What to Include in Wedding Invitations: Your Short and Sweet Guide

You’ve already sent save the dates, but now it’s time to share your plans for the big day with your wedding guests. While some details are obvious, knowing what to include in wedding invitations can help you feel more confident as you prepare yours.

In this guide, we’ll explore the essential details you need to include, optional tidbits to consider, and how it all comes together with a few of our favorite wedding invitation examples.

What to Include in Your Wedding Invitations

It’s important to include all key details on your main invitation. It’s easier for you and your guests, and they can find the information they need without having to search your wedding website.

The trick to a great wedding invitation is to share all the essentials without it feeling cluttered. To make that happen, here’s what to include in wedding invitations.

Your Names

It’s your special day, but including the couple’s names at the top of the invite removes any confusion — especially for extended family. Use your full names for formal wedding invitations, or your firsts or nicknames if it’s a more casual ceremony and celebration.

In some formal settings, the parents may “host” the wedding. This is often honored by including the parents’ names and a line such as “[Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter…”

Wedding Date and Time

Your guests likely know the date from your save the dates, but you should still confirm it on your wedding invitation. Write the date in full and spell out the day of the week to avoid confusion over different date formats, especially for a destination wedding!

Another must-have is the start time, which may be written casually (“starts at 2 pm”) or in a more formal manner (“join us at four o’clock”), depending on your chosen style.

Wedding Location

Even if you’ve already shared your chosen wedding location, it’s another detail that deserves a place on your wedding invitations. Share your town or city and state, plus the name of the ceremony venue.

If you have out-of-town guests or it’s a new location for everyone, you might include the complete address and zip code. Alternatively, you can use Greenvelope’s excellent details panel to share this information without cluttering up your wedding invites.

Reception Details

Tell guests whether the reception will be at the same venue as the wedding ceremony or at a different one. If it’s at a separate location, include the venue and start time (if it’s not immediately after). 

If you’re planning the reception at another venue, ensure there’s enough time for guests to move between the two — or provide transport for them.

Some couples add a short line, like “reception to follow” or “drinks and dancing to follow.” If your setup is more complex, you might put this information on a reception card, in a separate wedding reception invite, or in the details panel of a digital invitation.

Wedding RSVP Information

Most couples prefer a specific RSVP method, so it makes sense to set it as the default. You might choose to include an RSVP card or response card, a phone number, or a return address.

Our favorite option is Greenvelope’s online guest list and RSVP system. It makes it simple to manage RSVPs with pre-filled guest names and easy accept or decline options. You can also use them to manage plus-ones, meal options, or song requests.

Optional Extras for Your Wedding Invitations

We’ve covered the essential information, but what about all those extras that you might want to mention? 

Here’s your guide for what to include in wedding invitations that feature additional information instead of solely relying on your details card or wedding website.

Specific Instructions

Some couples have key details that affect how the ceremony is run or what their guests should do. 

For example, perhaps you’re hosting an adults-only wedding reception and need guests to arrange childcare for their little ones. Or maybe you’re planning a religious ceremony and want to familiarize guests with special wedding traditions in advance. 

Dress Code

Every wedding has a dress code, even if it’s casual. Guide your guests on what to wear with a clear wedding dress code, so they can arrive feeling confident. 

For a formal wedding, this is likely formal or black tie. For informal weddings, semi-formal is more expected — or you could even opt for casual or a beach vibe if that matches your special day.

Accommodation Information

If your event is out of town, or if your guests are traveling in, it’s helpful to share information on local hotels and other accommodations. 

If you’ve reserved a room block at the venue hotel, tell guests how to book at a discounted rate. Share this information on a dedicated accommodations card, or use our details panel to keep everything organized in one place.

Travel Information

Unless you choose your family home or a popular local venue, this may be the guests’ first time traveling to that location. 

Include as much information as you can to make their travel planning easier. Along with the venue’s full address, include helpful tips such as the nearest highway exit or the best place to park nearby.

Wedding Registry Information

Many couples choose to share their registration information with guests to make gift shopping as easy as possible. 

A simple line like “registered at [Store]” or “see our wedding website for registry information” is enough to convey the message. You can also easily integrate your registry into your Greenvelope invitation. If you’d prefer not to receive gifts, let your guests know with a sweet message like “no gifts please, your presence is enough.”

Wedding Weekend Details

Planning an entire weekend of celebrations? Let your guests know all about your plans in advance so they can arrange to join you for a welcome dinner, brunch, spa treatments, and more.

5 Beautiful Wedding Invitation Examples

Combine all the information above, and you have everything you need for the perfect wedding invites. To show you just how stunning they can look, here are a few of our favorite invitation designs and wedding invitation wording examples.

They all feature one of our customizable templates, giving you plenty of freedom and flexibility in design choices like colors, fonts, layouts, and wording.

1. Elegant Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Matching invitation: Valencia Invitation

This subtle floral invitation is ideal for an elegant or sophisticated wedding ceremony, and this wording is the perfect balance of contemporary and classic. 

“Valentina Goldberg & Christian Lanier

Request the pleasure of your company

at their wedding & reception

Saturday 20th January 20XX

11 o’clock in the morning

Rose Gardens

66 Reid Avenue, California”

2. Formal Floral Invitation

Design: Christy HyLee

Matching invitation: Dainty Watercolor Florals Invitation

The script font and delicate floral illustrations on this invitation make it a great choice for a classic, woodland-inspired, or outdoor wedding. With this wording, it’s clear that the couple’s parents are hosting the event.

“With great joy

The families of

Marissa Jillian Gallagher

and

Nicholas James Hartland

invite you to their wedding

Three in the afternoon

June twenty seventh

mmxxvii

The Estate Yountville

Yountville, CA

Cocktail attire”

3. Casual Boho Invitation

Design: Tennie & Co

Matching invitation: Dusky Desert Invitation

We adore this boho inspired wedding invitation for its desert details and bold color palette. Customize this wording if you’re hosting the ceremony yourselves.

“Dakota and Jackson

together with their families

invite you to celebrate their wedding

September 16, 2023 | 4 o’clock

the suncrest resort ballroom

sedona, arizona

dinner and dancing to follow”

4. Whimsical Modern Invitation

Design: Paper Raven Co.

Matching invitation: Floral Emblem Invitation

This whimsical invitation feels fun and joyful. The addition of “merriment to follow” (instead of the typical “reception to follow”) at the end of the wording adds a playful touch.

“You are joyfully invited to

the wedding of

Rachel Carter & Marcus White

Saturday June 17, 2026 | 3 o’clock

The Lodge at Mesa Roja

Sedona, Arizona

Merriment to follow”

5. Modern Wedding Invitation

Design: Inkblot

Matching invitation: Modern Twist Invitation

If you’re looking for a modern wedding invite, this design is perfect. It’s simple, sweet, and a great example if you prefer the use of the contemporary word “union” over more traditional “wedding.”

“You’re invited to the union of

Ophelia and Benjamin

September 23, 2025 at 5 pm

The Foundry | New York, New York

Dinner and Dancing to follow”

Design Wedding Invitations That Feel Like You

Wedding planning is full of decisions, but one of the best parts is choosing your wedding invites. Use this guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing when it comes to your wedding invitation wording, and to find inspiration for your wedding stationery. 

To make your wedding invite and RSVP process even smoother, choose Greenvelope. Our collection of beautiful wedding invitations, combined with the easy guest list, RSVP, and guest management features, makes us the perfect choice for busy couples.