Wedding Invitation Wording: Examples for Every Function
Wedding invitation wording for every function, from the main card to haldi, mehendi, sangeet and reception, with the classic structure and ready examples to copy.
Wedding invitation wording for every function
Wedding invitation wording has a simple job: tell guests who, what, when and where, in a tone that feels like your family. The classic Indian invitation follows a structure that has worked for generations, and you don't need to reinvent it. Below is that structure, then ready wording for every function of the wedding week. Tap Copy and replace the words in brackets.
The classic structure
- An auspicious opening: a verse, a blessing, or the names of deities, depending on your family's tradition.
- The hosts: who is inviting, usually the parents or the family names.
- The announcement: who is marrying whom.
- The functions: each event with its date, time and venue.
- A warm closing: a line requesting the guest's presence and blessings.
- Practical details: RSVP, a map and sometimes a dress code.
Digital invitations follow the same structure in sections instead of card panels: one section per function, each with its own map.
Opening lines
- ॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥
- With the blessings of our elders and the grace of God,
- With joy in our hearts and the blessings of our families,
- Together with their families,
The wedding ceremony
- With the blessings of our elders, Mr [Father's name] and Mrs [Mother's name] [Surname] request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their daughter [Bride] with [Groom], son of Mr and Mrs [Parents' names], on [Day], [Date] at [Time], [Venue], [City].
- Together with their families, [Bride] and [Groom] invite you to celebrate their wedding on [Date] at [Venue], [City].
- The [Surname] and [Surname] families joyfully invite you to the wedding of [Bride] and [Groom]. Pheras at [Time], followed by lunch.
Haldi
- A morning of turmeric, marigolds and laughter. Join us for [Name]'s haldi on [Date] at [Time], [Venue]. Dress code: yellows and whites.
- Please join us for the haldi ceremony of [Name], a morning of blessings and family, on [Date] at [Time].
Mehendi
- An evening of music, colour and celebration. Join us for [Bride]'s mehendi on [Date], [Time] onwards, at [Venue]. Come dressed in your brightest.
- Henna, dholki and lots of love. You're invited to [Bride]'s mehendi on [Date].
Sangeet
- An evening of songs, dance and friendly family rivalry. Join us for the sangeet of [Bride] and [Groom] on [Date] at [Time], [Venue].
- One night, two families, endless dancing. Sangeet on [Date]. Dinner to follow.
Baraat
- The baraat leaves from [Place] at [Time] on [Date]. Bring your dancing shoes and join the procession!
- Please join the baraat of [Groom], with dhol, dancing and the whole family, at [Time] from [Place].
Reception
- Mr and Mrs [Surname] request the pleasure of your company at a reception in honour of the newly married couple, [Bride] and [Groom], on [Date], [Time] onwards, at [Venue].
- Join us for dinner and celebrations as we welcome the newlyweds, [Bride] and [Groom], on [Date].
Closing lines
- Your presence and blessings will make our celebration complete.
- Kindly RSVP by [Date] using the button in this invite.
- With best compliments from: [Family names]
- No gifts, please. Your blessings are all we wish for.
Matching the tone to the function
Not every function needs the same voice. The wedding card is formal and dignified; the haldi can be joyful; the sangeet can be outright fun. Matching the tone to each function makes the invitation feel considered rather than templated, and tells guests what kind of event they're coming to.
- Formal: the main ceremony and, for many families, the reception.
- Warm: the haldi, the mehendi and family-only rituals.
- Playful: the sangeet, the cocktail and anything mainly for friends.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Burying the date. The date, time and venue should be findable in five seconds. A fancy font that makes the date unreadable defeats the purpose.
- Inconsistent names. Decide once how each name appears and use it identically on the card, the invite and the venue board.
- Forgetting the city. Outstation guests need the city, not just the venue name.
- No RSVP. Every invitation needs a way to reply. A tap-to-RSVP button in a digital invite gets the most replies.
- One tone for everything. Formal for the ceremony, lighter for the functions around it.
Before you send
- Opening line agreed with the elders
- Hosts' names in the order both families agreed
- Every function with its date, time, venue and city
- RSVP method and date
- Proofread by one person from each family
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order of wording on an Indian wedding card?
An auspicious opening, the hosts, the couple, the functions with dates and venues, a closing line, and the RSVP details. Most families follow this order, with small regional variations.
Do I need separate wording for each function?
Not separate cards, but each function should have its own line or section with its own tone. A digital invite makes this easy: one section per function, each with a map.
Should the invitation say "honour" or "pleasure"?
Traditionally, "request the honour of your presence" is used for the religious ceremony, and "request the pleasure of your company" for the reception and parties.
Can the wording be in two languages?
Yes. Many families write the blessing and opening in Hindi or a regional language, and the details in English, so every guest can read them.
Related reading
- RSVP wording examples and templates
- Wedding invitation wording in English
- Wedding invitation wording in Hindi
Create your wedding invitation on MyIndiAura with these exact words, in English, Hindi or both.
See it on a real invite
Open any of these to see the full invite, then add your own names and preview it free.
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