This is a guest article written by Taylor Barry; Author and Digital Marketing Assistant.
Weddings are still a traditional affair regardless of style, theme, sex or religion. Your invitation is the first line of communication between you and your guests and sets the tone and mood for your upcoming nuptials. Besides having all of the pertinent information about the wedding, it must be heartfelt and meaningful. It’s important during the planning of your wedding to consider the impact a well-designed invitation has.
Here are some ideas for making your wedding invitation copy appreciated and your event worth attending.
Template
The outline of a wedding invitation follows a template with crucial information:
- Who’s hosting
- Name of couple
- Date and time
- Location
- Dress code
- Reception details
- Request to attend and RSVP
The best wedding invitation copy will be simple and easy to read. Too many words can lead the reader to confusion and get the facts incorrect. Traditionally, an invitation will also include information about who is hosting.
Who is Hosting?
This line usually includes the bride’s parents. However, there are so many different scenarios in rearing kids today, it could be grandparents, the bride and groom, divorced parents or even children. Generally, it’s up to the bride to decide on who to include as hosts. The party doesn’t need to be footing the bill for the extravaganza, but a considerable part of the bride’s life.
Modern weddings may choose to skip this part of the invitation altogether.
Date and Time
The wedding date and time on a traditional formal invitation is void of any numbers. For example:
- The wedding will take place on 8th June, two thousand twenty at two o’clock in the afternoon.
A modern wedding invitation wording may replace this eloquent form with a more straightforward format. For example:
- The special event is set to take place on 06.08.20 \ 2 PM.
Location
The location in the wedding invitation writing depends on how familiar guests are with the area. If the wedding is taking place in a familiar town and public church or park, leaving off the town and state is appropriate. However, if an unfamiliar destination has been chosen, the more details, the better. For example:
Please join us at Campbell Point House, 199 Matthews Road, Leopold, Victoria. Parking valets will be awaiting your arrival.
Dress Code
No one wants to feel awkward in an outfit that is not appropriate for the event. The style and wording of the invitation is a good indicator of what type of affair it is. However, if you want to make it clear, add formal or casual attire.
Name of the Couple
This information is placed anywhere in the body as is the reason for the wedding. It doesn’t matter whose name is listed first or whether the full name is spelled out. Same-sex marriages often use the first name only.
Reception
Provide as much information as possible about the location of the reception and whether it’s immediately following the ceremony or at a different time. An RSVP is appreciated to have enough food and drink available.
Below are some examples of wedding invitation copy ranging from formal to casual.
FORMAL:
Mr and Mrs Robert Levy together with Mr and Mrs David Johnson
request your company in celebration of the marriage of
Ginger Anne Levy and Andrew Paul Johnson
on Saturday 19th September, Two thousand and twenty-one
at three o’clock in the afternoon
St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
A reception immediately following at Doltone House, Hyde Park.
RSVP by 1st September, 2021
CASUAL:
Ginger Levy and Andrew Johnson
together with their families,
invite you to share our wedding ceremony at
Gap Park in Sydney on 19.09.21 at 3 PM.
Casual attire and be ready for fun and drinks immediately following.
You can see the difference in formal versus casual wording. As long as all of the information is listed, it’s up to you to be as creative as you feel. This is your special day to make as magnificent or as relaxed as you wish.
Side Note [the little typewriter]: Photos by Eak Samui from my own wedding in Koh Samui, April 2019.
