Invitation wording …suggestions, tips and tricks, to help you find the words to announce your I dos’!

Table of contents

Invitation basics 2 When do I send out our invitations? 2 Do I need Save the Date cards? 2

Invitation wording 3 From Parents 3 From and Groom’s Parents 3 From Bride and Groom 4 From Bride and Groom with Parents 4 From Groom’s Parents 5

What to wear! 6

RSVP wording 7

Wishing well wording 8 A gift-free event 10

Ways to Announce an… adults only 11 Keeping it short and sweet 11 If you have limited budget and/or space 11 Because there’s no bed time! 11 New-borns, nieces and nephews are the exceptions 12

Invitation basics When do I send out our invitations? Traditionally, invitations go out eight to ten weeks before the wedding — that will give your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It also gives you plenty of time to finalise your planning with venues and caterers.

If it's a destination wedding, give guests more time and send your invitations at a minimum three months ahead of time. Destination will require your guests make travel and accommodation arrangements. It’s a good idea to use a “Save the Date” invitation for destination weddings.

Do I need to send Save the Date cards? A “Save the Date” is a brief invitation that’s usually sent as a postcard to alert your guests that they are invited to your wedding, with the date and location, and that you’ll be in touch in the future with more details.

Typically, couples send out save the dates a few months after they have been engaged, so that guests know the question has been popped and a wedding is coming up. It’s important to have your date and location locked in before you send Save the Date cards. Changing your mind down the track could be confusing for guests.

Sending a “Save the Date” isn’t mandatory, and for some, it might not be necessary. I recommend sending Save the Date cards for destination weddings and include your recommendations for travel and accommodation so bookings can be made early to avoid disappointment.

Invitation wording These days, there are no rules when it comes to writing your wedding invitations. Below are some examples to help you word your invitations. Traditionally the Brides name always appeared on the invitation first because it was her parents that were hosting the wedding and inviting the guests. Today the role of host is shared within the family so it’s purely your preference how you choose to word your wedding invitations.

From Brides Parents

(brides parents’ names) request the pleasure of the company of (line or guests name) at the of their daughter (brides name) with (grooms name) at (ceremony) (ceremony address) on (date) at (time) and afterwards at (reception) (reception address) at (time) code "We would be honoured if you would share this special occasion with us"

From Bride and Groom’s Parents

Mr and Mrs (bride’s parents) together with Mr and Mrs (grooms parents) are proud to invite (line or guests name) to celebrate the marriage of their children (bride) and (groom) at (ceremony) (ceremony address) on (date) at (time) and afterwards at (reception) (reception address) at (date) dress code "We would be honoured if you would share this special occasion with us"

From Bride and Groom

(bride’s name) and (grooms name) request the pleasure of the company of (line or guests name) to share in the celebration of our marriage at (ceremony) (ceremony address) on (date) at (time) and afterwards at (reception) (reception address) at (time) dress code "We would be honoured if you would share this special occasion with us"

From Bride and Groom with Parents

Together with their parents (brides name) and (grooms name) request the pleasure of the company of (line or guests name) at their marriage at (ceremony) (ceremony address) on (date) at (time) and afterwards at (reception) (reception address) at (time) dress code "We would be honoured if you would share this special occasion with us"

From Groom’s Parents

Mr and Mrs (groom’s parents) request the pleasure of the company of (line or guests name) at the marriage of (brides name) to their son (grooms name) at (ceremony) (ceremony address) on (date) at (time) and afterwards at (reception) (reception address) at (time) dress code "We would be honoured if you would share this special occasion with us"

What to wear! Mentioning dress code on your wedding invitations is often encouraged and is usually the last piece of information on your invitation. The dress code ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want, and it’s helpful for guests to know exactly what is expected of them for attire.

Casual Casual dress means wedding guests can wear pretty much anything they want. What to expect from your guests? A summer dress or dress pants with button-down shirt or polo shirt.

Cocktail Attire, Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual All three describe somewhere between formal and casual. What to expect from your guests? A or a and tie or a sport coat.

