# Wedding Invitation Wording Examples (UK): Formal, Relaxed & Everything Between

URL: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/wedding-invitation-wording-examples-uk · Updated 2026-10-16 · By Beth

**Short answer:** UK wedding invitations follow a simple order: who is hosting, a request line, the couple’s names, the date and time, the venue, then what follows. “Request the pleasure of your company” suits civil ceremonies; “request the honour of your presence” is traditional for church. Copy and adapt any of the examples below.

Wording is the part of wedding stationery couples worry about most, and it needn’t be hard. Every UK invitation, from the most formal church wedding to a relaxed barn party, uses the same building blocks. Pick the version that sounds like you, swap in your details, and you’re done. When you order with us we check every word on your digital proof, so nothing gets printed until you’re happy.

## The order of wording on a UK wedding invitation

1. **The host line**: who is inviting (you, your parents, or “together with their families”).
2. **The request line**: “request the pleasure of your company”, or a relaxed “invite you to celebrate”.
3. **The couple’s names**: first names on relaxed invitations, full names on formal ones.
4. **The date**: written out in words for formal invitations, in numerals for modern ones.
5. **The time**: when the ceremony starts, ideally with guests asked to arrive 20–30 minutes earlier.
6. **The venue**: name, town and postcode (guests will put it straight into their sat nav).
7. **What follows**: “reception to follow”, or “followed by dinner and dancing”.

Keep the RSVP date, dress code, accommodation and gift list **off** the main invitation. They belong on the RSVP and details card, which keeps the invitation clean and easy to read.

## When the couple are hosting

Most UK couples now host their own wedding, often with help from both families. These are some of the most popular wordings.

Together with their families:

> Together with their families
> Phoebe & Lewis
> invite you to celebrate their wedding
> Saturday 14th August 2027
> at two o’clock in the afternoon
> The Ashes Barns, Endon, ST9 9AX
> Reception to follow

![Cream wedding invitation with a gold foil seashell reading Together with their families, Phoebe & Lewis invite you to celebrate their wedding](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/gold-foil-shell-wedding-invitation/gold-foil-shell-wedding-invitation-1.jpg)

Formal, couple hosting:

> Miss Jessica Taylor & Mr Charlie Evans
> request the pleasure of your company
> at their marriage
> on Saturday the twenty-first of August
> two thousand and twenty-seven
> at half past one o’clock
> Lyde Court, Hereford, HR1 3AE

Relaxed:

> Kindly join us for the wedding of
> Olivia and Jacob
> Saturday 18th July 2026
> 12.30pm ceremony
> Lyde Court, Hereford, HR1 3AE
> Reception to follow

![Autumn floral wedding invitation with a barn owl, reading Kindly join us for the wedding of Olivia and Jacob at Lyde Court, Hereford](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/autumn-floral-barn-owl-wedding-invitation/autumn-floral-barn-owl-wedding-invitation-2.jpg)

Fun and informal:

> We’re getting married!
> Amy & Tom
> would love you to join us to eat, drink and dance
> Saturday 5th June 2027 · 2pm
> The Ashes Barns, Endon, ST9 9AX

## When parents are hosting

Traditionally the bride’s parents host and their names come first. It’s still a lovely way to thank parents who are contributing, and it reads beautifully on a formal suite.

Bride’s parents hosting (traditional):

> Mr and Mrs David Taylor
> request the pleasure of your company
> at the marriage of their daughter
> Jessica
> to
> Mr Charlie Evans
> on Saturday the twenty-first of August two thousand and twenty-seven
> at half past one o’clock
> Lyde Court, Hereford
> and afterwards at the reception

Both sets of parents hosting:

> Mr and Mrs David Taylor
> and Mr and Mrs Paul Evans
> request the pleasure of your company
> at the marriage of
> Jessica and Charlie
> …

Divorced or remarried parents:

> Mrs Sarah Hughes and Mr David Taylor
> request the pleasure of your company
> at the marriage of their daughter
> Jessica
> …

If a parent has passed away, you might include them gently with “Jessica, daughter of Sarah and the late David Taylor”. There’s no single right answer here, so choose what feels kindest for your family. We’re always happy to suggest wording if you email us.

## Church and religious ceremonies

For a church ceremony the traditional request line is **“request the honour of your presence”**, always with the British spelling of honour. For civil ceremonies and receptions, use “the pleasure of your company”.

