By Mustafa Bilgic · Last updated 20 June 2026
What to Include in a Wedding Invitation
A wedding invitation has one job: tell guests who's getting married, and when and where to show up. Here is exactly what belongs on the main card, what to move to an insert, and what to leave off entirely.
The 6 essentials (the main card)
| Element | What it tells guests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Host line | Who is inviting them | Together with their families |
| 2. Couple's names | Who is getting married | Olivia Carter & James Bennett |
| 3. Request line | The invitation itself | invite you to celebrate their marriage |
| 4. Date & time | When to come | Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 4:30 pm |
| 5. Venue & location | Where to go | The Rosewood Garden, Charleston, SC |
| 6. Reception / RSVP | What follows & how to reply | Reception to follow · RSVP by Aug 1 |
If your card has these six, it's complete. Anyone can read it and know what to do. For the exact phrasing of each line, see the wedding invitation wording guide.
What goes on an insert (not the main card)
Extra logistics clutter the invitation and shorten its shelf life. Move these to a separate insert card or your wedding website:
- RSVP / response card — a reply card with a deadline, or a website link.
- Details card — directions, parking, accommodation blocks, transport.
- Dress code — beyond a one-word note like "Black tie."
- Weekend schedule — welcome drinks, brunch, after-party.
- Registry & website — the URL is fine on an insert; registry details never go on the invitation.
What to leave off entirely
- Registry or gift wording. Listing where you're registered on the invitation is considered impolite; put it on your website and let it spread by word of mouth.
- "No children" or "adults only." Convey this through how you address the envelope and on your website, not on the card face.
- Long directions. A city and state is enough on the card; put driving directions on a details insert or website.
Optional touches that are fine
A few extras are acceptable on the main card if you have room and the style suits it: a one-word dress code ("Black tie," "Cocktail"), a brief "Adults-only celebration" line if you really must, or a single website URL. Keep it to one short line so the invitation stays clean.
A simple test
Read your draft and ask: "Does a guest need this to attend the ceremony?" Date, time, place — yes. Brunch on Sunday — no, that's an insert. Keeping the main card to the six essentials makes it more elegant and easier to read.
Build your invitation with the six essentials
The editor's templates already lay out all six lines — just type your details over them and download a print-ready PNG. Free, no sign-up, no watermark.
Open the free editor →Frequently asked questions
What are the six things every wedding invitation needs?
The host line, the couple's names, the request to attend, the date and time, the venue and location, and a reception or RSVP line. If your card has these six, it's complete.
Should the registry go on the wedding invitation?
No. Listing your registry on the invitation is considered impolite. Put registry details on your wedding website and let guests find them there or by word of mouth.
Where do dress code and directions go?
A one-word dress code like 'Black tie' can sit discreetly on the main card, but anything longer — directions, parking, accommodation, full dress notes — belongs on a separate insert card or your website.
Do I need the year on the invitation?
It's recommended for clarity, especially if the invitation goes out far in advance. Formal invitations spell the year out; casual ones can include it as a numeral on the date line.
How do I show a wedding is adults-only?
Through how you address the envelopes (listing only the adults) and a note on your wedding website — not on the invitation card itself, which reads as abrupt.
Related: the free editor · Wedding invitation wording · Invitation checklist · Insert cards · RSVP card wording · Proofreading checklist · The stationery suite