Invitation wording

Mr and Mrs [hosted by]
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter

[first name]
to
[second name]

[date]
at [time]
[venue]

The traditional form when one family is hosting. "The pleasure of your company" is used for a non-religious venue; "the honour of your presence" is the church equivalent.

Together with their families

[first name]
and
[second name]

request the pleasure of your company
as they exchange vows

[date] at [time]
[venue], [address]

The most common modern opening. It avoids naming who is paying, which is usually the point.

[first name] and [second name]
are getting married

and would love you there

[date] · [time]
[venue]
[address]

RSVP by [rsvp by]

For couples hosting their own wedding. Warm without being informal.

We’re getting married!

[first name] & [second name]

[date], [time]
[venue]

Food, dancing, and no speeches.
RSVP at [rsvp link]

Suits a barn, a garden, or a small ceremony followed by a party.

Save the date

[first name] & [second name]

[date]
[venue]

Invitation to follow

Send six to eight months ahead, or up to a year for a destination wedding. Only send to people who will definitely be invited.

[guest of honour] is turning [age]!

Please join us to celebrate

[date]
[time]
[venue], [address]

RSVP to [rsvp contact]

Put the finish time on the card. Parents planning the day want to know when to come back.

Please join us in celebrating

[guest of honour]’s [age]th birthday

[date] at [time]
[venue]
[address]

[dress code]
RSVP by [rsvp by]

For a sit-down dinner or a party with a dress code.

Shhh - it’s a surprise!

[guest of honour] is [age]

Please arrive by [time]
[date]
[venue], [address]

RSVP to [rsvp contact] - and keep it quiet

Say the arrival time rather than the start time, and repeat it. Late guests are how surprises get spoiled.

A baby shower
in honour of

[guest of honour]

[date] at [time]
[venue]
[address]

[registry]
RSVP to [rsvp contact]

Registry information belongs on the invitation for a shower, unlike a wedding, where it goes on a details card.

Let’s sprinkle [guest of honour]
with a little love

[date] · [time]
[venue]

No gifts needed - nappies always welcome

A sprinkle is a smaller shower for a second or third baby. Keep the ask small.

Please join us for a
bridal shower

in honour of
[guest of honour]

[date] at [time]
[venue], [address]

[registry]
RSVP by [rsvp by]

Only invite people who are also invited to the wedding. That rule catches most people out.

They said yes!

[first name] & [second name]
invite you to their engagement party

[date]
[time]
[venue], [address]

RSVP [rsvp contact]

Drinks and nibbles is the usual format, so say so if there will be no dinner.

[event name]

[guest of honour]
[anything else]

You are invited to celebrate
[date] at [time]
[venue], [address]

RSVP [rsvp link]

An announcement states the achievement; an invitation asks people to come. This wording does both, which is what most families want.

[hosted by] invite you to
[event name]

[date]
[time]
[venue]
[address]

[dress code]
RSVP [rsvp contact]

"Seven for half past" means arrive at seven and eat at half past. It is a useful phrase when the food will not wait.

We’ve moved!

Come and see the new place

[date] from [time]
[address]

Drop in any time.
RSVP [rsvp contact]

Include parking or transport notes - nobody has been to this address before.

In celebration of
forty years

[first name] & [second name]

[date] at [time]
[venue]
[address]

No gifts, please - your company is enough

For a milestone hosted by the couple’s children, name them at the bottom rather than the top.

Open house

[date]
[time]
[address]

Mince pies, mulled wine,
and no obligation to stay long.

Let us know at [rsvp contact]

Open house wording works when guests will arrive and leave across a few hours.

[hosted by]
requests the pleasure of your company at

[event name]

[date] at [time]
[venue]
[address]

Register at [rsvp link]
RSVP by [rsvp by]

Add a QR code pointing at the registration link. It saves the guest typing a URL from a printed card.