Formal Wedding Invitations: Designs, Messaging, and Etiquette

Your special day is fast approaching, and you’re deep in the trenches of wedding planning. You set your sights early on for an elegant affair — black ties, wedding cake tiers, and a live band. There are still plenty of decisions to be made, and deciding on a formal wedding invitation design is at the top of your list.

You’ll need to pick out your stationery, decide what to write, and finalize your invitation wording. And while this is your big day — and therefore you, and only you, make the rules — we have a few suggestions for formalizing all of the above. Below, you’ll find wedding invitation etiquette, selected messages to include, and a few sample designs that make an excellent fit for a formal wedding.

What to Include in Formal Wedding Stationery

First, consider your entire invitation suite when deciding on what to include in your formal wedding invitation. Your save the date card and actual invite are your opportunity to inform guests about various arrangements — including proper attire, reception information, and the date and time of your special day.

For local weddings, customary etiquette suggests sending out save the date cards 4-6 months in advance, with the formal invitation arriving 6-8 weeks before the big day. For destination weddings, those time frames double — with save the dates going out a full year in advance and invitations being sent 3-4 months prior to your wedding.

A save the date card usually contains information on lodging, a wedding website, and the date of the event. On your actual invitation, consider including the following:

• The full names of the happy couple including formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Mx., Dr., etc)
• Who’s hosting, such as the bride’s parents or groom’s parents, again using full names and titles
• The names of each person in the household who is invited to the ceremony, including plus ones and children if welcome
• The date, time, and location of the ceremony
• The dress code (formal, black tie, black tie optional, or white tie)
• Reception information, including the time and place, any details about a cocktail hour (if applicable), meal choices, after-party information, and any other relevant items

Tips for Formal Wedding Invitation Wording 

For formal invitations, there are a few etiquette suggestions you might want to consider. Wedding invitation wording should always include full names to create a formal tone. List married guests’ names on a single line on their invitation and list unmarried couples on separate lines on their invitations. Finally, be sure to list every single guest on the envelope, including “and guest” for plus ones and listing the first names of invited children.

For more information on special titles (such as members of the armed forces and doctors) and more detailed examples of formal invitation addresses, be sure to review this complete guide to addressing wedding invitations.

Your wording should be elevated to match the formality of the wedding invite design. That means using ceremonial language throughout the card including things like:

“We request the pleasure of your company” (rather than “you’re invited”). 

Finally, always operate under the assumption that words should be spelled out on formal wedding invitations. For example, with addresses, always spell out each individual word, avoiding abbreviations like St., Rd., or Ave. Fortunately, with an online invitation, you can skip this step, listing just the wedding guests’ complete names on the outer envelope.

You’ll also want to spell out the full date and time, not using numbers or abbreviations.

How Online Invitations Take the Stress Out of Formal Wedding Invites

A formal online wedding invitation also typically comes with a separate RSVP card. However, if you’re sending a virtual invitation, this can be handled without the extra paper (or hassle!).

With virtual invitations, RSVPs and responses to survey questions (like meal preferences) are tracked for you. There’s no need to include a separate response card, tally those “yeses” and “nos” by hand, or worry that a response got lost in the mail. In fact, Greenvelope even tracks open rates so you know which of your guests read your invitation and when.

10 Beautiful Formal Wedding Invitation Suites 

Now that you know what to include, it’s time to select your invitation. Below are 10 gorgeous invitations that are the perfect complement to any formal wedding. For more ideas, browse through the 1,400+ designs in our complete wedding invitation collection.

1. Vintage Floral Frame Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

This whimsical design features a bold print with the happy couple’s names, surrounded by gold leaves and branches. The old-world feel has a slightly vintage, almost nostalgic pattern to it, making it the perfect invitation for a formal ceremony.

Choose from six contemporary color schemes or create a color palette of your own design. The corresponding save the date card matches the invitation perfectly, while the thank you note features a photo of the couple.

2. Modern Beach Botanicals Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

You can still dip your toes in the sand while throwing a formal wedding. This beach-inspired invitation is ideal for destination or outdoor weddings, featuring letterpress botanicals and an almost nautical color palette. Rose gold accents give this wedding invitation an elegant flair, as do the midnight blue envelopes. A white save the date card captures a photo of the happy couple, while the thank you note matches the floral invitation.

3. Forever Script Invitation 

Design: Claudia Owen

This classic wedding invitation features a calligraphy script, transcribing the word “forever” across a photo of the couple. Below, you’ll see the two names and the details of the ceremony.

The cursive typography is carried throughout the entire luxury wedding invitation suite, from the save the date card to the thank you note. You could even use a similar font for the seating chart and table numbers at your wedding reception, keeping with the design theme throughout the evening.

4. Painted Vellum Invitation

Design: M. Taylor Design Co.

This modern wedding invitation is the perfect way to invite guests to your formal nuptials. The semi-transparent vellum paper is dressed up by hand-painted alcohol ink artwork and subtle hints of gold throughout. The wedding invitation set features a matching save the date and thank you card for a formal and cohesive look.

5. Wildwood Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Any bride or groom who has ever fallen in love with country-chic wedding decor will swoon over this rustic wedding invitation. Dark hardwood serves as the background, while the details of the special day are written in cream over top.

Hand-drawn florals delicately frame the text. Whether you choose to host your elegant wedding at a vineyard, country mansion, or high-end ski lodge, these invitations will pair with your rustic-chic theme beautifully.

6. Distinguished Monogram Invitation

Design: Annie Montgomery Design

The beauty is in the details of this illustrious invite, featuring a formal air you’re sure to love. The weathered paper background adds a hint of old-world glamor while the prominent monogram and gold foil wreath lend a contemporary vibe. Bold font, calligraphy accents, and a shimmer envelope insert on this wedding invitation card are replicated in the matching save the date and thank you note. Add a wax seal to make this high-quality, elegant invitation even more luxe.

7. Trailing Blooms Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

This romantic yet traditional wedding invitation features large calligraphy and a subdued watercolor palette. On the left side of the card, you’ll see illustrated flowers, a design that’s carried through the entire invitation suite. If you’re hosting a spring or fall formal wedding, this beautiful invitation may be exactly what you had in mind.

8. Elegant Union Invitation

Design: Angela Thompson

Sometimes, the most effortless things are the most elegant. With this simple wedding invitation suite, a plain, cream background is highlighted by a contemporary rose gold font, which matches the envelope. You can also choose purple, pink, green, gray, or white as your color scheme, or customize it to suit your tastes. 

9. Laser Cut Palms Invitation 

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Whether you’re planning a minimalist wedding theme or going for all-out glamor, this gorgeous template features a formal and crisp air. The laser-cut paper effect lends an ethereal mood and creates a three-dimensional look. The greenery pairs well with tropical weddings while the modern font completes the contemporary vibe.

10. Bold Acrylic Invitation

Design: aticnomar designs & art

Formal doesn’t have to mean stuffy, thanks to this bold and elegant wedding invitation. A hand-painted acrylic background adds a touch of whimsy, creating movement that’s ideal for wild and free couples. Formal wording in bold font catches the attention of everyone on your guest list, ensuring they say yes on their RSVP.

Plan a Beautiful Formal Wedding 

Your wedding day will be one of the most special days of your life. Each element, from the table setting to the wedding stationery to the wedding program should be able to carry out your vision. With over 1,400 wedding invitations to choose from on Greenvelope, you can find and customize an invitation that does just that.

No matter how you choose to design your formal invitations (and other wedding details), be sure to make it your own. For more help with executing your vision, continue browsing our Stationers blog for tips on wedding themes, etiquette, and more!