The Wedding Wording Guide

We put together a variety of examples and frequently asked etiquette questions to help you write your invitation wording.

Should I use "honor" or "honour"?

Honour is the British spelling of honor. It is traditionally used for formal wedding invitations when the ceremony is held in a church or place of worship. Be aware that honour will come up in spell check as misspelled!

What time of day do you use "afternoon" vs. "evening"?

Morning: 5am - 11:59am
Noon: 12pm - 1pm
Afternoon: 1pm - 5:59pm
Evening: 6pm - 8:30pm

How do I convey who is hosting the wedding?

The host's name usually is listed first on the invitation. I included notes about who is hosting for each example below.

Main Invitation Card Examples:

  • Example One

    • Religious ceremony
    • Bride's parents are hosting.
    • Black Tie Attire.


    Dr. and Mrs. Kevin S. Daniels
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Elizabeth Collins
    to Andrew Burke Henry
    Saturday, the third day of August
    two thousand thirteen
    at half past three o'clock in the afternoon
    Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Church
    Winnetka, Illinois
    Black Tie

  • Example Two

    • Catholic ceremony & mass.
    • Bride's parents are hosting.


    Mr. and Mrs. John N. Simons
    request the honour of your presence
    at the nuptial mass uniting their daughter
    Samantha Rose
    to
    James Thomas
    Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Reidy
    in the sacrament of holy matrimony
    Saturday, the tenth of February
    Two thousand eighteen
    at three o'clock in the afternoon
    Saint Clement Church
    642 West Deming Place, Chicago, Illinois

  • Example Three

    • Non religious ceremony.
    • Hosted by the Bride's parents.
    • Groom's parents are divorced.
    • Reception and ceremony are at the same location.


    Mr. & Mrs. Charles Edwin Beal
    request the pleasure of your company
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Melissa Nicole
    to
    Michael Allen
    son of Mr. Thomas Allen West
    & Ms. Joan Hinkes West
    Sunday, the eighteenth of May
    Two thousand and fourteen
    at five o’clock in the afternoon
    The Redfield Estate
    Glenview, Illinois
    Reception Immediately to Follow

  • Example Four

    • Religious ceremony
    • Hosted by both the Bride's and Groom's parents.
       

    Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey William Edwards and
    Mr. & Mrs. Franklin James Edgeworth
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their children
    Sarah Lynn
    and
    Francis Anthony
    Saturday, the ninth of November
    Two thousand and thirteen
    at half past three o’clock in the afternoon
    Trinity Lutheran Church
    3637 Golf Road, Evanston, Illinois

  • Example Five

    • Religious ceremony
    • Hosted by the Bride and Groom or their families together
       

    Together with their families
    Elizabeth Anne Henricks
    and
    David Andrew Henderson
    request the honour of your presence
    at their marriage
    Saturday the twenty-first of June
    Two thousand and fourteen
    at two o'clock in the afternoon
    Our Lady of Perpetual Help
    Glenview, Illinois

Reception Card Examples:

  • Example One

    Please join us for
    Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing
    at six o'clock in the evening
    The Drake Hotel
    140 East Walton Place
    Chicago, Illinois

  • Example Two

    Dinner and Dancing
    immediately following
    The Miller Residence
    3 Fox Lane, Winnetka, Illinois

  • Example Three

    Reception immediately following the ceremony
    Milwaukee Country Club
    River Hills, Wisconsin

Response Card Examples:

  • Example One

    Kindly respond by the twentieth of May
    M ________________________
    __ accepts with pleasure
    __ declines with regret

  • Example Two

    Kindly respond by the first of June
    M ________________________
    ____ accepts with pleasure
    ____ declines with regret

    Please initial your choice of entrée:
    ____ beef
    ____ salmon
    ____ vegetarian

  • Example Three

    Kindly respond by the twentieth of May
    M ________________________
    Please indicate the number attending:
    __ Welcome party on Friday
    __ Wedding on Saturday
    __ Brunch on Sunday

    __ Unable to attend all events

Information Card Examples:

  • Welcome, Brunch & Website Card

    Welcome Party
    Miller's Dockside Bar and Grill
    220 Harbor Drive, Boca Grande, Florida
    Six thirty in the evening
    Friday, December 15th
    Hosted by Connor's parents

    Farewell Brunch
    BZ's in the Gasparilla Inn
    500 Palm Avenue, Boca Grande, Florida
    Nine to eleven o'clock in the morning
    Sunday, December 17th
    Hosted by Connor's aunts

    For more information and accommodations please visit:
    www.weddingwesbite.com

  • Accommodations, Transportation  & Website Card

    Accommodations
    For your convenience, a block of hotel rooms have been reserved at:
    The Deer Path Inn
    255 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, (847) 234-2280

    The Westin Chicago North Shore
    601 Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, Illinois, (847) 777-6500

    Please mention the Novak/Stuart wedding when making your reservations.

    Transportation  
    Shuttles will be provided from The Westin to the ceremony and back to The Westin at the end of the night.

    Please refer to our website for details
    www.weddingwesbite.com

  • Short & Sweet Website Card

    For more details
    www.weddingwebsite.com