What to write on an Indian wedding invitation

Designs for this

The order families expect

Whatever the design, the sequence is what makes an invitation read as correct. Get this right and almost any wording works.

• The invocation. Shri Ganeshaya Namah, Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem, Ik Onkar Satnam, or a line from scripture.
• Who is inviting. Traditionally the parents, sometimes in the name of a grandparent who has passed.
• The couple, with the relationship stated. Daughter of, son of.
• The events, each with its own day, time and venue.
• The request for presence, and the request for a reply.

Formal wording you can copy

For a traditional card, in English.

• Together with their families, Priya and Rajesh request the honour of your presence at their wedding.
• Mr and Mrs Suresh Sharma request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter Priya to Rajesh, son of Mr and Mrs Anil Kumar.
• With the blessings of our elders, we invite you to share in our joy.

Warmer wording, for the people you actually talk to

Most families now send two versions of the same invitation. This is the second one.

• We are getting married, and it would not be the same without you.
• Come eat, dance and cry a little with us.
• Two families, one very long weekend. Please join us.

The RSVP line, which most cards get wrong

A printed card usually says RSVP followed by two phone numbers, which produces a hundred calls to an uncle who is at work.

On a link, the reply is a button inside the invitation. The line to write is simply: please let us know if you can join us, so we can keep a seat.

Common questions