Handmade Wedding Invitations and Matching Stationery

The wording for your wedding invitations is a personal choice for you and can be as formal or informal as you choose. It is the first formal notice of your special day to your guests and therefore it is worth spending a little time getting it right. We have put together a collection of wedding invitation wording examples as suggestions for you to look through; however it is by no means an exhaustive list. You can use the below examples, combine paragraphs from different samples or use your own wording.

From the Bride's Parents

Mr & Mrs Hardwick

request the pleasure of the company of

(insert guest names)

at the marriage of their daughter

Joanne Kate

with

David Sam 

at

Roselyne Gardens, Sydney

on

20^th December 2008

at 1:30pm

followed by an afternoon reception

& evening banquet

RSVP by 20^th October 2008

on the enclosed card

Sample 2

From the Bride and Grooms Parents

Wesley and Simone Collins together with Marc & Karen Stewart

request the honour of your presence

(insert guest names)

to celebrate the marriage of

Serena & Daniel

at

Sacred Heart Chapel, Eltham / Yarra Glen Road, Kangaroo Ground

on

20th January 2008

at 12:30pm

and from 3:30pm at

Montague, 790 Hilton Avenue, Eltham

RVSP 20th November 2007

with enclosed card

Sample 3

From the Bride and Groom as Hosts

(insert guest names)

is requested to share in the celebration of the marriage of

Ms. Martha Perry

to

Mr. Timothy Frost

at

St.Capricorn's Hall, Waitara

on

16^th July 2008

at 2pm

and reception afterwards at

The Sheraton Hotel

at 6:00pm

RSVP 16^th May 2008

With enclosed cards

Sample 4

From the Bride and Groom with Parents

Together with their parents

Melinda Buckley

and

Matthew Green

request the pleasure of the company of

(insert guest names)

to celebrate their marriage

at

Sydney Olympic Park- Arc of Pines

on

20th January 2006

at 1:30pm

and reception afterwards at

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

from 3:30pm

RVSP 20th November 2005

with enclosed card

Sample 5

From Groom's parents

Mr & Mrs Smith

Request the pleasure of the company of

(insert guest names)

at the marriage of

Maggie Hoskins

with

Gerald Smith

at

The Treillage

cnr Hill and Daly Street, Daylesford

on

20^th December 2007

at

1:30pm

followed by an afternoon reception

& evening banquet

RSVP by 20^th October 2007

on the enclosed card

Sample 6

 Brides parents are divorced

either

Issued by the parent who raised her

Ms. Anna Smith
requests the honour of your presence
at the wedding of her daughter
Elizabeth Anne
etc.

or

Divorced parents are hosting the wedding together

Mr. Peter Dickinson
and
Ms. Anna Smith request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Anne

etc.

Divorced parent and new stepparent are hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Merc Fonton
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Fonton's daughter
Elizabeth Anne
etc.

Child of divorced and remarried parents both hosting the wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Burke
and
Mr. and Mrs. Merc Fonton
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Anne
etc.

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Burke
and
Mr. and Mrs. Merc Fonton
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Elizabeth Anne
etc.

Tip #1: Whether your wedding is a formal or more casual event, ensure your wedding invitation wording reflects the tone of the wedding. Moreover, If your wedding is going to be held on a beach or outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know, so they can dress appropriately.

Tip #2: For wedding ceremonies taking place in a house of worship, use "request the honour of your presence." in your wedding invitation wording. Ceremonies taking place in a non-religious setting should say, "request the pleasure of your company."

 Here is a quick guide to the main dress codes and what they mean.

Black Tie
A black tie dress code is appropriate for a formal event (and would usually indicate an evening affair), where men wear a tuxedo and women wear a stylish evening gown or cocktail style dress.

White Tie
A white tie dress code is for an ultra formal event. It is more formal than black tie and calls for the most glamorous attire. This might include a ball-gown for ladies, gloves ,stole, a clutch or evening bag and glamorous hair and make-up. For the men, it might include an evening tail coat, white shirt, white waistcoat and white bow-tie. Ultra-glam indeed! This is a chance to go all out!

Semi-Formal
A semi-formal dress code calls for well…semi-formal attire as the name suggests. It is somewhere between casual and formal. This dress code would allow men to wear a dark suit, and ladies a cocktail dress (tuxedos and long dresses are not necessary).  Sometimes this dress code can be a little ambiguous when written on an invitation, and can be interpreted differently from person to person.

Lounge Suit
The lounge suit dress code indicates an event which is not as formal as some of the other dress codes, yet it is still expected that guests dress stylishly. Men can get away with a coloured  business suit and shirt while women can don a cocktail style dress or fitted dress.

Cocktail
A cocktail dress code has typically been interpreted as being a dark suit for men and an elegant dress for ladies-brighter colours would also be suitable here. Currently, shorter knee-length cocktail dresses are quite the trend.

Smart Casual
A Smart casual dress code does not necessarily mean jeans and a t-shirt. For the women, smart casual calls for a pretty dress (cocktail or other), tailored pants or a skirt with a stylish top. For the men- a suit and shirt- which can be both dark or light. A tie is optional at this style of wedding.

Casual
A casual dress code really says that anything goes. Feel free to frock up in a dress (for ladies) or casual shirt and pants for the men.  But do be aware that even though the dress code states “Casual”, don’t forget that you are attending someone’s wedding,  so do dress casual but appropriately.

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