A wedding invitation in Ireland should name the hosts and the couple, give the date and time written out in full, name the ceremony and reception venues, and tell guests when and how to reply. A wedding website, QR code or dress code is optional. Match the wording to your tone, from traditional to relaxed.
At a glance
| Include | Example |
|---|---|
| Hosts (optional) | Mary and John Byrne |
| Request line | request the pleasure of your company |
| The couple | Aoife Byrne and Cian Doyle |
| Date | Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand and twenty-seven |
| Time | at half past two o'clock |
| Ceremony venue | Church name and town |
| Reception | and afterwards at the hotel or house, with town |
| RSVP | Kindly reply by a date, with method |
| Optional | Wedding website or QR code, dress code |
What goes on a wedding invitation?
Every invitation needs to answer the same questions: who is inviting, who is getting married, when, where and how to reply. Everything else can live on a separate details card or your wedding website.
- Hosts: traditionally the bride's parents, but today often both families or the couple themselves.
- The couple: first names, or first and surnames for a more formal invitation.
- Date and time: written out in words for a formal feel.
- Ceremony venue: the church, registry office or venue, with the town.
- Reception venue: if different from the ceremony.
- RSVP: a reply-by date and how to reply, whether by RSVP card, email or website.
- Optional extras: a website or QR code, a dress code, or a note that the day is adults only.
If you are including directions, accommodation and gift details, a separate details card keeps the invitation itself uncluttered. A gatefold invitation gives you room for all of it in one piece.
How do you word wedding invitations? Nine examples
These are original examples. Change the names and details, and adjust the tone so it sounds like you.
1. Parents hosting (traditional)
Mary and John Byrne
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Aoife
to
Cian Doyle
on Saturday, the twelfth of June
two thousand and twenty-seven
at half past two o'clock
in [Church name], [Town]
and afterwards at the reception in [Hotel name]
2. Both families hosting
Together with their families
Aoife Byrne and Cian Doyle
invite you to celebrate their marriage
on Friday, the third of September
two thousand and twenty-seven
at two o'clock in the afternoon
at [Church name], [Town]
and afterwards at [Venue name]
3. Couple hosting
Sinéad Walsh and Darragh Kelly
would love you to join them
as they celebrate their marriage
on Saturday, the twentieth of May, two thousand and twenty-seven
at three o'clock
at [Venue name], County Wexford
4. Modern and relaxed
We're getting married!
Ciara and Ronan
Saturday 14 August 2027, 2pm
[Venue name], Lough Derg
Ceremony, dinner, and dancing until late.
Let us know you're coming by 1 July at our website.
5. Adults only
Emma Nolan and James Quinn
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
on Saturday, the second of October, two thousand and twenty-seven
at half past one o'clock
at [Venue name], County Wicklow
We love your little ones, but we have chosen to make our day an adults-only celebration.
6. Church ceremony with a separate reception
Mr and Mrs Patrick Murphy
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Gráinne
to
Eoin Fitzgerald
in [Church name], [Town]
on Saturday, the eleventh of September, two thousand and twenty-seven
at one o'clock
and afterwards at [Venue name], [Town]
7. Civil ceremony and reception at the same venue
Laura Hayes and Tom Brennan
invite you to share in their civil ceremony
and the celebration to follow
on Thursday, the twenty-ninth of April, two thousand and twenty-seven
at four o'clock in the afternoon
at [Venue name], County Meath
Kindly reply by the twenty-fifth of March
8. Evening-only invitation
Aoife and Cian
would be delighted if you could join them
for an evening of celebration
following their marriage
on Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand and twenty-seven
from nine o'clock
at [Hotel name], [Town]
9. With a line in Irish
Fáilte
Orla Ní Bhriain and Seán Ó Dálaigh
invite you to celebrate their marriage
on Saturday, the twenty-first of August, two thousand and twenty-seven
at two o'clock
at [Church name], [Town]
and afterwards at [Hotel name]
Le grá, Orla and Seán
A single word such as "Fáilte" (welcome) at the top, or "Le grá" (with love) as a sign-off, adds a quiet Irish note without asking guests to read a whole invitation in Irish. If you would like more Irish on your invitation, ask a fluent speaker to check spelling and grammar, including the fadas.
How should you write dates and times on wedding invitations?
For a formal invitation, write the date and time in words: "Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand and twenty-seven" and "at half past two o'clock". Irish and British convention puts the day before the month.
For a relaxed invitation, numerals are perfectly fine: "Saturday 12 June 2027, 2.30pm". Whichever you choose, stay consistent across the invitation, RSVP card and save the date.
Use "half past" rather than "two thirty" for formal wording, and "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" only where the time could be unclear.
How do you address wedding invitation envelopes in Ireland?
Write guests' names on the first line, then the address, with the Eircode on its own final line. In Irish usage, titles like Mr, Mrs, Ms and Dr have no full stop.
- A married or cohabiting couple: Mr and Mrs Seán Kelly, or Seán and Niamh Kelly, or Niamh Byrne and Seán Kelly if they have different surnames.
- A family: The Kelly Family, or name the adults and list children's names on the inner envelope or invitation.
- A guest with a plus one: Ms Clare Doyle and Guest, or name the partner if you know them.
Include the townland or area, the town and the county, for example "Co. Dublin", followed by the Eircode. For guests abroad, add the country in capitals on the last line.
What are common wedding invitation wording mistakes?
- No RSVP date: always give a clear reply-by date, usually 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding.
- Mixing formats: words for the date and numerals for the time on the same card.
- Too much information: move directions, accommodation and gift notes to a details card or website.
- Unclear guest names: the envelope tells guests who is invited, so be precise.
- Missing fadas: check Irish names carefully, as a missing fada changes a name.
- Not proofreading aloud: read every line aloud, and ask someone else to read the proof too.
We send a digital proof before anything is printed, so you have time to check every word. You can read more about our process on the how it works page, and see timing guidance in our guide to when to send wedding invitations.
Frequently asked questions
Who is traditionally named first on an Irish wedding invitation?
Traditionally the bride's parents are named as hosts, followed by the bride and then the groom. Many couples now name both families or host the wedding themselves.
Should you write the date in words or numbers?
Words suit a formal invitation, while numerals suit a relaxed one. Choose one style and use it consistently across all your stationery.
How do you say adults only on a wedding invitation?
Address the envelope only to the adults invited, and add a kind line such as "We have chosen to make our day an adults-only celebration." A short note on your website helps too.
Can you put a QR code on a wedding invitation?
Yes. A small QR code linking to your wedding website or RSVP form works well, especially on a details card, and can sit neatly alongside traditional wording.
Do you need separate evening invitations?
If some guests are invited only to the evening, yes. The wording names the later start time and the reception venue, and they are usually sent at the same time as day invitations.
If you would like help with wording, we are happy to look over your draft as part of the design. Request a quote for your wedding invitations and we will take it from there.
