Crafting the perfect wedding invitation involves more than just choosing the design and wording of the actual invitation. The envelope it's sent in is the first impression guests get, and the wording on the envelope can set the tone for the entire event. Here's a comprehensive guide on wedding invitation envelope wording to help you get it right.
Understanding Wedding Invitation Envelope Wording
The wording on your wedding invitation envelope should be clear, concise, and reflective of your wedding style. It should also include all the necessary information to ensure your guests know where to go and when. Here are some key elements to include:
- Names: Start with the full names of the hosts, usually the parents of the couple. If you're hosting your own wedding, you can start with "Together with their families".
- Request Line: This is the line that asks guests to attend your wedding. It can be formal ("request the pleasure of your company") or informal ("please join us for a celebration").
- Date and Time: Include the date and time of the ceremony and reception. If they're at different times, you can list them separately.
- Location: Include the full address of the venue, including the city and state. If the ceremony and reception are at different locations, you can list them separately.
Formatting Your Envelope Wording
Once you've decided what to include, it's time to format your envelope wording. Here's a basic structure to follow:
Host(s)
Request Line
Date
Time
Location
Here's an example:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Emily
to
Mr. Alexander Smith
Saturday, the sixth of June
two thousand twenty-one
five o'clock in the evening
St. Mary's Church
123 Main Street
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Special Considerations
There are a few special cases where you might need to adjust your envelope wording:
Hosting Your Own Wedding
If you're hosting your own wedding, you can start with "Together with their families" or simply your own names. Here's an example:
Together with their families
Emily Jane Doe
and
Alexander James Smith
request the pleasure of your company
... (rest of the information)
Destination Weddings
For destination weddings, you might want to include a line about travel arrangements. Here's an example:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Emily
to
Mr. Alexander Smith
Saturday, the sixth of June
two thousand twenty-one
five o'clock in the evening
St. Mary's Church
123 Main Street
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Travel arrangements can be made through
[Travel Agency Name]
[Contact Information]
Informal Weddings
For informal weddings, you can use more casual language. Here's an example:
Emily & Alex
are getting hitched!
You're invited to the party
Saturday, June 6th, 2021
5:00 PM
St. Mary's Church
123 Main Street
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Tips for Choosing the Right Envelope Wording
Here are some final tips to help you choose the right envelope wording:
- Match the formality of your invitation. If your invitation is formal, your envelope wording should be too. If your invitation is casual, your envelope wording can be too.
- Consider your guests. If many of your guests are older or more traditional, you might want to stick with a more formal wording. If your guests are younger or more casual, you can use more informal language.
- Proofread. Make sure to proofread your envelope wording carefully to ensure there are no mistakes.
By following these guidelines, you can create wedding invitation envelope wording that's clear, concise, and reflective of your wedding style. Happy planning!