Beach Formal Beach inherently indicates casual, which is why formal is tacked on to the end — it’s still a classy affair. What to expect from your guests? A formal summer sundress (tea-length or knee-length) with flats or a summer suit with linen shirt, linen pants or khakis and sandals.

Formal Attire or Optional Indicates the wedding party will be in formal wedding attire, and it’s optional for the guests. What to expect from your guests? A dark suit or tux or formal evening wear such as a floor length dress or evening pant suit. Black Tie Black Tie usually indicates an evening affair. A tuxedo or a formal gowns of any length. This is the most formal of all dress codes. Long-tail tuxedos and or full-length ball gowns.

RSVPs What is an RSVP? So to start it’s interesting to know that, RSVP is an acronym derived from the French phrase Répondez s'il vous plaît, translated to "Respond if you please" to require confirmation of an invitation.

Why do I need an RSVP? It’s important to include RSVP requirements with your invitations to finalise your party plans. You can choose to have a separate card the guest can complete and return to you or simply provide a date to reply with a phone or email.

When should my RSVP be? I highly recommend making the RSVP deadline four to six weeks before the wedding date at a minimum. You will need plenty of time to contact guests that have not responded with an RSVP and collate the final headcount for your catering and bar suppliers. You will also need to arrange your table seating if you are having a sit-down meal, and table arrangements and décor. If you are unsure of what date to use as your RSVP deadline, check with your venue to see when they would like the final head count and factor that into your timeline.

How do I write an RSVP? Your wedding RSVP card wording can be to the point and formal, or creative and funny. No matter what theme you choose, there are a few pieces of information you must include. 1. RSVP date There are a few ways you can request the RSVP, such as: RSVP by the Twentieth of June The favour of a reply is requested by June 20th Please respond by June 20th Kindly reply by June 20th Your reply is requested by June 20th

2. A space for your guests to write in their names Traditionally, this is done in writing by the guest, however, if you would like Elliefont can print each guests’ names on the RSVP card to make this step even easier.

3. A checkbox for Accept or Decline. The accept and decline wording is one spot on the RSVP card where you can have fun and get creative. Below are some examples for you to consider Accepts with pleasure | Declines with regret Graciously accepts | Respectfully declines Wouldn’t miss it for the world | Will celebrate from afar Yes! Can’t wait. | No, I’ll forever regret this decision. Hell yes! | Oh no! Can’t make it. Yes! The party doesn’t start without me. | No. Party on without me. J | L

4. A space for your guests to include dietary requirements, is a good idea for guests that may have allergies, prefer a vegetarian diet, etc. You can request this information with a simple space for text. Dietary requirements ______

or if you know what’s on the menu give your guests the option to choose their meals before the day. Please choose your meal ¡ Chicken ¡ Beef ¡ Seafood

5. You can also have a bit of fun and ask your guests for music requests. For example Name a song that will get you on the dance floor ______

Wishing well wording There are so many poems to choose from for your wishing well wording or you can even write your own. Below are some examples you can use or search the thousands online to find the perfect one for you.

Our two families have come together as one. We hope you can join in the fun. A wishing well we thought would be great, but only if you wish to participate. A gift of money is placed in the well Then make a special wish, but do not tell... Please do not be offended by this type of request, as our day is complete, by having you as our guest.

A little suggestion, just in case You were thinking of buying us bed spreads and plates, For a while now we have been renting a home, so most of our furnishing we already own. And now for a deposit we are trying to save to purchase our own home and have family days The gift of money we would appreciate, Only if you would like to participate So if you would like to add to our wishing well, We would be eternally grateful.

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However if you wish to honour us with a gift, we have registered with...... You can request our gift registry list by emailing...... We will also have a wishing well available at our reception for those who wish to contribute this way.

In our home we have many things That living together always brings Toasters and tumblers we have bought And because of this we have thought A donation would be great If any of our special guests wish to participate. So we can travel overseas, far and wide But never leave each other’s side And when our honeymoon is all done We’ll have great memories and can thank you for all our fun.

