Wording & Quotes for your Wedding Invitations
On this page: how to phrase your names | the next line | the date | rsvp details | love quotes | wishing well poems
The Use of Names:
To start the invitation text you usually have names. Will you be doing the inviting yourselves? Do you want to have your full names, your middle names, or your surnames? With either combination you can stick to something simple, eg:
Jack & Jill
invite you to join them in celebrating the marriage
Or do you want to have "together with their parents/families" before or after your names. Do you want to include your parents' names (or perhaps the names of just one set of parents')? You can use first names only, or include middle names, you can use "Mr & Mrs" - it is up to you! The general rule is that whoever is contributing towards the cost of the wedding should have their names included on the invitation, so if both sets of parents are contributing to your wedding financially you may with to consider adding their names to your invitations, eg:
Mr & Mrs M. Smith
together with
Mr & Mrs A. Brown
invite you to join them in celebrating the marriage of their children
Jill & Jack
Jill & Jack
together with their parents
Bob and Mary Smith
and
John and Jane Brown
invite you to join them in celebrating their marriage
Jill & Jack
together with their parents/families
invite you to join them in celebrating their marriage
If
the bride's parents are hosting the wedding you could write:
Mr & Mrs M. Smith
invite you to join them in celebrating the marriage of their daughter
Jill Mary
to
Jack Michael Brown
If the parents are divorced you can separate the names (eg. Mr Martin Smith & Mrs Jan Rogers together with...)
Or if one parent has passed away and you want to include their name you could have "Mr Martin Smith & the late Mrs Jan Smith together with..."
The Next Line:
Here are a few traditional options:
- request the presence of ...
- request the honour of the presence of ...
- request the pleasure of the company of ...
- invite you to share in their joy as ...
- to join them in celebrating their wedding
- to join us in celebrating our marriage
- to join them in celebrating their union of marriage
- to join them
in a celebration of love
You can also rephrase the following to suit:
-
Love fills a lifetime,
and a lifetime begins this hour when the two of us
-
Because you have shared in our lives
by your friendship and love, we invite
-
With joyous hearts
we invite you to attend
our wedding
Invite you to share in their love
and happiness as they exchange
vows of marriage and begin their
new life together
Come celebrate with us
as we exchange marriage vows
This day our hearts
are joined as one.
Share with us this new beginning,
the first day of our life together
We invite you to be with us
as we begin our new life together
Share with us this day of new beginnings
...have chosen the first day
of their new life together as [date]
Love fills a moment,
A moment fills a lifetime,
A lifetime begins eternity,
And our eternity begins here,
at the wedding of...
The Date:
Most invitation we do are formatted like this (or for simplicity you could remove the "on" and "at"):
on Saturday 27 March 2010
at 3.00 pm
It can be nice to write the date in full, ie:
on Saturday the twenty-seventh of March, two thousand and ten
at three o'clock post meridian
RSVP details:
Are people going to rsvp to you, a bridesmaid or a parent?
What details do you want to include? Postal address, phone number, cell phone number, email...
Do you want people to phone or email their response to you? If so, you can put the details on invitation.
Will you have an rsvp card with a Yes/No tick box that guests can post back to you?
Love Quotes:
Together, we wrote our names in the sand and the waves washed them away, so we will write them in our hearts and there they will stay.
-
This day I will marry my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for, love.
-
Two lives, two hearts,
joined together in friendship,
united forever in love.
Just like a page out of a fairytale,
the storybook romance comes true
-
I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
-
Come celebrate, dance and sing, laugh and love, as we join our lives.
We will walk side-by-side
hand-in-hand...forever.
-
This day our hearts are joined as one.
Share with us this new beginning - the first day of our life together.
Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. (Franklin P. Jones)
-
Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be... (Robert Browning)
One does not fall into love; one grows into love, and love grows in him. (Karl Menninger)
I have found the one my soul loves. (Song of Solomon)
Words were spoken,
amidst a soothing tide,
as paradise proclaimed,
two souls will forever be side by side.
