Are you wondering about proper wording on your wedding invitations? If you’re sending traditional formal wedding invites, you’ll need to follow classic protocol for properly wording them. In this post, we’re sharing the seven most-commonly-asked questions on proper wedding invitation wording etiquette.

See info on spelling out your numbers, when to NOT use an punctuation, and whether you’re supposed to include the year with the date. Read on for the full scoop!

Whether you’re ordering custom wedding invitations or using a pre-set template from a stationery shop, these etiquette wording rules are pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

These tips are most commonly applied to more formal wedding invitations. If your wedding is on the more casual side, you needn’t worry so much about wording; however, proper invitation wording tips are always a good idea to keep in mind.

In addition, any wedding invitation you send (whether formal or non-formal) needs to include the following information:

• The Name(s) of the Host
• A request to attend your wedding
• The Names of the Couple Getting Married
• The Date
• The Time
• The Location
• Where the Reception is Held and at What Time
• Dress Code
• RSVP Card Information
• Optional: Wedding Website Address (Separate Enclosure Card or Included on RSVP Card)

Now that you know what is included on the invitation, here are some tips on wording the invitations themselves.

Wedding Invitation Wording

1. Use the proper spelling of “honour” and “presence”.

When you’re wording invitations to a wedding ceremony in a house of worship, you should always use the traditional “u” spelling, i.e. “honour” of your presence or “favour” of your response.

2. Use the traditional invitation wording for a reception.

Your wedding invitation wording for the reception should read, “Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Taylor request the pleasure of your company…”

3. Skip punctuation except in this instance.

Do not use any punctuation in your wedding invitations unless it is a period following an abbreviation in the case of, “Mr.” or “Mrs.”

For the addresses of your wedding venues, you should spell out “Street” or “Road”, rather than abbreviating them.

In addition to skipping abbreviations on invitations, you should also skip abbreviations on guest middle names (and, instead, spell them out in full: “Scott F Kennedy” would be Scott Franklin Kennedy”).

4. Always spell out numbers.

Numbers are always spelled out fully in wedding invitation wording. It feels odd when you are doing it, but it is the proper way to word your invites. :) For instance, numbers in the date are spelled out such as, “the fifth of December”. You do not need to spell out long numbers on an address, though — that’s the only exception.

5. Do not abbreviate Doctor.

The abbreviation “Doctor” is proper when written in full; do not abbreviate for “Dr.” when wording your wedding invitations.

6. Include the year along with the date on your invitations.

And be sure to spell it out in full. For instance, you would say, “Two thousand and twenty”.

7. Half hours are written out.

If your ceremony begins at 5:30, you would say, “half after five o’clock” rather than “five-thirty”.

And there you have it! What questions do you have for us about wording? Subscribe for the latest!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

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