Wedding invitations: what to include and 12 sample wordings

The invitation is the first thing your guests see of your wedding. It has to tell them when and where, but it also sets the mood. Here's what belongs on it, and sample wordings you can use straight away.

Announcement or invitation?

An announcement lets people know you're getting married (you send it to people who aren't coming, too). An invitation asks them to the reception or the party. The two are often combined: an announcement with an invitation card tucked inside, or a line such as "We would love you to join us for the reception afterwards."

What the invitation must include

• Your names
• The date and time of the ceremony
• Where the ceremony is (and the reception, if it's somewhere else)
• How and by when to reply
• A contact, or a link to your wedding website with the details

Everything else (dress code, parking, accommodation, the wish list) belongs on the wedding website. That keeps the invitation itself clean and simple.

When to send it

• Save the date: 6–9 months ahead, especially for guests travelling from far away.
• Invitations: 2–3 months ahead.
• Reply deadline: 6–8 weeks before the wedding. After that you still need time for the seating chart and to give the caterer final numbers.

Delicate matters, worded politely

Children

"We've decided to celebrate our wedding with adults only, and we hope you'll enjoy a night off too." For the opposite case: "Children are very welcome. Please let us know how many are coming when you reply."

Plus-ones

Write the names of everyone invited on the envelope or the invitation itself. If you'd like a guest to bring someone: "This invitation is for you and a guest."

Gifts

"Your presence is the greatest gift. If you'd still like to give us something, a contribution towards our honeymoon would mean the most." Never mention specific amounts. (What people usually give today is covered in How much to give as a wedding gift.)

Sample wordings

Classic

We are delighted to announce that we will say "I do" on 12 September 2026 at 2 pm at Loučeň Castle. We warmly invite you to the ceremony and the reception that follows.
Jana Nováková & Petr Svoboda

We have decided to join our lives. The wedding ceremony will take place on Saturday 12 September 2026 in the ceremonial hall of the Old Town Hall. We would be so happy if you could share this day with us.

Jana and Petr are pleased to announce their marriage. Ceremony: 12 September 2026, 11:30 am, St James's Church. Reception to follow at U Lípy restaurant.

Modern and personal

After eight years, two flats and one dog, we're finally making it official. Come and see how it turns out on 12 September 2026. Statek u Lesa, ceremony at 2 pm, then food, dancing and a long night.

We said yes on a beach. Now we want to say it again, with you. 12 September 2026, Kampa Garden. Bring your dancing shoes.

We're getting married! And because it wouldn't be the same without you, we're inviting you to a whole day of celebrating. Everything you need is on our wedding website. Please let us know if you can come by 31 July.

Funny

After carefully weighing up all the pros and cons (there were no cons), we've decided to get married. Attendance is optional, dancing is not.

Notice: on 12 September 2026 two people will be irreversibly joined. Witnesses wanted, food provided.

Yes, really. Yes, it's the one. Yes, there will be cake. Come!

Short, for a save the date

Save 12 September 2026. We're getting married and we want you there. Invitation to follow.

In Czech (for Czech guests)

S radostí oznamujeme, že si dne 12. září 2026 ve 14 hodin řekneme své ano na zámku Loučeň. Srdečně Vás zveme na svatební obřad i následnou hostinu.

Bereme se! Rezervujte si 12. září 2026, pozvánka dorazí.

Paper or digital?

A paper invitation is a lovely keepsake, especially for grandparents. A digital invitation takes care of everything practical: guests reply in a couple of clicks, they have the map, the schedule and the parking information in one place, and you don't have to ring round anyone.

These days most couples combine the two: a paper invitation with a QR code that leads to each guest's own page. In only.wedding every guest gets their own QR code with a 9-digit code underneath. The code works as their login: they enter it at only.wedding/kod and land on their page even without scanning the QR code. You see the replies in real time.