Church ceremony:

> Together with their families
> Emily Clarke & James Morgan
> request the honour of your presence
> at their marriage
> at the Parish Church of St Mary
> on Saturday the twelfth of June two thousand and twenty-seven
> at two o’clock
> and afterwards at The Ashes Barns

## Evening invitation wording

Evening guests receive their own invitation, sent at the same time as the day invitations. Make it clear the invitation is for the evening only and give a start time.

Evening reception:

> Jessica & Charlie
> invite you to join them for an evening reception
> to celebrate their marriage
> Saturday 21st August 2027
> from 7.30pm until midnight
> The Ashes Barns, Endon, ST9 9AX
> Carriages at midnight

“Carriages at midnight” is the traditional British way to tell guests when the evening ends and to book their taxis.

## Destination and abroad weddings

For a wedding abroad, include the full address with country, and send invitations earlier (six to eight months ahead) so guests can book flights. A details card is the place for travel tips, hotels and transfers.

Destination wedding:

> Together with their families
> Phoebe & Lewis
> invite you to celebrate their wedding
> 14.08.2027
> Two o’clock in the afternoon
> Komitsa Beach, Chalkidiki, Greece
> Reception to follow

## Writing the date and time

| Style | Date | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Formal | Saturday the twenty-first of August two thousand and twenty-seven | half past one o’clock |
| Classic | Saturday 21st August 2027 | 1.30pm |
| Modern | 21.08.2027 | 1:30 PM |

In the UK, write the day before the month (21st August, or 21.08.27), never the American month-first style.

## RSVP and details card wording

Your RSVP card needs three things: space for names, a yes/no choice and a reply-by date. A details card covers everything else guests ask about. On our suites they come as matching cards in the same envelope.

![Wildflower details card listing location and accommodation, beside an RSVP card with Yes, we can’t wait and Sadly can’t make it options](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/wildflower-invitation-suite-sample/wildflower-invitation-suite-sample-5.jpg)

RSVP card:

> R.S.V.P
> Please let us know whether you’re able to join us!
> Names: ______________________
> ☐ Yes, we can’t wait!   ☐ Sadly can’t make it
> Please kindly reply by 1st July 2027

Adults-only wedding (details card):

> We love your little ones, but we’ve chosen to make our day an adults-only celebration.
> We hope this gives you the chance to let your hair down and enjoy the evening!

Gifts (details card):

> Your presence is the greatest gift of all.
> But if you would like to give something, a contribution towards our honeymoon would be very gratefully received.

Not sure what else to include? Our [details checklist](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/how-to-order) lists everything we ask couples for, from the venue postcode to the dress code.

## Common wording mistakes to avoid

- Spelling the venue or a name wrong. Check against the venue’s own website, and ask someone else to read your proof.
- Forgetting the postcode, or giving the venue’s office address instead of the ceremony location.
- An RSVP date after your venue’s final-numbers deadline. Set it a week or two before.
- Mixing styles, such as a formal written-out date with a jokey request line.
- Squeezing everything onto one card. If it feels crowded, add a details card.

## Invitations to put your wording on

All our invitations are personalised with your own wording, and you’ll see a digital proof first. Not sure which design? Start with a [sample pack](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/shop/sample-packs/grace-wildflower-invitation-sample-pack) to see the paper and colours in person.

Questions:

- **Is it “honour” or “pleasure” on a wedding invitation?** Use “request the honour of your presence” for a religious ceremony in a church or other place of worship, and “request the pleasure of your company” for civil ceremonies and receptions. In the UK, always spell it “honour”.
- **Whose name goes first on a wedding invitation?** Traditionally the bride’s name comes first, especially when her parents are hosting. Couples hosting their own wedding, and same-sex couples, can use whichever order sounds best. Many simply choose the order that reads most naturally aloud.
- **Should the year be written out in words?** Only on formal invitations, where the whole date is written in words (“two thousand and twenty-seven”). Classic and modern invitations use numerals. Whichever you choose, keep it consistent across the suite.
- **How do you politely say a wedding is adults only?** Address the envelope only to the adults invited, and add a short, warm line to the details card, such as “We love your little ones, but we’ve chosen to make our day an adults-only celebration.” Avoid putting it on the main invitation.
- **What wording do you use for evening guests?** Send evening guests their own invitation, for example: “Jessica & Charlie invite you to join them for an evening reception to celebrate their marriage”, followed by the date, start time, venue and “Carriages at midnight” if you’d like to give a finish time.

---

Web page: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/wedding-invitation-wording-examples-uk · Contact: gracefulstudiouk@gmail.com · Full catalogue: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/llms-full.txt