Wedding Stationery Wording Guide
Choosing your wedding invitation wording can feel overwhelming, especially when etiquette, hosting details, and design all come into play. This guide is designed to help you confidently explore wording styles and understand what information is traditionally included in each piece of your invitation suite.
These examples are meant to establish direction, not perfection! Your final wording will always be thoughtfully refined as part of our custom design and proofing process.
How to Use This Guide
As you review the examples below:
Identify which tone feels most aligned with your celebration (formal, modern, romantic)
You may mix and match wording styles
Exact wording does not need to be finalized at this stage
This guide pairs directly with our Invitation Suite Wording Questionnaire that you will complete during the Invitation Design Process.
Invitation Card Wording
Your invitation card sets the tone for your entire wedding celebration.
Opening Wording (Host Line):
This line indicates who is hosting the wedding.
Formal Examples
Together with their families
Mr. and Mrs. [Parents’ Names]
Modern Examples
Together with their parents
[Spouse 1] & [Spouse 2]
Names as They Should Appear
Names should be listed exactly as you’d like them printed.
Formal
First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
Modern
First Name, Last Name
Event Wording
This line formally invites guests to your ceremony.
Formal
request the honor of your presence at their marriage
Modern
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Event Date & Time
Formal Style
Saturday, the fifteenth of June
two thousand twenty-six
at five o’clock in the evening
Modern Style
Saturday, June 15, 2026
5:00 PM
Ceremony Location
Include venue name, city, and state.
[Venue Name]
[City, State]
Attire / Dress Code
Cocktail Attire
Formal Attire
Black Tie Optional
Reception Direction
Reception to follow
Dinner and dancing to follow
Reception immediately following the ceremony
Details Card Wording
Details cards provide important information that does not belong on the main invitation. Common uses of Details Card are the following:
Hotel accommodations
Dress code details
Transportation
Wedding website
Hotel Accommodations
Room block and travel details can be found at
[WeddingWebsite.com]
Attire (If Different from Ceremony)
Welcome Dinner – Resort Chic
Farewell Brunch – Casual
Reception Location (If Separate)
[Venue Name]
[Address]
Transportation
Shuttle service will be provided to and from the hotel.
Transportation details available on our wedding website.
Additional Wedding Events
Used for multi-day celebrations. If not applicable, this section may be omitted.
Examples:
Welcome Cocktails
Farewell Brunch
Registry
Your presence is gift enough.
If you wish to give a gift, registry details can be found on our wedding website.
Wedding Website
[WeddingWebsite.com]
Reply (RSVP) Card Wording
Reply cards help you gather attendance and meal selection information.
Reply Card Line
Formal
Kindly reply by [Date]
Modern
Please respond by [Date]
Reply-By Date
RSVPs are typically due 4–6 weeks prior to the wedding date.
Multiple Event RSVPs
Included only when guests are invited to more than one event.
Examples:
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Farewell Brunch
Meal Selection
Please select one:
___ Chicken
___ Beef
___ Vegetarian
Dietary Restrictions (Optional)
Please list any dietary restrictions.
Optional Suite Additions
These items are included only when applicable to your celebration and will be addressed during your design consultation.
Map Card – Commonly used for destination weddings or multiple venues
Welcome Dinner Card – Included when hosting a separate welcome event
Monograms & Design Elements (Optional)
Monograms are a timeless design detail often incorporated into select stationery pieces such as welcome cards, envelopes, wax seals, and day-of paper goods.
If your suite includes a monogram, we’ll guide you through:
Initial order and hierarchy
Design style that complements your overall aesthetic
Monograms are optional and will always be thoughtfully designed as part of your custom stationery experience.
A Note on Customization
With Swish Calligraphy, your invitation suite wording will always be professionally reviewed and refined to ensure balance, clarity, and a cohesive design. This guide is meant to support, not to overwhelm you!
If you have questions while reviewing this guide, I’m always happy to help guide you toward wording that complements your celebration and design vision.
