Wedding Invitation Wording: What to Say & What to Include
Wedding invitation wording is one of those details that feels small until you sit down to write it. You want it to sound like you, feel warm and welcoming, and still make everything crystal clear for guests.
This guide walks you through what to include, how to choose a tone, and provides ready to use UK wording examples (from classic to modern), plus wording for tricky situations like no children, no plus ones, and gift notes.
The 5 essentials every invitation must include
No matter your style, your main invitation should answer these questions.
· Who is getting married
· What you are inviting guests to (ceremony only, ceremony and reception, evening reception)
· When (date and start time)
· Where (venue name and full address)
· How to RSVP (method and deadline)
If you are short on space, keep the invitation minimal and put extra details (travel, accommodation, dress code, gift info) on an information card or your wedding website.
Choose your tone first For Your Wedding Invitation Wording
Before you write anything, decide the vibe.
· Classic and formal: traditional phrasing, third-person tone
· Modern and simple: short sentences, direct language
· Warm and friendly: conversational, still structured
· Playful: light humour, but keep key details clear
A quick tip: your stationery design should match your tone. A minimalist suite usually suits modern wording. A botanical or vintage suite often suits slightly more traditional wording.
Date and time formatting (so guests do not misread it)
The clearest format is a written date, plus a time that is easy to skim.
· Saturday 19 September 2027
· at 1.30pm (or at half past one for a more formal feel)
Wedding invitation wording examples
Modern and simple
Together with their families
Samantha and Alex
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday 19 September 2026
at 1.30pm
The Old Barn, Somerset
Reception to follow
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Details at: (your wedding website) or include an extra information card with the finer details. We have a selection of Extra Information Cards to choose from. Ideal for taxi information, the best accommodation, what to wear and how to get there.
Classic and traditional
Mr and Mrs Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Samantha to Alex Johnson
Saturday 19 September 2026
at 1.30pm
The Old Barn, Somerset
and afterwards at the reception
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Why not include an RSVP card for your guests to respond to? If you fancy receiving your RSVP's in the post the old fashioned way, this is a lovely way to do it. If you are feeling generous, you can postage stamp the RSVP Postcards so it is super easy for your guests to fill in and pop back in the post.
Warm and friendly
We are getting married.
Samantha and Alex
would love you to join us
Saturday 19 September 2026
The Old Barn, Somerset
Ceremony at 1.30pm, reception to follow
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Website for details: (your wedding website)
Very small, intimate wedding
Samantha and Alex
are getting married in a small ceremony
with close family and friends
Saturday 19 September 2026
The Old Barn, Somerset
We would love you to join us for dinner and drinks afterwards
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Ceremony only wording (no reception invite)
Samantha and Alex
invite you to join them for their wedding ceremony
Saturday 19 September 2026 at 1.30pm
The Old Barn, Somerset
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Evening reception wording
Samantha and Alex
invite you to join them for an evening celebration
Saturday 19 September 2026
from 7.30pm
The Old Barn, Somerset
Drinks, dancing, and late night food
RSVP by 1 August 2026
Information card wording (the bits guests always ask)
RSVP wording
· RSVP by 1 August 2026 via our website
· Please RSVP by 1 August 2026 (card enclosed)
· Kindly RSVP by 1 August 2026
Dress code wording
· Dress code: Lounge suits / cocktail
· Dress code: Black tie
· Dress code: Garden party
· Dress code: Whatever you feel great in (works for relaxed weddings)
Food and dietary requirements
Please let us know any dietary requirements when you RSVP.
Travel and accommodation
Travel and accommodation details can be included on a wedding website which you can link to or on the extra information card.
Tricky wedding invitation wording (clear, kind, and not awkward)
No children wording
· We love your little ones, but we are keeping our day adults only.
· Adults only celebration (thank you for understanding).
No plus ones wording
The cleanest way is addressing envelopes clearly (only the invited names).
If you need a line on the details card.
· Due to limited space, we are only able to invite the guests named on this invitation.
Gift wording
It is best to keep this short and optional.
· Your presence is the only present we need. If you would like to give a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would be warmly appreciated.
· Gifts are not expected, but if you would like to give something, we have a small gift list at: [link]
Unplugged ceremony wording
We would love an unplugged ceremony. Please keep phones away until after we are married.
Quick checklist before you send to print
· Names spelt correctly
· Date, time, and venue address confirmed
· RSVP method and deadline included
· Day guests vs evening guests clearly separated
· Website link tested
· Tone matches your design
A final tip: clarity is the most thoughtful wording
The best wedding invitation wording is not the fanciest. It is the wording that makes guests feel welcomed and confident about what they need to do next.
Making Meadows have a variety of wedding stationary suites to choose from including save the dates, RSVP postcards and a collection of unique wedding invitations. Once you decide your style, we have everything you need to make your big day easy and stress free.
Making Meadows x
