As you gear up for one of the biggest celebrations of your life – your Indian wedding – one of the first tasks is to finalise the design and wording for your wedding invitations. These ornate cards are not just a formality, but an extension of your Indian culture and traditions, setting the tone for the grand affair to come.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, here are some essential things to include in your wedding invitation wording to make it truly memorable and meaningful:
The Host Line
Traditionally in Indian weddings, the bride’s parents are considered the hosts and their names are prominently displayed on the invitation card. However, modern sensibilities allow for both sets of parents to be hosts, especially if they are jointly hosting the wedding.
You could word it as:
“Mr. Rajesh and Mrs. Nisha Sharma
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding of their daughter
Aditi…”
If the couple is hosting their wedding, you can say:
“Together with their families
Aditi and Arjun
invite you to celebrate their union…”
The Names of the Couple
This is undoubtedly the most important part of your invitation wording. For Hindu weddings, it is customary to include the full names of the bride and groom separately. Muslim weddings may include “Bahu” (daughter-in-law) for the bride and “Damad” (son-in-law) for the groom along with their names.
In some communities, the bride’s name precedes the groom’s, while in others it is the opposite. For same-faith marriages, you could choose to go alphabetically or based on what sounds better.
The Wedding Date and Timing
While numerical dates are acceptable, spelling out the date – “Twenty-second of December Two Thousand Twenty-Three” – lends an elegant traditional touch. Indian weddings often span multiple events over several days, so include “Ceremony Timings” with all the relevant dates and muhurtams (auspicious timings).
For Hindu weddings, you may include the Sanskrit saying “Sarvanaaman Samvatsare” indicating the Hindu year based on planetary positions. Muslim weddings could incorporate Arabic year details like “Saturday, 5th Jumadal Awwal 1444 Hijri.”
The Venue Details
Be very specific with the venue name and full address including area, city and state. If your wedding is a destination or out-of-town, mention details like “Weddings by the Beach, Goa” or “Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.” For venues in major metros, the area detail suffices.
For multiple venues, you could list them as:
“Wedding Ceremony: ISKCON Temple
Ardhavivaah & Reception: ITC Maurya”
Indian weddings often have venue changes between ceremonies, so clearly demarcate each function and its location.
Reception Details
If the reception is at the same venue, simply state “Dinner & Celebrations to Follow.” For a separate location, include full details. You could say “Please join us for dinner & dancing at 7:30 pm” with the venue name.
Dress Code
While Indian weddings inherently call for ethnic/traditional wear, it’s still a good idea to provide some guidance on the dress code. For instance, “Contemporary Indian Festive Attire,” “Ethnic Black Tie Event” or “Black Tie: Sherwani/Saree” could work well.
RSVP Instructions
In addition to a separate RSVP/Response card, mention details like:
“Kindly RSVP by 30th November XXXX at www.yourwebsite[dot]com”
or include a phone number and/or email ID to RSVP.
Personal Touches
Once you’ve finalised the Indian wedding invitation design and covered all the essential wording details, add personal touches that make it truly your own. A favourite poem, life mantra or even a fingerprint design can elevate your cards into cherished heirlooms.
Remember, Indian wedding invitations are more than just paper – they are artistic mementos to be treasured for generations. So invest time in conceptualising both the design and wording to make it a true representation of your love story against the backdrop of India’s rich culture.
For example:
“Two hearts, one soul
On this joyous day, we unite as one”
Aditi & Arjun
You could also include a short invitation note like “We hope you will join us in our celebration of love, laughter and new beginnings.”
Final Words
Remember, Indian wedding invitations are more than just cards – they are heirlooms to be treasured for generations. Put thought into the wording to make it a true representation of your love story and culture. After all, it sets the stage for a grand beginning to your happily ever after!