Your wedding invitations do more than simply share the details of your big day — they set the stage for the celebration to come. From the first glance, your wording should reflect the formality, style, and overall tone of your wedding. If you're planning a classic & elegant event, traditional invitation wording is the best way to honor your day with sophistication.

 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through formal invitation etiquette, along with examples of how to word your invitations in different hosting scenarios and ceremony types. 

 

 
The Basics of Formal Wording

A few key elements define a traditional, elegant wedding invitation:

• Hosts listed first: The names of those hosting the wedding (traditionally the bride’s parents) are at the top of the invitation.
  
  
• Third-person phrasing: Instead of “We invite you,” formal invitations typically use “request the honor” or “request the pleasure.”
  
  
• Spell everything out: Numbers, times, and states are written out (for example: “Saturday, the twenty-first of September, two thousand twenty-six, at six o’clock in the evening”).
   

WORDING EXAMPLES

1. The Most Traditional Invitation Wording - The Bride’s Parents are Hosting

For a church ceremony:
Mr. and Mrs. William Jameson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Emily Grace
to
Mr. Alexander Benjamin Clark
on Saturday, the twenty-first of September
two thousand twenty-six
at six o’clock in the evening
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Indianapolis, Indiana

For a non-church ceremony:
Mr. and Mrs. William Jameson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Emily Grace
to
Mr. Alexander Benjamin Clark
on Saturday, the twenty-first of September
two thousand twenty-six
at half past five o’clock
The Scottish Rite Cathedral
Indianapolis, Indiana

 
2. A Mix of Modern & Traditional - Both Families are Hosting

 
3. When the Couple is Hosting a Traditional Wedding

For a formal tone, when the wedding is hosted by the couple:
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Miss Olivia Katherine Brooks
and
Mr. Jonathan Peter Wells
Saturday, the third of August
two thousand twenty-six
at half past six o’clock
The Grand Hall at Union Station
Indianapolis, Indiana

 
4. How to Navigate Invitation Wording when Divorced or Remarried Parents Hosting

TIP: When both sets of parents are listed separately, it’s best to use line breaks for clarity.

 

 
FINAL THOUGHTS

Your invitation wording should feel as timeless and graceful as your celebration. By following the etiquette of formal phrasing and tailoring the host lines to your unique circumstances, you’ll create stationery that feels polished and appropriate for an elegant wedding.

At Interprintations, I specialize in designing custom wedding invitations for brides in Indianapolis and across the Midwest. Whether you’re planning a 2026 wedding at an iconic venue like the Grand Hall at Union Station, the Scottish Rite, or the Central Library, I'm always happy to help you create stationery that beautifully captures the tone of your day.

Your wedding invitations are more than just an announcement—they’re the first glimpse your guests have into the celebration ahead!

 

For couples who want their invitations to feel as unforgettable as their wedding day, investing in luxury paper, foil, and specialty print techniques makes all the difference.

 

 
Luxury Paper Stocks

 

The foundation of every invitation is the paper itself. High-quality papers don’t just look refined—they feel indulgent in your hands.

• Cotton Paper: Soft, textured, and elegant, cotton stock is the gold standard for fine invitations. It holds ink beautifully and exudes timeless sophistication.
• Handmade & Deckled Edge Paper: With subtle imperfections and feathered edges, this artisanal choice feels romantic and one-of-a-kind.
• Double-Thick Cardstock: Twice the weight of standard paper, this option makes a statement of substance and luxury.

Foil Stamping for a Gilded Finish

Foil stamping instantly adds glamour and shine to your invitations. Available in classic metallics like gold, rose gold, and silver—or modern shades like champagne and pewter—foil catches the light and draws the eye. It’s perfect for:

• Monograms
• Borders and frames
• Invitation headers and names

Foil transforms even the simplest design into something extraordinary.

 
Letterpress Printing: Timeless Elegance

Nothing compares to the tactile impression of letterpress printing. Using antique presses, ink is pressed deep into the paper, creating an embossed texture you can see and feel. This old-world technique is beloved for its artistry and understated elegance.

