The wording of your wedding invitation provides your guests with an idea of what to expect at the ceremony. There are acceptable ways to express your desire for the guest to attend the event that fit with just about any style of ceremony. However, before you get to the specific words which will communicate the style of ceremony that you are having, there are a few details that must be included. Informing your invitee who is getting married, where the ceremony is being held and when the ceremony takes place is essential to the wording of your wedding invitation. Forgetting any of these important details can leave your guest confused about important details. As long as you include this information, the way that you go about saying it is almost entirely up to you and your spouse.

For traditional, more formal ceremonies, there are specific guidelines that govern the wording of your invitation. The type of wording depends on who is sending the invitation. If the ceremony is being hosted by the bride's parents, then the wording of the invitation will have them requesting the guest's presence at the ceremony. Specific ordering that acknowledges different parties involved in the ceremony will vary based on who is holding the event. Other common scenarios, besides the bride's parents inviting guests, take place when the groom's parents are doing the inviting, when the parents are divorced, when one parent is deceased or when the bride and groom are issuing the invitation. There are also slight differences in the wording between a church wedding and a wedding taking place at an alternate location.

When writing out a formal, traditional invitation it is important to write out all of the numbers. For example, if the ceremony is taking place on July 7, 2008 you would write "the seventh of July two thousand and eight." The same rule applies when writing out the specific time of day for the ceremony. No numbers are written in this style of ceremony unless you are including the address of the ceremony location. The number in the street address can be listed in numeric symbols. Be sure to include the day of the week along with the calendar date on the invitation.

If your ceremony does not fit the mold of the traditional or formal styles of wedding, your options for wording are virtually limitless. This is a perfect opportunity to be a little creative. You can add a personal touch if you take the time to customize the wedding invitation. As long as you include all of the essential invitation information in your document, the particular words you choose to communicate with are up to you. The way that you communicate the details of your ceremony can give very helpful and enjoyable for your guests.

Beyond the strict essentials of the wedding ceremony, there are many things that you can do to enhance your invitation. If your wedding is going to have a romantic theme, including a selection of poetry is a popular technique. A Shakespearian sonnet or perhaps one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's verses can perfectly communicate the romance of a wedding day. There are countless love poems available. Finding the right poem with your spouse to be can be a very romantic experience in and of itself. Quotes from movies, shows and novels are also popular ways to enhance the romantic mood of your invitation. Taking the time to find the right words to communicate your relationship can personalize your wedding in a very special way.

If you are having a destination wedding, there are various ways to instill the atmosphere of your exiting locale into your invitation. One popular option is to choose some common words from the language spoken at your destination to communicate the adventure. If your destination is not outside of the country, then use some of the popular images or landmarks in the area where your wedding will take place. Finding a poem or quote that discusses your location is another good way to make the intent of your destination ceremony clear. Whatever you choose to do, finding a creative way to express your intended mood can increase the likelihood of a successful event.

For a religious focused wedding ceremony it is not uncommon to choose a passage of scripture to compliment the rest of the invitation. Popular passages about love, such as 1 Corinthians 13 find frequent use. Choosing a fitting verse can inform your guest that your faith will be the focus of the ceremony, and help your event go smoothly.

No matter what style of wedding ceremony you choose to have, your options for invitation wording are limitless. Besides poems, quotes and excerpts, many couples will also include a short telling of stories that explain their relationship. Whatever you choose, the key is to create a sense of intimacy and closeness between yourselves and the guests. If that closeness can begin with the invitation, you will be more likely to have the ceremony you have always envisioned.