Wedding invitation wording: 10 examples for every kind of couple

Getting the wording right is the thing that trips people up most. You know roughly what you want to say — but the moment you sit down to write it, the words feel either too stuffy or not quite right.

The good news: there's no single correct formula. The best invitation wording is the one that sounds like you. These ten examples cover the full range — pick the one closest to your style and adapt it.

The classic, formal version

Mr and Mrs James Holbrook and Mr and Mrs David Sinclair

together request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their children

Charlotte Emily Holbrook

and

William James Sinclair

Saturday, the twentieth of September, two thousand and twenty-six

at two o'clock in the afternoon

St Mary's Church, Cheshire

Reception to follow at Thornton Hall

This is the traditional approach — parents named at the top, everything written out in full. Still used widely for church weddings and formal receptions.

Modern but elegant

Sophie & Daniel

are getting married

20 September 2026 at 2pm

The Old Manor, Oxford

We'd love for you to join us

Clean, warm, and completely on-trend. Works beautifully for couples hosting their own wedding or where parents prefer not to be listed prominently.

Laid-back and personal

After a very long time, a lot of pub quizzes, and one memorable trip to Portugal, we're getting married.

Maya & Tom

14 June 2026 · The Boat House, Bristol

Ceremony at 3pm · Dinner & dancing from 7pm

We can't wait to celebrate with you

This style works when the couple's relationship is the story. A single sentence of context before the details makes guests smile before they've even RSVP'd.

Hosting together, no parents listed

Together with their families

Emma Clarke and James O'Brien

invite you to celebrate their wedding

Friday 5th July 2026

Sopley Mill, Hampshire

Ceremony 2pm | Drinks from 6pm

"Together with their families" is the shorthand solution — it acknowledges parents without naming them, and works when both sets of parents are involved or when things are complicated.

For a destination wedding

We're going to Italy, and we'd really love you to come.

Lucy & Marco

are getting married in Positano

Saturday 10 August 2026

Full details and accommodation information at our wedding website

Destination invitations benefit from pointing guests directly to a website — there's simply too much practical information for a card.

Second marriage, warm and simple

Anna and David

would love your company at their wedding

Saturday 27th September 2026

The Ivy, Leeds

Ceremony at 1pm · Dinner from 6pm

No fanfare needed. Just warmth, and an invitation that feels like it comes from two people who know exactly what they want.

With children invited

Katie & Ben

are getting married and the children are very welcome.

12 July 2026 · Elmwood House, Surrey

Ceremony 2pm · Kids' dinner from 5pm · Evening for all from 7pm

Noting it explicitly removes any ambiguity — parents will be grateful, and it sets the right tone for the day.

Black tie

Mr and Mrs Robert Ashford

request the pleasure of your company

at the wedding of their daughter

Isabelle Rose Ashford

to Mr Oliver Whitfield

Saturday the sixth of December 2026

at half past six in the evening

The Dorchester, London

Black tie · RSVP by 15th October

If the dress code matters, state it clearly on the invitation — not on a separate insert where it gets missed.

An intimate gathering

We're getting married — just the people we love most.

Jess & Nathan

3rd October 2026

Treehouse, Oswestry

Ceremony 11am · Long lunch from 1pm

For small, intimate weddings, lean into it. Guests invited to a small wedding feel more special when the invitation acknowledges that.

When humour is part of your relationship

You've watched us argue about coffee orders, bicker about maps, and once — incredibly — agree on a sofa.

We've decided to do this forever.

Rachel & Chris are getting married.

8th August 2026 · The Malt House, Bath

Please come and celebrate with us.

Get the balance right and this lands perfectly. Get it wrong and it can feel like it's trying too hard — if in doubt, go warm rather than funny.

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What to always include

Whatever wording style you choose, these elements should be present and clear:

• —Full names of the people getting married (and whose parents are hosting, if relevant)
• —Date — day of the week, day, month, year
• —Time of the ceremony
• —Venue name and location — enough for guests to find it without looking anything up
• —RSVP instructions — by when, and how

Everything else — evening timing, dress code, website URL — can be on a separate insert or on your wedding website.

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