More than just kisses so far we've shared Our home has been made with love and care Most things we need we’ve already got Like a toaster and kettle, pans and pots. A wishing well we thought would be great (but only if you wish to participate) A gift of money is placed in the well Then make a wish … but do not tell. Once we’ve replaced the old with the new we can look back and say it was thanks to you! And in return for your kindness we’re sure that one day soon you'll get what you wished for!

The tradition of the wishing well used on the wedding day, is here both for your money gifts and for what you would like to say. So please drop in a token of love for this special Groom & Bride, as they start their life united by God to live forever side by side.

Many of our guests have enquired for a gift idea to be inspired Like many couples today We have most things anyway If you would like to give, it is our request for something for our treasure chest A gift of money you can afford is just what we need you can be assured

Soon you will hear our wedding bell, As Friends and family wish us well. Our household thoughts are not brand new, We have twice the things we need for two. Since we have our share of dishes and bedding, We're having instead a wishing well wedding. But more important we ask of you, your prayers of love and blessings too!

Our home is quite complete now, We've been together long. So please consider our request, And do not take us wrong. A delicate request it is, We hope you understand. Please play along, as it will give Our married life a hand.

The tradition of the wishing well, Is one that's known by all. Go to the well, toss in a coin And as the coin does fall. Make a wish upon that coin, And careful as you do. Cause as the well's tradition goes, Your wishes will come true.

So on this special day or ours, The day that we'll be wed. Don't hunt for special gifts But give money is it's stead. And as you drop the envelope, With money great and small, Remember, make your wish As you watch your money fall.

A gift-free event

Your presence at this event is gift enough for us, so we kindly request no gifts. We have all the material goods we need (and definitely a lack of room for more). \If you'd like to contribute to our [wedding/honeymoon/life/charity.], we would love it if you'd donate to our [fill in your cash registry or charitable giving links here].

We do not have a wedding gift list, nor a request for specific things. All we want is your company and the memories the day brings. A gift of money would be lovely, and appreciated by us. But please do not feel pressured as this absolutely isn't a must. The choice is really up to you, and we would like to say we hope you come enjoy yourselves and have a lovely day.

Ways to Announce an… Adults Only Wedding

Keeping it short and sweet • Please join us for an adult reception at six o’clock. • Please note this will be an adults-only celebration. • Adult (18 and older) reception to follow. • We respectfully request no children under 16 at the reception. • Although we love your little ones, this is an adult only affair. • The bride and groom request that this be an adults-only reception. • Please celebrate with us at an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony. • Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children – thank you for your understanding.

If you have limited budget and/or space • [X] seats have been reserved in your honour. Please let us know if you will be joining us! • Due to limited venue space, adults only please. • Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children. • Although we love your children, we regretfully cannot accommodate them at the venue due to restricted numbers. • Although we adore your children, due to budget/space constraints we ask that only adults attend. • Regrettably our chosen venue is unable to accommodate children. Professional babysitting will be provided at the hotel. • Or include a personalised note with your invitation: We’d love to have Lexie and Max there but unfortunately we’re limited by budget/space constraints. We hope you can still make it.

Because there’s no bed time! • To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation and uninhibited revelry, we respectfully ask that no children attend the reception. • We love your kids but thought you might like a night off. Adults only please! • To give all our guests the opportunity to celebrate without having to worry about little eyes and ears, we politely request no children. • We hope you will understand our decision to make the wedding children-free, and take the opportunity to let your hair down and celebrate in style! • To allow all guests to relax and enjoy themselves, we have chosen to make our special day adults only. We thank you for your understanding.

New-borns, nieces and nephews are the exceptions • Children of immediate family only please. • Respectfully, an adult occasion (18+). Infants under 12 months welcome. • Due to limited numbers, we hope you appreciate that children are only invited if named. • Unfortunately we are only able to accommodate children in the wedding party at our reception. • We wish we could include all children, but are unfortunately only able to invite immediate family. • Due to necessity rather than choice, it is children of immediate family only. We hope you understand and enjoy your night off! • Unfortunately due to space limitations, we are having an adults-only reception. The only children attending are those who are part of our wedding party. If anyone needs help with making arrangements for child care, please let us know and we will do our best to assist.