Wording wedding invitations

By wording wedding invitations clearly, guests will know what to do and will have fewer questions. Read on for free-to-use templates and phrases for every section of your wedding invitation.

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Wedding date and time wording

The wording on the front of your wedding invitations can be straightforward (if you let it be). Below are three of the most popular options:

[NAME] and [NAME]
Request the honour of your presence on our wedding day
[DATE] at [TIME],
[VENUE, FULL ADDRESS]
Reception to follow
RSVP by [DATE]

[NAME] and [NAME]
Would love your presence in celebrating our marriage
[DATE] at [TIME],
[VENUE, FULL ADDRESS]
Reception to follow
RSVP by [DATE]

[NAME] and [NAME]
Invite you to join our wedding celebrations on
[DATE] at [TIME],
[VENUE, FULL ADDRESS]
RSVP by [DATE]

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Wedding running order wording

As with most aspects of the invite, the running order wording should be concise and clear. A simplified example is outlined below:

[INSERT TIME] Guests to arrive at [VENUE]
[INSERT TiME] Ceremony begins
[INSERT TiME] Carriages await

You can also choose to insert the reception/wedding breakfast time, so guests will know whether to have a snack before. All other timings of the day are not needed for guests.

Wedding reception menu wording

The wedding breakfast menu wording needs to be clearly laid out in a table if guests will need to choose their food preference. There is no need to include full details about any evening food, but it is polite to mention if there will be a buffet so guests can manage their appetites according: Below are two options to use:

An evening buffet will follow
Evening refreshments will follow

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Wedding invitation: guest accommodation wording

Pre-booked accommodation option:
We have agreed preferred rates at the [HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS]. Please call [TELEPHONE NUMBER] and quote [REFERENCE] to book your room. Guests are advised to book early as there are limited rooms/rooms are only reserved until [DATE]

No accommodation booked:
There is a wide selection of hotels near the venue: Recommended options include [hotel name] or [hotel name]. As accommodation is highly in demand in [TOWN], we do recommend booking early.

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Wording for wedding bus transportation

Transport is provided:
A coach has been arranged to transport wedding guests from [HOTEL] to [VENUE]. This coach will depart the hotel at [TIME] and pick up guests at the end of the night.

No transport provided:
The venue is easily reached from the hotel/hotels, but for those wishing to book a taxi it is best to reserve ahead by calling [TAXI NAME] on [TELEPHONE NUMBER] or [TAXI NAME] on [TELEPHONE NUMBER]

Wedding invitation parking wording

For guests arriving by car, please note there is limited/ample parking at the venue. Upon arrival, please follow the signs provided.

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Child-free wedding invitation wording

If you have decided not to invite kids to your wedding, it is important to indicate this on the invite clearly to avoid any awkwardness later on. Below are three wording options to pick from.

Option A: Although we adore your little ones, we would request that our wedding remain adults only so guests can enjoy a drink and dance without worrying about upsetting little ears.

Option B: We are making our wedding adults only so we can pack in all our nearest and dearest friends. We would love your company for a chance to let your hair down and enjoy the party with us!

Option C: As much as we would love to invite all of our friends' children, it is only possible to accommodate the children of close family.

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Wedding present wording

Money option: Your presence is all we ask for, but if you would like to give us a gift, we would greatly appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund.

Gift list option: Your presence on the day is all we ask for but if you would like to get us a gift we have set up a gift list at [SHOP NAME] which can be accessed by [DETAILS].

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What should the RSVP say?

The wedding RSVP needs to be crafted in direct, plain English, which leaves no room for interpretation. Otherwise, you are doubling your work. Crucial wording to include (in order of appearance):

RSVP

Please respond by [DATE]

Guest/s________________

Accepts with Pleasure ___

Declines with regret ___

RSVP: wedding menu choice wording

This section needs to be very clear and should ask guests to indicate what each attendee will be eating. Below is a tried and tested format that will limit time following up:

Mains and Dessert options
Please put the initials for each guest attending next to main and dessert courses they would like to order

Main course Dessert course
[DISH NAME] _____ [DESSERT NAME] _____
-------Or------------------------------ Or
[DISH NAME] _____ [DESSERT NAME)] _____
Please indicate if you have any special dietary requirements ________

RSVP: transport choice wording

If you have organised guest transport to/from/between venues, this will enable you to estimate the size coach needed and provide the driver with a list of names. Below is the standard text:

Please tick if you would like to use the free coach transportation ___

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