Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette: How to Craft the Perfect Message for Your Calgary Wedding
Crafting the perfect wedding invitation involves more than simply listing the date and venue. The wording you choose sets the tone for your wedding, reflecting its formality, your family dynamics, and any cultural traditions you wish to honor. For Calgary brides, it’s also important to consider how to incorporate local details, such as outdoor or mountain venues. Whether you’re planning a formal event or a laid-back celebration, this guide will help you choose the right wording for your Calgary wedding invitations.
1. Formal vs. Informal Wedding Invitation Wording
Your wedding’s level of formality will be reflected in the language you use on your invitations. Let’s break down the differences between formal and informal invitation wording.
Formal Wording
Formal invitations traditionally follow a structured format, including the full names of the hosts, a formal request line, and full date and time details. If you’re hosting a black-tie affair at a high-end Calgary venue like the Fairmont Palliser or the Calgary Golf and Country Club, formal wording will set the right tone.
Example of Formal Wording: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sarah Marie Smith
to
David Michael Johnson
on Saturday, the twenty-first of June
at six o’clock in the evening
at the Fairmont Palliser, Calgary
Informal Wording
For a more relaxed celebration, such as a casual outdoor wedding in Fish Creek Park or a rustic barn wedding near Calgary, your invitation wording can be more conversational. Informal invitations often omit titles and use a more straightforward tone.
Example of Informal Wording: Sarah and David
together with their families
invite you to celebrate their wedding
on June 21st, 2024
at 6:00 PM
Fish Creek Park, Calgary
Dinner and dancing to follow
Tips:
Titles: Use "Mr. and Mrs." for formal invitations, but feel free to drop titles for informal invites.
Time: For formal weddings, spell out the date and time (e.g., “six o’clock in the evening”). Informal weddings can use numerals (e.g., “6:00 PM”).
2. Addressing Calgary’s Outdoor Weddings and Destination Venues
Calgary offers many scenic venues for weddings, from urban settings to the stunning Canadian Rockies. When crafting your invitations, it's essential to clearly communicate venue details, especially for outdoor or destination weddings.
Outdoor Weddings
If your wedding is outdoors, such as at The Meadow Muse Pavilion or River Café, it's important to note the outdoor setting and recommend any specific attire or considerations for guests (e.g., weather-appropriate clothing).
Example: Sarah and David
invite you to join them for an outdoor ceremony
on June 21st, 2024, at 6:00 PM
Fish Creek Park, Calgary
Please dress comfortably for an outdoor celebration
Reception to follow under the stars
Destination Weddings
If you’re hosting your wedding in the Canadian Rockies, such as in Banff or Canmore, you may want to include additional information about travel and accommodation. This could be done in a separate insert or by referencing your wedding website on the invitation.
Example: Sarah and David
invite you to celebrate their wedding
in the beautiful Canadian Rockies
on June 21st, 2024
at the Banff Springs Hotel, Banff
For travel and accommodation details, please visit:
www.sarahanddavidwedding.com
Tips:
Include any attire suggestions if your venue is outdoors or in a cooler mountain location.
Provide directions or a link to a wedding website with maps, travel tips, and accommodation options for destination weddings.
3. Incorporating Family and Cultural Traditions in Invitation Wording
If your wedding involves family traditions or cultural elements, it’s important to honor these details in your wording. This may involve how parents are listed as hosts or including traditional phrases in different languages or cultural contexts.
Honoring Family Dynamics
If multiple families are involved in hosting the wedding, you may need to adjust the invitation wording accordingly. For example, if both sets of parents are hosting, or if parents are divorced and remarried, their names should be listed clearly and respectfully.
Example for Both Sets of Parents: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Sarah Marie Smith
and
David Michael Johnson
on June 21st, 2024
Cultural Traditions
If your wedding includes specific cultural traditions, consider incorporating traditional phrases or etiquette into your invitation. For instance, if your wedding includes a bilingual ceremony, you may wish to include both languages on the invitation.
Example for a Bilingual Wedding (English/French): Sarah and David
together with their families
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Sarah et David
ainsi que leurs familles
vous invitent à célébrer leur mariage
on June 21st, 2024, à Banff Springs Hotel
Crafting the perfect wedding invitation is about more than just providing details—it’s about setting the tone for your celebration, honoring family dynamics, and ensuring guests know what to expect. Whether you’re hosting a formal affair at a Calgary landmark or a casual outdoor wedding in the mountains, your wording should reflect the style and significance of your day. By considering formality, venue specifics, and family traditions, your Calgary wedding invitations will not only inform but also excite your guests.
For more wedding planning tips and ideas, visit YYCBride.com!
