Contemporary Wedding Invitation Wording

When using non-traditional wording on invitations, it's a good idea to keep it simple. Sometimes less really is more. You can't go wrong if you stick with the facts, especially if there are pretty designs on your invitation. Here are a couple of examples of simple wording:

• Kimberly Bride and Chad Groom joyfully invite you witness their union on this date, at this place, at this time
• Together with our parents, we invite you to share our joy and support our love as we exchange wedding vows on this date, at this place, at this time

As a side note, the phrase "together with our parents" does wonders in simplifying the wording complications that may result from divorce, death, step-parents, and other delicate family matters. It is also a clean way of incorporating parents of both the bride and the groom into the invitation wording.

Poetry

Contemporary invitations can include some or all of the traditional elements. Consider your invitation design when deciding what to say.

You can really have fun with the wording. Some invitations are written in rhymes, Dr. Seuss-style, and some in a completely casual voice ("We're tyin' the knot!"). Play around with wording and look everywhere for inspiration.

Some couples prefer to include a quotation or poem in their invitations:

Two friends, two hearts joined together in friendship
united forever in love.
It is with joy that
Meera Chakborty
and
Darin Gupta
ask you to share
in a celebration of love
as they exchange marriage vows
on Saturday, the first of August

Love is as old as time and that means there are hundreds of love poems that could adorn your invitation. For example, the following poem by Emily Dickinson would make a lovely introduction to an outdoor wedding:

It's all I have to bring today by Emily Dickinson

It's all I have to bring today
This, and my heart beside
This, and my heart, and all the fields
And all the meadows wide
Be sure you count should I forget
Someone the sum could tell
This, and my heart, and all the bees
Which in the Clover dwell.

Other Sources of Inspiration

Design

Your wording can be inspired by the invitation design. For example, if your invitations have an Irish Claddaugh on them, consider using "love, loyalty and friendship" as a design element on your invitation.

Interest

Your wording may be inspired by a common interest. Two book lovers might find it fun to include this quotation: "Are we not like two volumes of one book? ~Marceline Desbordes-Valmore" on their invitations. Whatever the couple's interest, there are bound to be quotations that speak to you.

Liven it up

Make the wording playful and still get your point across.

• Instead of "requesting the pleasure of your company," you could invite your guests to "witness a celebration of love," "share and celebrate the joy of marriage," or even "get down and dance in the name of love."
• Rather than stating the obvious "reception to follow," you might opt for one of these fun phrases: "Food and festivities to follow," "feast and merriment to follow," or "reception and rock 'n' roll to follow."
• Let your guests "accept with pleasure" or "decline with regret" on the reply card. Or, they might have the option of checking "will be there to celebrate" or "will be there in spirit."

Location

Incorporate the location of your wedding directly into your wording. If you are getting married at the beach, you might want to say something like, "On this date, Keri Bride and Blair Groom look forward to sharing the sun, the sea, and the memories of their wedding ceremony with you." Or, "Because our love is as deep and vast as the ocean, Stacy Bride and Andy Groom look forward to exchanging their wedding vows on the beach at sunset." Simple puns like "It's a shore thing-we're getting married!" are always fun, too.

Incorporating a specific aspect of the setting into the location text also makes for a nice personal touch. Following the time, date, and place, you might want to add something like "just behind the barn," "in the family garden," or "under the giant oak tree."

Theme

There's a theme here. Incorporate your wedding theme into the wording on your invitation. For instance, if you are having a fairy-tale themed wedding, you may want begin your want to begin your wording with the phrase "Once upon a time," and end by inviting your guests to witness "the beginning of Happily Ever After" for you both. If your theme counts on daisies, you may wish to incorporate the words "he (or she) loves me" into your invitation, along with the image of a single daisy petal.

Can I get a quote?

As George Sands said, "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." Such wise words are certainly worth repeating-perhaps even on your wedding invitation. And of course, Shakespeare is the master of love quotes-here's just one of his that you might consider: "When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew."

Or, if you are having a destination wedding, you might like to use a quotation that encompasses the spirit of that place. For example, you may want to quote E.Y. Harburg for your spring wedding in Paris: "April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables under the trees." Or, for an ocean wedding, you might use the words, "Eternity begins and ends with the ocean's tides" (author unknown).

Objectify it

If you are having a seaside wedding, consider hand writing your wedding invitation on a seashell, and then mailing it to your guests in a small box. Or, you might enclose a simple paper invite along with some goodies that are certain to set the mood for your wedding. A small pair of plastic maracas would be perfect for a Mexican wedding, or perhaps a mini jar of salsa accompanied by a bag of chips.

Alternatively, you might create a CD of songs that are meaningful to you both, and print your wedding invitation right on the cover or send a wedding invitation DVD.

Tell a story

Write a poem or story about how the two of you met. First, take a few moments to free write about your relationship. Here are some questions to guide you:

• How did the two of you first meet?
• What did you think the first time you saw him?
• When did you first know that you loved him?
• Where were you the first time that he told you he loved you?
• What kinds of things do you like to do together?
• What adjectives would you use to describe him and/or your relationship?
• How did he propose to you?

Pick out the lines that you like the best, and continue to play with them over the next few weeks. Perhaps, the two of you can do this together until you come up with something you love almost as much as each other. (Just remember not to make the wording too complicated or longwinded, and be sure to include your names, the wedding date, time, and the location!)

Happy Holidays

If you are planning for your wedding to coincide with a holiday, you may want to reference it in the text of your invitation. Here are a couple of examples:

• Halloween: "Let's all be famous, just for one night; come in costume to scare or delight! Jennifer Bride and Jeremy Groom invite you to their Costume Ball and Wedding Reception." Or, "Because we like a good scare, and we're fond of a good fright, we're having our reception on Halloween night! Sarah Bride and Max Groom invite you to a hauntingly good time at our wedding."
• Thanksgiving: "This Thanksgiving, as the autumn leaves turn their brilliant hue, Alexa Bride and Chris Groom will say I do."
• Christmas: "The miracle of Christmas and the magic of true love bring joy to our lives. You are invited to share our joy as Kristin Bride and John Groom exchange marriage vows." Or, "In the spirit of peace and joy this holiday season, Beth Bride and Ryan Groom invite you to share in the joy of their marriage."
• New Year's: "As the New Year begins and the old one ends, Katie Bride and Tom Groom would like to celebrate their union with family and friends."