A Complete Guide to Wedding Invitation Wording for Scottish and Glasgow Weddings

Your wedding invitations are more than just a way to share the date - they set the tone for your entire celebration. The wording you choose communicates not only the details of your day but also the style and feel of your wedding.

Whether you lean towards traditional and elegant or modern and relaxed, there are a few timeless elements that every invitation should include. Think of these as the essential building blocks you can then personalise and style them to suit your vision.

Here’s our complete breakdown of the five core sections of a wedding invitation, plus tips to make each one uniquely yours.

1. Who’s Hosting & Request to Attend

Traditionally, the hosts - often the couple’s parents - are named first on the invitation. If both sets of parents are contributing, their names can be listed together.

Examples:

• Mr & Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter…

• Together with their families, Jane & John invite you to celebrate their marriage…

Today, many couples are paying for their wedding themselves and may choose to skip the formal host line entirely. The key is to choose wording that feels natural to you as a couple, whether that’s formal and traditional or warm and casual.

Examples:

• Jane & John request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their wedding.

Pro tip: “The honour of your presence” is traditionally used for a religious service, adding a touch of formality. “Request the pleasure of your company” is perfect for civil ceremonies or relaxed celebrations.

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2. The Names of the Couple

The stars of the show - your names - should be the focal point of your invitation.

Your choice of font, size, and placement will set the tone.

Formal:

• Miss Jane Marie Smith to Mr John Richard Allan

Modern:

• Jane & John

Traditionally, the bride’s name appears first, but many couples now choose the order that sounds best or feels most natural to them. The length of each of you names can sometimes impact what looks best visually on the design.

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3. The Date & Time

Most couples choose to keep this simple, e.g. Saturday 26th May 2025, at 2:00pm.

If you’d like a more formal style, write it out in full,

e.g. Saturday 26th May 2025, at Two o’clock in the Afternoon.

The choice here really comes down to how formal or relaxed you want your stationery to feel.

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4. The Venue

If your ceremony and reception are in different locations, list the ceremony venue first, followed by a line such as “Reception to follow” and the reception address.

If it’s all in one place, you can simply name the venue and add:

• Reception to follow

• Dinner & Dancing to follow

Pro tip: Always include the full address, even if guests “should” know it - it helps with travel planning and sat nav searches.

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5. The Conclusion

This is where you typically include a short note about what follows the ceremony. Many couples choose something simple like Dinner and Dancing to Follow — but in Scotland, it’s common to add a touch of local flair, such as Dinner and Ceilidh Dancing to Follow.

Alternatively, you can include the time for guests to depart at the end of the evening, traditionally worded as Carriages at Midnight.

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Why Wording Matters

Your wedding invitation is the first physical piece of your wedding that guests will see. It sets expectations, builds excitement, and gives a glimpse into the celebration you’ve planned. The right wording ensures it’s both beautiful and functional - a keepsake for your guests and a clear guide to your big day.

As your stationer, I’ll guide you through every step, helping you choose wording that feels personal, flows beautifully on the page, and works perfectly with your design.

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✨ Ready to create wedding invitations that feel timeless, personal, and unforgettable?

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