Home > Ideas > Wedding Invitation Wording > Adults Only and Attire Examples
Weddings today are as unique as the couples getting married. Brides and grooms get to express themselves in all sorts of ways, from celebrating with friends and family after they’ve said “I do” to throwing a masquerade themed ball at which guests are encouraged to wear masks and costumes. You might have two reception locations or want to make sure your guests know that tuxedos are required. While these specific details make your wedding special and unique, they can also give you more to say in the wording for your invitations.
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The personalized details of your upcoming wedding, whether an adults-only affair or special attire required, can be communicated in your unique wedding invitation.
If you want to convey special instructions to your guests about your wedding day, a wedding invitation and enclosure card dedicated to special instructions may be the best way to do it.
Wedding Planning Tip: Take time to research certain wedding-related terminology before you write your invitations. For example, Los Angeles-based Event Designer and Planner Christine Zohrabians of Fancy That Events has seen couples mix up the meaning of a black tie event and formal attire.
“It’s important to understand the difference between a black tie event and formal attire,” says Christine. “I’ve seen so many couples who list the dress code as a black tie event when they really mean formal attire. The few guests who understand the difference show up in tuxedos and gowns and end up looking out of place.”
Before writing invitations, Christine suggests reading up on wedding lingo and definitions as well as checking the spelling of names and places.
Once you’re certain about what you want to say in the invitation, here’s how to string them together to communicate your wishes and follow the rules of etiquette. Make sure to match the special instructions with the style of wedding you plan to have.
Wedding Invitation Wording for an Already Married Couple
If you tied the knot with a small, private ceremony and would like to celebrate with your friends and family, then this is the invitation wording you can use to invite your guests to the reception. You may even be celebrating your marriage with two different receptions and in that case we have you covered, too.
Casual wording example:
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
invite you to recognize their marriage
June 17, 2023 11:00 AM
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Dinner and dancing to follow
Formal example of wording for the married couple:
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
request your presence in recognizing their marriage
Saturday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Reception to follow
Religious wording example for the already-married couple:
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
Invite you to recognize their union in the eyes of Christ
Saturday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Reception to follow
Example of funny wording:
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
tied the knot and need your help celebrating
Saturday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
dinner and dancing and open bar to follow
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Wording Etiquette for Adults-Only Wedding or Reception
If you tied the knot with a small, private ceremony and would like to celebrate with your friends and family, then use an enclosure card or special invitation wording to invite your guests to the reception.
Yourwedding guest list is up to youand if you don’t want children at the ceremony or the reception, you can make a special request. Often times, this special request is simply the easiest way to reduce the guest list and accommodate your budget.
While it’s not quite appropriate to write “adults only” or “no children” on the invitation itself, you can hint at your request when you mention the ceremony or reception location. It’s also appropriate to include the special wording on the RSVP cards or the enclosure cards.
“I usually encourage my couples to write “Adults Only Reception” on the RSVP cards or the enclosure cards,” says Christine.
If you don’t plan to have an enclosure card sent along with your invitation, here is the proper wording for wedding Invitations that let your guests know your event is going to be an adults-only affair:
Casual wording sample for an adults-only wedding affair:
Christina Marshall and Randy Howe
request your presence at their marriage
June 17, 2023 11:00 AM
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA
Celebrate with us at an adults-only reception to follow
Formal example of invitation wording for an adults-only wedding:
Christina Marshall and Randy Howe
request the honor of your company at their marriage
Saturday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Adult-only affair to follow
Religious wording example for an adult reception:
Desiring God’s will for their lives and believing that includes each other
Christina Marshall and Randy Howe
invite you to share their joy as they are united in the Lord Jesus Christ
Saturday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Adult-only affair to follow
Funny example of wording for an adults-only wedding reception:
Christina Marshall and Randy Howe
are getting hitched and request your presence
June 17, 2023 11:00 AM
San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, Ca
Adult reception to follow and an open bar
Wedding Attire Wording
Usually the location of your wedding is a good indication of the dress code for your big day. But there are times when you want your guests to know the exact formality of your wedding day. Whether you’re throwing a black tie event or a casual backyard reception, the perfect place for this important information is on an enclosure card with your reception details.
“It’s important to understand the difference between a black tie event and formal attire,” says wedding planner Christine Zohrabians. “I’ve seen so many couples who list the dress code as a black tie event when they really mean formal attire.”
“If your wedding has a specific theme and you want your guests to dress up accordingly, it’s best to dedicate an enclosure card with this information, says Christine. “Make it fun by announcing the theme with a short story or riddle and encourage guests to participate.”
Add one of the attire options below to your enclosure card! Say it in a traditional style or a fun and more casual style to complete your unique wedding invitation wording.
Traditional wedding attire wording:
- Black tie(tuxedos and formal gowns)
- Formal, black tie optional(suit and tie and dresses)
- Semi-formal(suit and tie and co*cktail dresses)
- co*cktail attire (suits and party dresses)
- Beach or garden party attire(summer suits and summer dresses)
- Casual(button down shirts or polos and summer sundresses or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse)
Fun and unique wedding attire wording samples:
- Dress to impress
- Dress: No suits or tuxes required!
- Semi-formal
- Country chic
- Dress: white
Shutterfly Wedding Invitations
Shutterfly makes it possible for you “to have and to hold” personalized wedding invitations that reflect the style of your special day. You can design your own wedding invitations with unique wording using the appropriate theme, styles and color palette. Get started on creating your wedding invitations now and send them off in plenty of time.
5 Free Samples
One of the best ways to see if you’re a Shutterfly bride or groom is to see and feel our wedding invitations printed with your details. It’s free to order five samples, the perfect starting point if you’re comparing designs and options.