-
Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.' (Erich Fromm)
Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. (Henry Louis Mencken)
Years ago when they were young,
two lovers were brought
together as one.
Now and forever, partners in life
under [palm trees swaying], they'll
be husband and wife.
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. (Robert Frost)
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 perfect shell is a gift from the sea,
as beautiful and unique
as our love is to be.
-
Love is a friendship set to music. (E. Joseph Cossman)
-
A heart that loves is always young. (Greek Proverb)
On this day I will marry my friend.
The one who shares my dreams, life and love. (Unknown)
-
To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with. (Mark Twain)
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. (William Shakespeare)
Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. (Aristotle)
An answered prayer he is to me;
My greatest blessing she'll always be.
And so this day we'll pledge our love
in front of family, friends and God above.
-
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. (George Sand)
In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged. (Hans Nouwens)
-
Love is life and if you miss love, you miss life.
(Leo Buscaglia)
What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
A happy marriage is a long conversation
which always seem too short. (Andre Maurois)

Wishing Well Poems:
A lot of couples have already set up their home when they decide to get married, so a gift registry for household items is not always ideal. For this reason some couples choose to have a wishing well at their wedding so that guests can give a cash gift instead. This is also great for couples who live overseas, or who are planning to travel after the wedding - it isn't always possible to carry all the gifts around the world. Asking people for money can be awkward, so wishing well poems offer a less direct (and also more fun) way of phrasing this. Over the years we've come across a few poems and these are shown below. Some are a bit more direct than others, but feel free to mix and match the poems, or use part of one of them if you prefer. Another option is to work the word "vouchers" in there instead of cash.
More than kisses so far we've shared,
our home has been made with Love and Care,
most things we need we've already got,
and in our home we can't fit a lot!
A wishing well we thought would be great,
(but only if you wish to participate).
A gift of money is placed in the well,
then make a wish… but shhh don't tell!
While enjoying our honeymoon we'll feel brand new,
we can look back and say it was all thanks to you!
And in return for your kindness, we're so sure,
that one day soon you will get what you wished for. |
We don't want to offend but we have it all,
all household goods and so much more.
To save you shopping, sit back and rest,
a gift of currency is our request.
Don't go overboard and rob any banks
any little thing will make us smile with thanks.
We'll supply the wishing well,
just add the envelope and who can tell.
Now that we've saved you all the fuss,
we'd love for you to come and celebrate with us. |
To save you looking, shopping, or buying
here is an idea, we hope you like trying -
in lieu of gifts we have a great deal,
pay for your dinner at $... a meal.
Please don't be offended at this type of request,
as our day will be complete having you as our guest.
|
We are trying to grow a money tree
A difficult task you would agree
But it's something that we really need
Perhaps you would care to plant a seed. |
Soon you will hear our wedding bell
As friends and family wish us well.
Our household thoughts are not brand new,
We have twice the things we need for two.
Since we have our share of dishes and bedding
we're having instead a wishing well wedding.
So instead of hunting for that special dish
a well is supplied for a monetary wish.
But more important we ask of you,
Your prayers of love and blessings too! |
We've been together for many years now
and at last we've decided to make that big vow.
Our worldly possessions they do us just fine
so our wedding gift list is only one line.
A present of travel is all we require
to grant us the honeymoon we both desire.
When you are with us to share our big day,
a wishing well we will have there on display.
Donate to our travels, that would be great,
but only if you wish to participate. |
Because at first we lived in sin
we've got the sheets and a rubbish bin.
A gift from you would be swell
how about a donation to our wishing well |
On the road to married life
we've collected all we need to be husband and wife.
The honeymoon, however, is another thing
we had to choose between it and the diamond ring.
So your donation will be appreciated in every way
as it will help send us on a romantic holiday. |
We made the commitment some time ago
that together through life we were destined to go,
we purchased our furniture, linen and bedding,
in the fulfilling years leading up to our wedding.
