How do you word a wedding reception invitation?

Formally: the hosting family, "request the pleasure of your company", the couple’s full names, the date and time written out, and the venue with its address.

Who hosts the reception?

Conventionally the groom’s family after a wedding hosted by the bride’s, though joint hosting and two receptions in two cities are both common now.

Can the reception have a separate guest list?

Yes, and usually it does. Many families send a reception-only invitation to colleagues and acquaintances and the full multi-event invitation to relatives.

Wedding reception invitation wording

The formal one, with the longest guest list and the least room for ambiguity.

The reception card goes to the broadest list — colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances — many of whom have never met the couple. It should therefore be the most conventional wording of the week: full names, a clear host line, a precise time and a complete address.

"Request the pleasure of your company" is the standard register. Save the warmth for the mehendi.

Samples

Formal, groom’s family hostingEnglish

Mr. & Mrs. Rajesh Verma
request the pleasure of your company
at a reception in honour of

Ananya & Arjun

Monday, the 23rd of November 2026
at 8:00 PM

The Royal Palms, Jaipur

ContemporaryEnglish

We are married!

Ananya & Arjun invite you to celebrate
with dinner and dancing

Monday, 23 November 2026 · 8:00 PM
The Royal Palms, Jaipur

Black tie or Indian formal.

Hindiहिन्दी

स्वागत समारोह

श्री राजेश वर्मा एवं श्रीमती सुनीता वर्मा
सादर आमंत्रित करते हैं

अनन्या एवं अर्जुन के स्वागत समारोह में

सोमवार, 23 नवम्बर 2026 · रात्रि 8 बजे
रॉयल पाम्स, जयपुर

Copy any of these and change the names. Nothing here is reserved to our customers.

Getting it right

Use full names. The reception list includes people who know one of you professionally.
Name the hosting family clearly — guests read it as who is welcoming them.
Write the venue address in full, with the city.
Dress codes are followed at receptions more than at any other function. Include one.

Questions

How do you word a wedding reception invitation?: Formally: the hosting family, "request the pleasure of your company", the couple’s full names, the date and time written out, and the venue with its address.
Who hosts the reception?: Conventionally the groom’s family after a wedding hosted by the bride’s, though joint hosting and two receptions in two cities are both common now.
Can the reception have a separate guest list?: Yes, and usually it does. Many families send a reception-only invitation to colleagues and acquaintances and the full multi-event invitation to relatives.