WEDDING INVITATION WORDING UK- WHAT TO INCLUDE

Wedding invitation wording is one of those details that feels small, until you sit down to write it!

From what to include, to how formal it should feel, many couples find themselves second- guessing what to include.

This guide covers wedding invitation wording for UK weddings, including what you actually need to include, what you can personalise and some wording examples which cover formal or not!

Laura Jayne Photography

What Information Should a Wedding Invitation Include?

Your wedding invitation typically includes your names, wedding date, timings, venue, reception details and what happens afterwards. My wedding invitation suites break up the wedding invitation into a range of cards to split out the information and to lay it out in a stylish way. There are plenty of finishing touches which can be added too!

Some couples find it difficult to word if they aren't inviting children on the invitations. My recommendation is to be really clear exactly who you're inviting and say something such as "We've chosen an adult only celebration. We hope you understand and see this as an opportunity to let your hair down!"

Asking for gifts can also feel a bit awkward but word it right and it sounds fine! "Your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could ask for. Please don't feel obliged to give us a gift, but if you do wish to do so, we've created a giftlist at ...... "

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Traditional vs Modern Wording: What’s Right for You?

Your wording should reflect the feel of your wedding. For a traditional celebration, phrases such as “request the pleasure of your company” work beautifully, particularly if its your parents hosting.

For a more relaxed day, try “would love for you to join them” or “are getting married so please join them”. There’s no need to follow tradition if it doesn’t feel like you, mixing formal and modern wording is absolutely fine.

Wedding Invitation Wording Examples (UK)

A modern and relaxed approach to your wedding invittation wording is:

"Amelia and Matthew would love for you to join them to celebrate their marriage

Saturday 12th September 2026

Clock Barn, Hampshire

Ceremony at 1pm

Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow."

For a simple and classic approach:

"Amelia and Matthew invite you to celebrate their marriage

Saturday 12th September 2026

Clock Barn, Hampshire

Ceremony at 1pm

Dinner and dancing to follow."

For a more formal and traditional wedding:

"Mr and Mrs Patrick Sadler and Mr and Mrs Henderson request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of Amelia and Matthew

Saturday 12th September 2026

Clock Barn, Hampshire

At 1o'clock in the afternoon

Dinner and dancing to follow."

There are no rules, it's the wording that feels right for you!

Holly Booth Studio

How to Word Evening Invitations

For an evening only invitation, make it clear that guests are invited to an evening reception such as "Amelia and James would like to invite you to celebrate their marriage at an evening reception. Saturday 12th September 2026. Clock barn, Hampshire. At 7pm." There's a blog post all about evening wedding invitations here.

RSVP Wording: What to Include

The key is to keep your RSVP card simple and ensure guests know how and when to reply. I recommend including the guest names, accept/decline options which can be as formal or as fun as you like (in keeping with the rest of the tone of your invitation!), the RSVP date and any dietary requirements. There's a helpful blog post here all about managing your wedding RSVP's too.

Common Wording Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid including too much information, keep to the essential information!

• Avoid feeling like you have to be formal, your wording should match your wedding, not someone else's idea of wedding etiquette.

• Avoid forgetting the practical details.... double check names, dates, times and venues before approving anything is sent off to print.

  
  

I recommend adding on the time for carriages time so your guests are clear on when the wedding ends and add on the ceremony arrival time (30 minutes before the ceremony starts!)

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Making Your Invitations Feel Personal

Youe invitation is the first glimpse of the style of your wedding day to your guests, so make the wording feel like you! There's no right or wrong approach!

Once you've selected the wedding invitation you like (there are lots of wedding stationery collections on the LouPaper website!) then I can give some suggestions to choose wording and the style that's right for you. All of the wedding stationery collections can be customised to suit the colour palette and style of your wedding day.

Please contact me here with any queries or to start the ordering process. Need some more inspiration? Check out the LouPaper Instagram or Pinterest accounts!