Layout for Wedding Invitations: What Goes Where (With Examples)

So, you've decided to forgo a wedding template to design your own unique, one-of-a-kind wedding invitation. As you start compiling information like ceremony time and dress code, you might find yourself staring at a blank page wondering: what actually goes where?

You've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll walk through the standard wedding invitation layout from top to bottom, show you sample formats, and cover the etiquette questions that trip people up. 

What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation

Before we get into layout specifics, let's make sure you have all the essential pieces. Here's what belongs on a wedding invitation:

• Host line: Who's hosting (or paying for) the wedding? For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" indicates the bride's parents are the hosts.

• Request line: A cordial invitation to your guests ("request the pleasure of your company" or something more casual).

• Names: The couple's names; traditionally, the bride's name comes first.

• Date and time: Don't let your guests miss the moment.

• Location: Include the venue name and full address.

• Reception information: If it's at a different venue, mention "Reception to follow at [Venue Name and Address]."

• Dress code: Guide your guests on what to wear.

• RSVP instructions: How and when guests should confirm their attendance.

Standard Wedding Invitation Layout (Top to Bottom)

This is the format of a wedding invitation that's stood the test of time. When in doubt, follow this order, since it's what guests expect and ensures nothing important gets buried:

1. Host line (who's inviting)

2. Request line (the invitation itself)

3. Couple's names (the stars of the show)

4. Date and time (when to show up)

5. Ceremony location (where to go)

6. Reception details (if different from ceremony)

7. Dress code (what to wear)

8. RSVP instructions (how to respond)

Notice the logic here: the dress code comes before the RSVP because guests need that information to decide whether they can attend. The RSVP always goes last, as it's the call to action.

Sample Wedding Invitation Layout (Example)

Seeing it all together helps. Here's what a traditional wedding invitation layout looks like in practice:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Rose Smith

to

Michael James Johnson

Saturday, the fifth of October

two thousand twenty-six

at four o'clock in the afternoon

The Grand Ballroom

123 Garden Lane, Denver, Colorado

Reception to follow

Black tie optional

Kindly respond by September first

emilyandjames2026.com

And here's a more modern, casual version:

Emily & James

are getting married!

October 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM

The Grand Ballroom | Denver, CO

Dinner and dancing to follow

Cocktail attire

RSVP at emilyandjames2026.com

Both formats include all the essential information, just with different tones and levels of formality.

How Do You Lay Out a Wedding Invitation?

Beyond the order of information, the visual layout matters too. Your wedding invitation should balance aesthetics with clarity; guests shouldn't have to hunt for the date or squint at the address.

Wedding Invitation Layout Tips

• Center alignment: Traditionally, the most important information (the couple's names) is centered. This draws the eye naturally.

• Hierarchy with font size: Make the names and date the largest elements. Supporting details like address and RSVP can be smaller.

• Design elements: Consider borders, flourishes, or motifs that align with your wedding theme, but don't let them compete with the text.

• White space is your friend: Resist the urge to fill every inch. Generous margins and spacing between sections make everything more readable.

• Separate RSVP card: If you're including one, add a brief line on the main invitation like "RSVP by [Date] using the enclosed card."

One-Card Invitations vs Full Invitation Suites

Not every wedding needs a multi-piece invitation suite. Here's how to decide what works for your situation.

When a Single Card Works

A one-card invitation is perfect when your wedding is straightforward: ceremony and reception at the same venue, no complicated travel logistics, and you're directing guests to a website for additional details. You can fit everything essential on one elegant card without it feeling cramped.

When to Add More Pieces

Consider a fuller invitation suite when you need to communicate more complex information. Common additions include:

• RSVP card: Makes responding easy and ensures you get the information you need (meal choices, plus-one names).

• Details card: Perfect for accommodations, transportation, weekend events, or anything that won't fit on the main invitation.

• Wedding website card: A simple card with your URL keeps the main invitation clean while pointing guests to more information.

The key is keeping your main invitation focused on the essentials and offloading logistics to supplementary pieces or your wedding website.

Modern Wedding Invitation Layout Ideas

Wedding invitation design has evolved, and there's more room for creativity than ever. Here are some layout variations that work beautifully in 2026.

Minimalist Layouts

Clean lines, lots of white space, and a focus on typography. Minimalist invitations often skip decorative elements entirely, letting beautiful paper and thoughtful font choices do the work. These pair especially well with modern venues and smaller weddings.

Asymmetrical Layouts

Instead of traditional centered text, asymmetrical designs might left-align the main content or use creative positioning to create visual interest. Just make sure the important details are still easy to find; artistic doesn't have to mean confusing.

Digital-First Layouts

More couples are including QR codes that link directly to their wedding website. If you're going this route, place the QR code at the bottom of the invitation where it won't compete with the main content. A small "Scan for details" label helps guests who aren't QR-code-savvy.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Common Questions

Navigating the etiquette side of wedding invitations can feel like a minefield. Here are the questions I get asked most often.

Name Order on Wedding Invitations

The standard order is: hosts' names, couple's names, date and time, then venue. If parents are hosting, their names come first. If the couple is hosting themselves, you can combine the first two lines into something like "Emily Smith and Michael Johnson invite you to their wedding."

Who Goes First: Bride or Groom?

Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, especially if the bride's parents are hosting. But modern invitations often place names in alphabetical order, or simply however the couple prefers. For same-sex couples, alphabetical order or personal preference both work well.

Including Parents' Names

If both sets of parents are contributing financially, it's thoughtful to include both names. You can list them as "Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson request the pleasure of your company..." Alternatively, many modern invitations skip parent names entirely and feature just the couple, especially if the couple is hosting themselves.

How to Indicate Plus-Ones

Plus-one information belongs on the outer envelope, not the invitation itself. Address the envelope to "Ms. Jane Doe and Guest" to indicate a plus-one is welcome. If you're not offering plus-ones, address it only to the invited guest's name.

Where Registries Should (and Shouldn't) Appear

Here's a firm rule: registry information does not belong on the wedding invitation. It's considered a bit tacky, like asking for gifts. Instead, add registry details to your wedding website, or let word of mouth do the work. Guests who want to give a gift will find a way to ask.

Ready, Set, Design

Go ahead and bookmark this guide for reference, but remember: there are no hard and fast rules. It's your day, and your invitation should reflect your personality and your celebration.

If your layout starts to feel crowded with logistics, many couples move details like parking directions, accommodation blocks, and schedule information to their wedding website or use text-based tools like Daisy Chat to handle guest questions as they come up.