedding is formal — here’s how to word relaxed invitations without losing warmth:

“Together with their families,
Emily Carter and David Park
invite you to eat, drink, and dance
at their wedding celebration
Saturday, June 20th at 5pm
Sunset Barn, Austin, Texas
Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow
Come as you are (but maybe skip the jeans)”

“We’re getting married!
Emily & David
June 20, 2026 — 5 o’clock
Join us for a backyard party
with vows, BBQ, and bad dance moves
123 Oak Street, Austin”

Casual wording rules: first names are fine, specific details beat formal vagueness (“BBQ and bad dance moves” tells guests more than “reception to follow”), and dress code should be explicit but fun (“come as you are” or “dressy casual — the grass is real, choose shoes accordingly”).

The line you shouldn’t cross: casual doesn’t mean careless. Include all the key info (who, what, when, where), proofread carefully, and send on time. A casual invitation that’s missing the address is just confusing. Add invitation ordering to your wedding planning checklist — 8 weeks before the wedding for local, 10–12 for destination.

Wording for Vow Renewals

Renewing your vows? The wording shifts:

“Together with their children,
Emily and David Carter
invite you to celebrate
25 years of marriage
at a vow renewal ceremony
Saturday, June 20th at 4pm
Sunset Gardens, Austin, Texas
Dinner and dancing to follow”

“We did it once — let’s do it again.
Join Emily & David as they renew their vows
after 10 wonderful years.
June 20, 2026″

Vow renewal wording notes: include the anniversary year (“25 years”) — it’s the point of the event. Mention children if they’re part of the celebration. The tone can be more relaxed than a first wedding — you’ve earned it. And “renewal of vows” or “vow renewal ceremony” should appear so guests understand the event (it’s not a second wedding — it’s a celebration of the first).

Who hosts? Usually the couple themselves (it’s their anniversary). The wording reflects that: “Emily and David invite you…” rather than parents hosting. Simple, warm, celebratory.

Invitation Timeline: When to Send What

Timing is etiquette:

Save-the-dates: 6–8 months out (10–12 for destination). Not everyone needs one — send to must-have guests and out-of-towners. They’re informal (a card, an email, a magnet) but essential for planning.

Invitations: 6–8 weeks out (10–12 for destination). This is the formal invitation — the suite, the wording, the RSVP card. RSVP deadline: 3–4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you time for follow-ups and final counts.

What goes wrong: sending invitations too early (guests forget — the sweet spot is 6–8 weeks, not 6 months). Sending too late (guests can’t plan — especially out-of-towners). Forgetting postage (have one weighed — square envelopes cost extra). Not ordering extras (15–20% more — mistakes happen).

The follow-up: 1 week after the RSVP deadline, contact non-responders (text/call — kind, not guilt-trippy). You’ll get 80% response without follow-up; the last 20% need a nudge. Day-of: have a seating chart AND place cards (not just one). The chart shows the table; the card shows the seat. Both prevent the awkward hovering.