 
Engraving: Classic Luxury

The most traditional of fine print methods, engraving creates raised lettering with crisp detail. It’s often used for formal black-tie weddings, producing an effect that feels regal and refined.

 
Modern Digital Enhancements

Luxury doesn’t always mean traditional. Today’s technology offers contemporary techniques that bring fresh dimension:

• White Ink Printing on dark papers for dramatic contrast
• Metallic Digital Printing for shine without foil
• UV Spot Printing to highlight specific details with gloss texture 

Special Finishing Touches

It’s often the finishing elements that take invitations from beautiful to unforgettable:

• Vellum Overlays or Jackets for a soft, romantic reveal
• Laser-Cut Details that add intricate patterns and texture
• Silk Ribbons & Wax Seals for an heirloom feel
• Grommets, Eyelets, or Gilded Edges for unexpected luxury

 
FINAL THOUGHTS

Your invitations should feel like an extension of your wedding day: personal, meaningful, and undeniably elegant. Choosing luxury papers, foils, and print techniques ensures that your stationery makes a lasting impression—from the moment guests open the envelope.

 

At Interprintations, we specialize in crafting custom stationery that balances artistry with modern refinement. If you’re ready to create an invitation suite that’s truly unforgettable, click here to begin your design journey.

 

January weddings have a way of feeling magical, especially when they’re held in one of Indianapolis’s most iconic venues: Grand Hall at Historic Union Station. With its soaring arches, rich architectural history, and timeless charm, Union Station was the perfect backdrop for Grace and Sam’s elegant celebration.

 

 

 

 
THE VENUE: Grand Hall at Historic Union Station

Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Union Station is known for its Romanesque architecture, dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling, and stunning stained glass windows. The Grand Hall provides a one-of-a-kind setting that blends historic beauty with modern luxury. For couples like Grace and Sam, it was the perfect place to host a celebration that felt both timeless and unforgettable.

 
THE WEDDING INVITATIONS: A First Glimpse of Elegance

Grace and Sam’s invitation suite was designed to give guests an instant sense of the grandeur to come. Highlights included:

• Vellum folder enclosing the suite for a soft, romantic presentation
• Custom monogram crest, a motif carried throughout their wedding stationery
• Taupe silk ribbon, tied delicately for a tactile, luxurious finish
• Venue illustration inside the envelope, offering a peek at the stunning Union Station
• Laser-cut details card, adding an intricate, architectural element to the suite

Together, these details set the tone for a celebration that was both deeply personal and undeniably elegant.

 

 

 

 
WEDDING DAY STATIONERY: Cohesive & Thoughtful Touches

On the wedding day, Grace and Sam’s stationery tied every element together beautifully:

 

Ceremony Programs: Double-layered with a deep green backer card and printed in gold metallic digital ink for a refined, seasonal feel.

Menus: Printed on ivory cotton cardstock, accented with a gold grommet and tied with green silk ribbon for an elevated place setting.

Signage: From a heartfelt “In Loving Memory” display honoring loved ones, to custom-illustrated bar signage showcasing their signature drinks, every piece was designed with intention and meaning.

 
THE RECEPTION

Guests were welcomed into a warm, romantic reception space with ivory linens, gold chivari chairs, elegant wedding florals, and glowing details that complemented the grandeur of Union Station’s historic architecture. The stationery details carried Grace and Sam’s vision through every touchpoint, blending tradition with modern personalization.

 

 

 

 

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Grace and Sam’s January wedding at Grand Hall at Historic Union Station was a stunning mix of historic beauty, romantic design, and personalized stationery details. From the vellum-wrapped invitations to the custom signage, every piece told their story in an unforgettable way.

 

If you’re planning a wedding at Union Station—or anywhere in Indianapolis—your invitations and stationery deserve the same thoughtful attention to detail. At Interprintations, we specialize in creating luxury stationery that reflects your style and sets the perfect tone for your wedding day. Click here to begin designing your one-of-a-kind wedding suite.