Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

In accordance with long-standing traditions, the following etiquette guidelines apply to the wording of formal wedding invitations:

Names and Spelling

• A wedding invitation is issued by the host(s). The hosts' name(s) are spelled out and include middle names and titles.
• Titles such as Mr. and Mrs. are not spelled out. Doctor should be spelled out, unless the name would be too long to fit on one line.
• The phrase "the honour of your presence" is used when the ceremony will take place in a house of worship. Honour is spelled with a "u" in the British fashion. For other venues "the pleasure of your company" is the traditional wording.
• If the bride shares her parents' last name, only her first and middle name are used.
• The groom's name is spelled out, and is preceded by a title. For example: Mr. Stephen Eugene Hall.

Time and Date

• The date is also spelled out, as is the year. Note that there is no "and": two thousand twenty-three.
• The day of the week and the month are capitalized; the year is not.
• Use the phrase "half after" when indicating time, rather than "half past" or "four-thirty."
• The phrases "in the afternoon" and "in the evening" are not necessary.
• Provide the city and state of the wedding location. The state is spelled in full, but may be omitted if all guests are local.

RSVP

• "RSVP," which is an abbreviation of the French “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” means "please respond." Each of the following usages is correct: RSVP, R.S.V.P., r.s.v.p., R.s.v.p. and "The favour of a reply is requested."
• RSVP is only used on reception invitations or combination wedding/reception invitations; it's not used on wedding-only invitations. When used, it goes on the lower left.
• RSVP on its own indicates that replies should be sent to the return address on the outer envelope of the invitation. If you want replies sent to a different postal address, or to include an email address or phone number as alternative methods for sending replies, add this information below the RSVP:

RSVP
4010 Oak Lane
Essex Fells, NJ 07021
973-555-1234

• RSVP isn't necessary if you're including stamped addressed reply cards unless you'd like to give your guests another way to respond, such as an email address or a phone number.

Details and Differences

• The wording for a Jewish wedding invitation differs only in that "and" is used instead of "to" between the bride and groom's names.
• When a Roman Catholic mass is part of the ceremony, invitations may include "and your participation in the offering of a Nuptial Mass" beneath the groom's name.
• Don't mention gifts or attire on the wedding invitation. If necessary, "Black tie" may be written in the lower right on a reception invitation.