Your invitation wording has one job: to make a guest think "this matters, I'll be there." But the right tone shifts with the audience — older family may expect a formal "request the honour of your presence," while close friends want something playful. Here are example wordings by style and where each fits.
Traditional — for formal family invitations
Example 1
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Sarah to James Carter. Saturday, the twelfth of June 2026, at seven o'clock in the evening.
Example 2
Together with their families, Sarah and James invite you to share in the joy of their wedding day.
Example 3 (with a blessing)
With grateful hearts and the blessing of our families, we invite you to witness our union.
Modern — for an urban friend circle
Example 4
Sarah + James = ❤️
Come witness the equation.
12.06.2026 · The Riverside · 7:30 PM
Example 5
It took us seven years to say "I want to share my life with you." This Saturday we make it official. Be there.
Example 6
First we were friends.
Then two halves we hadn't noticed.
Now, a family.
Come celebrate the journey.
Humorous — for close friends
Example 7
An excuse to finally stop answering your "are you getting married?" questions: Saturday 12 June, The Riverside, 7:30 PM. No excuses — dinner's on us.
Example 8
Sarah and James lost the "do we want to marry, or do the families want it?" argument. Victory celebration on 12 June. Gifts optional, presence mandatory.
Poetic — for special invitations
Example 9
"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." Be with us on this special day.
Example 10
Two souls, one story — and you've been part of it all along. Join us as we begin the next chapter.
Minimalist — for a pared-back concept
Example 11
Sarah and James are getting married.
12 June 2026, 7:30 PM, The Riverside.
RSVP — wedding.sarahjames.com
Example 12
One heart.
Two rings.
Three hundred people.
Will you be there?
Bilingual — for international guests
Example 13
We are honoured to invite you to the wedding of Sarah & James.
12 June 2026 · The Riverside · 7:30 PM
QR-code integration — a modern touch
Example 14
[Wording] + below: "Share your memories with us 📷 — scan the QR" + your Wedding Memento QR code
Example 15
"Every photo you take tonight is a story you'll tell us later. Scan the QR and let's archive them all together."
Writing rules (and the rest of the 30)
- Date + time + place should always be large and clear — everything else is decoration.
- Add an RSVP date — 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
- State the dress code (black tie, no white, etc.) — guests genuinely worry about it.
- Gift preference is optional but explicit: "in lieu of gifts, donations welcome."
- Child policy — for an adults-only wedding, add the note kindly.
Avoid these mistakes
- Mass-sending without filling in the guest's name — it always shows.
- Writing the date in numbers without the month (12/06/2026 reads differently across regions).
- "They'll know the way" instead of an address — always include a maps link.
Adding a Wedding Memento QR code to your invitation takes a minute before it goes to print — turning 200 printed cards into a photo-upload gateway your guests reach in seconds. See our QR invitation guide to set it up, or create your event to generate your code.