Most wedding website wording goes wrong in one of two ways: it says too little ("Details TBC") or far too much (a three-page love story before the venue address). The examples below are written to be short enough for the text fields of most website builders. On our own websites, for example, the Our Story intro is up to 200 characters and each photo caption up to 60.
Every section has examples in three tones. Choose the one that sounds like you and use it throughout; mixing a formal welcome with a jokey FAQ feels odd to guests.
- Classic: polished and traditional.
- Warm: friendly and personal.
- Playful: light, with a smile, never at a guest's expense.
Welcome message
The welcome sits on the home page. Say hello, say you are glad, and point to what guests need.
| Tone | Example |
|---|---|
| Classic | Together with our families, we invite you to celebrate our marriage. Everything you need for the day is on the Details page. |
| Warm | We're so happy you're here. You'll find the plan for the day on the Details page, and you can reply on the RSVP page by May 15. |
| Playful | Welcome! You've found the official source of truth for our wedding. Snacks not included; details very much included. |
| Warm, short | Thank you for being part of our story. We can't wait to celebrate with you. |
Our story intro and photo captions
The intro is one or two sentences. Captions are a few words: a place, a moment, a date.
| Tone | Story intro |
|---|---|
| Classic | Eight years, two cities and one very patient dog led us to this day. |
| Warm | Slow lunches, golden evenings and one walk through the olive grove led us to June 12, 2027. |
| Playful | We met over a burnt pizza at a friend's party. She still cooks; he still orders. |
Caption ideas that fit a short field:
- First hello, Lisbon, 2019
- The proposal, on the walk we always take
- Our first home (and its tiny balcony)
- The day we got Biscuit
- Every Sunday morning, somewhere new
- Where it all began
Schedule labels
Short labels read best on a phone. Put the place in its own field if your website has one.
| Time | Label | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | Ceremony | The Garden Terrace |
| 5:00 PM | Cocktail hour | The Olive Courtyard |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner and toasts | The Grand Hall |
| 8:30 PM | First dance and dancing | The Grand Hall |
| 11:00 PM | Farewell | Main entrance |
If guests arrive before the ceremony, add "Guests arrive" or "Doors open" fifteen to thirty minutes earlier, so nobody turns up exactly on time and misses the start.
Dress code wording
Name the dress code, then add one sentence that tells guests what it means in practice. Definitions vary; the Emily Post Institute's attire guide is a good reference if you are unsure.
| Dress code | What to write |
|---|---|
| Black tie | Black tie: tuxedos and floor-length gowns. |
| Black tie optional | Black tie optional: a tuxedo or a dark suit; a long gown, a cocktail dress or dressy separates. |
| Formal | Formal: dark suits and ties; long dresses or elegant cocktail dresses. |
| Garden formal | Garden formal: suits or dresses in light colors. The ceremony is on grass, so leave the stilettos at home. |
| Cocktail | Cocktail attire: suits, or dresses to the knee or midi length. |
| Smart casual | Smart casual: no ties needed; think summer dinner rather than office. |
Helpful additions, if they apply: "The evening gets cool by the water; bring a layer." · "We'd love to see color; please avoid all white."
Registry wording
Keep it short and grateful, and place it in one section rather than on every page.
| Tone | Example |
|---|---|
| Classic | Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift. For those who have asked, our registry can be found here. |
| Warm | Having you there means the world to us. If you'd like to give a gift, we've put together a small registry. |
| Playful | Your company is the only present we need. If you insist on more, our registry is one tap away. |
| Honeymoon fund | We're saving for our first trip together as a married couple. If you'd like to contribute, you'll find the details here. |
Travel and stay
Practical beats poetic here. Give names, distances and deadlines.
- The nearest airport is Sacramento (SMF), about 75 minutes by car.
- We've reserved rooms at The Vineyard Inn until April 1. Mention our names when you book.
- Free parking is available at the venue. A shuttle leaves the hotel at 3:15 PM and returns at 11:15 PM.
- The ceremony is a 10-minute walk from the town center; the path is gravel and slightly uphill.
- If you need help with accessible seating or transport, let us know when you reply.
RSVP wording
The RSVP line should include the deadline, written out. The decline option should be as kind as the accept option.
| Tone | Reply line | Accept | Decline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Kindly reply by May 15, 2027. | Joyfully accepts | Regretfully declines |
| Warm | Please let us know by May 15 if you can join us. | Can't wait to be there | Will celebrate from afar |
| Playful | Reply by May 15, or we'll assume you're bringing the cake. | Wouldn't miss it | Sadly can't make it |
Questions you might add to the form, with clear wording:
- Meal choice: Chicken · Fish · Vegetarian
- Any allergies or dietary needs we should know about?
- Which song will get you on the dance floor?
- Will you join us on the shuttle from the hotel? Yes · No
Questions and answers
Answer the question first, then add one helpful detail.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I bring a guest? | We've included everyone we can on your invitation. Thank you for understanding. |
| Are children welcome? | We love your little ones, but this will be an adults-only celebration. We hope you enjoy a night off! |
| Are children welcome? (yes) | Absolutely. Let us know their ages when you reply so we can plan seats and meals. |
| What if it rains? | The ceremony moves under the covered terrace; everything else is indoors. |
| Is there parking? | Yes, free parking is available at the venue, with accessible spaces by the entrance. |
| Can I take photos during the ceremony? | We're having an unplugged ceremony. Please keep phones away; our photographer has it covered. |
| When should I arrive? | Please arrive by 3:45 PM; the ceremony starts at 4:00 PM. |
A note on consistency
Whatever you write, keep the facts identical everywhere: the same time on the website, the invitation and every message; the same spelling of the venue; the same reply-by date. Our checklist of what to put on your website helps you check that nothing is missing, and the step-by-step guide shows where each piece goes. If you use one of our wedding website designs, the editing panel shows a character count on fields with a length limit; the features page lists what you can edit.
FAQ
How long should our wedding website story be?
One or two sentences for the intro and a few words per photo is enough. Guests read the story for warmth, not for detail, and most read it on a phone. If you have a longer story, tell it in a toast instead.
How do we politely say no plus-ones?
Keep it short and gracious: "We've included everyone we can on your invitation. Thank you for understanding." Avoid explaining the budget; the invitation itself shows who is invited.
Should the wording on the website match the invitation?
The facts must match exactly. The tone can be a little more relaxed online, because the website also carries practical details, but it should still sound like the same couple.
What is a good RSVP deadline wording?
Write the date in words and keep it simple: "Kindly reply by May 15, 2027." On a website, add one line about what you need, such as a meal choice, so guests answer everything at once.