Wedding and Engagement Party Invitation Wording (35 Examples)
Wedding invitation wording from formal to casual, engagement party wording, small and intimate weddings, and how to word plus-ones, children, dress code and the RSVP.
Wedding invitations carry more convention than any other kind, and engagement parties carry almost none. Below is wording for both, from the most formal to a text-message engagement drinks, plus the lines that cause the most worry: plus-ones, children, dress code and the reply date.
What a wedding invitation needs
- Who is inviting (the couple, or their families).
- The couple’s names.
- Date, time and venue, with the city.
- What follows: reception, dinner, dancing.
- Reply by: a date two to four weeks before.
- Optional: dress code, children, plus-ones, accommodation, a website.
Formal
- Together with their families, Leila Ahmed and Tom Hughes request the pleasure of your company at their wedding. Saturday the sixth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at three o’clock. Hollins Hall, York. Reception to follow.
- Mr and Mrs Ahmed request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Leila to Tom Hughes. Saturday 6 June 2027, 3pm, St Mary’s Church.
- The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Ana Silva and Raj Patel. Saturday 12 September 2027, 2pm. Dinner and dancing to follow.
Modern
- Leila & Tom are getting married, and we’d love you there. Saturday 6 June 2027, 3pm, Hollins Hall. Dinner and dancing to follow.
- Join us as we say “I do”. Ana and Raj, 12 September 2027, The Barn at Elm Farm.
- We’re tying the knot! Ceremony at 2pm, party until late. Saturday 6 June at Hollins Hall.
- Two families, one celebration. Please join us for the wedding of Mei and Dan.
- Love, laughter and happily ever after. Celebrate with Jess and Chris on Saturday 20 May.
Small and intimate
- An intimate wedding lunch for Ana and Raj. Sunday at 1pm, at home. Just us and the people we love most.
- We’re getting married at the town hall, then lunch at Lucia’s. A small day with our favourite people.
- A small wedding, a long lunch. Join Leila and Tom on Saturday at noon.
Casual
- We’re getting married! Come and celebrate with us on Saturday 6 June. Details below.
- Barbecue wedding at the farm. Dress for grass.
- We did it! Join us for a wedding party to celebrate, Saturday from 7pm.
Engagement party
- We’re engaged! Join us for drinks to celebrate on Friday 20 November from 7pm at The Lantern.
- She said yes! Celebrate Leila and Tom’s engagement on Saturday from 6pm.
- Put a ring on it. Engagement drinks for Ana and Raj, Saturday at 8pm.
- Please join us for an engagement dinner honouring Mei and Dan. Sunday at 1pm.
- We’re getting married (eventually)! First, a party. Friday at 7pm.
- Help us toast Jess and Chris on their engagement. Saturday from 4pm in the garden.
Rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks
- Please join us for a rehearsal dinner on Friday 5 June at 7pm, The Old Mill.
- Arriving early? Welcome drinks for wedding guests on Friday from 8pm at the hotel bar.
Plus-ones
- You’re welcome to bring a guest.
- We have reserved one seat in your honour.
- We’re keeping our celebration small, so we’re unable to extend invitations to additional guests.
Children
- We love your little ones, but our celebration will be adults only.
- Children are very welcome. Let us know their ages when you reply.
Dress code
- Black tie optional.
- Garden party attire: comfortable shoes recommended.
- Cocktail attire.
The RSVP line
- Please reply by 1 May.
- Kindly reply by 1 May, and tell us about any dietary needs.
- Please reply in the link below and let us know your meal choice.
- Regrets only, by 1 May. (Only for small, informal events.)
- We hope you can make it. Please reply either way by 1 May.
Sending it
For an engagement party, a small wedding or the drinks before the big day, you can make a free wedding or engagement invitation and collect replies, plus-ones and dietary needs in one guest list. Free for up to 100 guests. There’s no seating chart or wedding website, so for a large formal wedding a dedicated wedding tool may suit you better.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct wording for a wedding invitation? Host, request, couple, date and time, venue, then what follows. Modern invitations often start with the couple.
How do you word plus-ones on a wedding invitation? Address it to exactly who is invited, and say so if a guest may bring someone.
When should wedding invitations be sent? Six to eight weeks before, with replies due two to four weeks before.
How do you say “adults only” on a wedding invitation? “We love your little ones, but our celebration will be adults only.”