A Simple Guide to Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

Your wedding invite isn’t just sharing the where; the when—it’s the first impression your guests have of their overall celebration. From a backyard cookout to a beach ceremony, the tone of your invite shapes expectations. So, if the vibe you’re aiming for is more relaxed and casual, your language should match that spirit.

“The act of writing down that casual gesture of inviting someone to a wedding is like saying, ‘Hey, this is our special day, and you’re part of it — but feel free to bypass tuxes if it’s not your thing,’” says the event planner Riley Monroe. “The aim is to sound warm, clear and 100 percent ‘you. ” Informal weddings frequently defy tradition, so your invitation should, too — personal, straightforward and so distinctly you.

Here to inspire you with just the right words, Monroe and stationery studio Pine & Paper founder Taylor Kim share their best tips for relaxed wedding invitations — with an impact.

What to Include in an Informal Wedding Invitation

The stiff language doesn’t match the informal taste of the wedding — and it doesn’t sound like you, either. Especially for the top — that’s the tone, right off the bat. Rather than ‘You are cordially invited,’ say something like, ‘We’re getting hitched! “Come and join us in celebrating,’” Monroe recommends.

Formal titles? You can drop them. “Just your first names are fine, something like ‘Join Sam and Jordan for a day of love and laughter,’” she says.

As for the practical details — when, where — keep the tone friendly. For example: “Join us at the lake, Saturday, June 22 at 4PM. Food, music, and fun to follow!” It’s okay to be breezy. You might also fan the flames with an informal note pointing people to a wedding website: “Get all the specifics on samandjordan2025. com.”

How to Write a Casual Invitation

Casual invitations can be an opportunity to let your personality show. Kim advises couples to insert personal details: “If you come from a music background, perhaps using a lyric you both love. If you like hiking, mention the trail you’ve visited. It’s your story — tell it how you want.”

Humor works too. “If puns are your game, play on,” says Monroe. “Say something like, ‘We finally decided to make it official — come for laughs, love, and maybe a few awkward dance moves (or, you know, don’t). ”

No matter how laid-back the day, don’t skip out on key information—such as venue type, dress code suggestions or anything else guests will need to know. “If you’re doing a garden party, tell them: You’re going to be on grass,” Monroe says. “A line even like ‘Dress for sunshine and lawn games!’ helps guests prepare.”