We have put together some basic wedding invitation wording samples, as well as reply and reception card suggestions for your convenience. Proper traditional etiquette dictates that the phrase “the honour of your presence” is to be reserved for weddings held in houses of worship, while “the pleasure of your company” is used for weddings in other locations.

Wedding hosted by bride and groom:
Emma Margaret Johnson
and Jack Warren Smith
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the second of June
two thousand and twelve
at five o’clock in the evening
St. Michael’s Church
Orland Park, Illinois

Alternate headings:

Emma Margaret Johnson
and Jack Warren Smith
request the pleasure of your company
in celebrating their union of marriage…

Emma Margaret Johnson
and Jack Warren Smith
invite you to join them
in celebrating their marriage…

Hosted by bride’s family:
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Johnson
invite you to join them
in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Emma Margaret
is united in marriage to
Mr. Jack Warren Smith
son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith…

Hosted by bride, groom and both families:
Emma Margaret Johnson
and Jack Warren Smith
together with their parents
invite you to join them
in celebrating their marriage…

Hosted by bride’s and groom’s families:
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Johnson
and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
request the honour of your presence
to witness the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
uniting their children
Emma Margaret to Jack Warren…

Hosted by groom’s family:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Emma Margaret Johnson
to their son, Jack Warren Smith…

Wedding hosted by divorced parents:
Mrs. Audrey Jones
and Mr. Kevin Johnson
invite you to join them
in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Emma Margaret
is united in marriage to
Mr. Jack Warren Smith
son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith…

When one parent is deceased:
Emma Margaret
daughter of Audrey Johnson and the late Kevin Johnson
and Jack Warren Smith
invite you to join them
in celebrating their marriage…

Quotes to use for header or ending:Share with us Our Wedding Day

Share in our Friendship and Love
One does not fall into love; one grows into love, and love grows in him. –Karl Menninger
All love is sweet, given or returned. Common as light is love, and its familiar voice wearies not ever. –Percy Bysshe
At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. –Plato
The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. –Unknown
A heart that loves is always young. –Greek Proverb
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. — William Shakespeare
True love is but a glimpse of heaven. –Unknown

Reception Card
If the reception is held at a different location, a separate card is usually enclosed announcing the location and time of the reception. If you prefer to include the reception information on your invitation, you can use the reception card as a directions or map card.

Reply Card
Reply cards simply ask your guest to check whether or not they can attend and include a self-addressed envelope or postcard for them to return. Response cards may also include a selection of entrees for the reception allowing guests to indicate their preferences.

These modern green wedding invitations feature a heavyweight Anjou pear green card and white overlay embellished with a sparkling Amethyst crystal brad (74¢ each with envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com). The white overlay was printed with vintage clip art ($14 for a book and cd of 417 images from http://www.formal-invitations.com) of a gerbera daisy that has a contemporary edge, this image could also be used on return address labels, wedding favor labels and wedding menu and programs, creating a cohesive look.

Inspired by Bride’s magazine ideas and finds featuring hot hues of sunny days, we created these orange wedding invitations, perfect for a summer wedding. The heavyweight Papaya orange background card and white overlay were wrapped with a Moss satin band, which was embellished with an embossed Pink paper flower and Tsavorite green crystal brad. A chic look for a cool price at only $1.18 each, with envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com.

For a fresh take on July 4th, military, patriotic or summer wedding invitations, we were inspired by Vogue magazine‘s recent cover of SJP, featuring satiny blue combined with hot pink. The heavyweight Berry pink card and white overlay were attached using a Sapphire blue crystal brad for some sparkle …the sample overlay was printed with some stars using a standard dingbat font, completing the festive look. The price was also fabulous at only 74¢ each, including 100% recycled envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com

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Perfect for a patriotic, July 4th or military wedding, these red, white and blue wedding invitations feature a heavyweight Navy blue background card, crisp white overlay and sparkling Ruby crystal brad (74¢ each with envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com). The overlay was printed with beautiful clip art ($14 for book which includes 556 holiday themed vintage designs with cd of scanned images also from http://www.formal-invitations.com).

Also perfect for a wedding toss or decoration are these bold red, eco-friendly, bio-degradable freeze dried rose petals, grown in the USA from Flyboy Naturals ($18 per 8 cups).

These sparkling metallic blue wedding invitations were inspired by the stunning platinum and sapphire engagement ring from Brilliant Earth, who provides the highest quality jewelry originating from pure sources and harvested using socially responsible practices. To create these luxe invites, we used the heavyweight Midnight metallic blue background card and white overlay, wrapped with a sparkling Silver cord that was strung with the Ice glass beads for a ultra-glam look. The price was also a cool $1.02 each, with 100% recycled envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com.

Bride’s magazine latest issue featured stunning gowns on a bold red and blue backgrounds which inspired us to create these red, white and blue wedding invitations. We used the heavyweight Scarlet red background card with white overlay, wrapped with a delicate unryu sash embedded with gold threads and layered a Cobalt blue grosgrain band to complete. Perfect for a patriotic or military theme, July 4th, or for  Chicago Cub fans! …also perfect for your budget at only $1.02 each, with envelope, from http://www.formal-invitations.com

These luxe green wedding invitations features a heavyweight deep Forest card and white overlay wrapped with modern metallic cording, for modern touch. The cord was strung with a solid brass wedding rings charm, adding a traditional element. This invite also features luxury for less at only $1.06 each with envelope from http://www.formal-invitations.com. The beautiful, traditional ring shown is from Brilliant Earth, the leading supplier of conflict free diamond jewelry, on a mission to serve the socially conscious consumer, support communities harmed by the diamond trade, and lead the industry towards the greater good.

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Vogue magazines’ latest beauty trend article features confident, colorful shades of fuchsia, pink and orange to create a “wow” factor …we used the same power colors in these chic silver wedding invitations with a modern floral paper sash. The Fantasia sash is printed in electric orange, metallic silver plus a shot of fresh lime on fuchsia paper which is wrapped around the heavyweight Silver background card and white printed overlay. These hot invitations from http://www.formal-invitations.com are a cool $1.02 each, including envelope.