We are blessed to have you with us
when all our dreams come true,
so please know that 'presence' over 'presents'
will certainly do.
If we are honoured with a gift from you
along with wishing us well,
you can pop a little monetary token
into to our wedding wishing well. |
They have their dishes and towels for two
they have pots and pans and oven mitts too.
So what do you get for the Bride & Groom
whose house is setup in every room?
Their house needs repairs and some upgrades too
But you cannot register for carpet and glue.
If you were thinking of giving a gift,
to help us on our way.
a gift of cash towards our house,
would really make our day.
However, if you prefer to purchase a gift,
feel free to surprise us in your own way. |
Whilst in a foreign land,
(Brides Name) had many adventures grand,
none of which could ever compare,
to the wonderful love
that she and (Grooms Name) share.
The couple will marry
whilst traveling once more,
and her family shall come
to foreign shore.
(Bride) and (Groom)
have considered the options,
as guests bearing gifts,
will come to considerable exertions.
And the airline restrictions
will also apply,
to the bride and the groom
when home they must fly.
In the place of a gift
with traditional style,
a paper gift would
bring many a smile.
A gift of paper has many a meaning,
it may be cash,
or a voucher for their favourite store,
the promise of a special favour,
Whenst the couple return
to settle into their lives
as husband and wife.
Many thanks for your consideration,
in receiving this request,
as surely you will realise
it's definitely for the best. |
So what do you get
for the bride and groom
whose house needs things
in every room?
When shopping for a present please don't be rash
as there is always the option to just give cash!
We hope you don't find our request to be funny
but we really would appreciate a gift of money.
|
We've been together for a few years now
we have pots and pans and linen and towels,
we have glasses and toasters, really quite a few
so instead of more gifts, we suggest this to you.
If it doesn't offend and it won't send you running
what we would really appreciate is quite simply money.
We know choosing gifts can be such a pain
And this way there is no chance of bringing the same.
|
We made a commitment some time ago
that together through life we were destined to go.
We purchased our furniture, linen and bedding,
in the fulfilling years leading up to our wedding.
What else we might need is not easy to foresee,
But we will be blessed by your gift
on our money tree.
|
Now we are to be Mr & Mrs
we don't need a wedding list of dishes
we have two kettles, two toasters, two microwaves
we require a house for which we have to save.
If you would like to give us a gift,
a cheque or vouchers would give us a lift
we like to think of it as our 'wishing well'
which will be filled with your love, we can tell.
|
To save you looking, shopping or buying
here is an idea, we hope you like trying!
Come to our wedding, to wish us both well
and make some use of our little wishing well.
Just put some money into a card,
now make a wish...see that wasn't hard!
Now that we have saved you, all that fuss
we hope you will come, and celebrate with us.
Please don't be offended at this type of request,
as our day will be complete having you as our guest.
|
Our home is quite complete - we've been together long,
so please consider our request
and do not take us wrong.
A delicate request it is,
we hope you understand,
please play along
as it will give our married life a hand.
The tradition of the wishing well is one that's known by all,
go to the well, toss in a coin and as the coin does fall
make a wish upon that coin and careful as you do
as the well's tradition goes, your wishes will come true.
So on this special day of ours, the day that we'll be wed.
Don't hunt for special gifts but give money instead.
As you drop the envelope with money great and small,
Remember make a wish as you watch the money fall. |
Alas! Friends and family, in sin we've been living
and if you're not yet sure what you plan on giving
we have dozens of towels and a toaster or two
plenty of cutlery and glassware too.
Some memories to last forever
is what these newlyweds will truly treasure.
We dream of visiting faraway lands
so come to you all, begging bowl in hand!
The gift we require needs no wrapping or tags
but we hope it will help us to pack our bags
and fly away on our first trip together
a honeymoon to remember forever.
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