Good wedding invitation wording tells guests who is inviting them, to what, when & where, in a tone that suits your families. For Nigerian & African weddings, invitations are often issued by the families rather than the couple, & many include lines on aso-ebi colours, RSVP & entry. Below are ready-to-adapt examples for each situation, using placeholder names.
Before you choose, agree with both families who is hosting each event & how names & titles should appear. Customs differ by family, culture, faith & generation, so treat these examples as starting points & confirm the details with your parents or elders.
The building blocks of invitation wording
Most invitations follow the same order:
- Who is inviting: the families, the parents or the couple
- The request, such as "request the pleasure of your company"
- The occasion & the couple's names
- The date, time & venue
- The reception or any follow-on events
- Practical lines: dress code, colours, RSVP & entry
Traditional etiquette uses "request the honour of your presence" for a religious ceremony & "request the pleasure of your company" for a reception, though many invitations use either. Many Nigerian invitations also open with a line of faith, such as "By the grace of God" or "With gratitude to Almighty Allah". Use the wording your families are comfortable with.
Keep titles consistent. If one father is styled "Chief", "Dr" or "Alhaji", check how the other family would like to be styled, so both sides feel equally honoured.
Wording from both families
Formal, from both families
Example: The families of Mr & Mrs [Surname] of [Town] & Mr & Mrs [Surname] of [Town] joyfully request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children, [Bride's first name] & [Groom's first name], on Saturday [date] at [time], at [venue], [city]. Reception follows at [venue].
Warm, with the families
Example: Together with their families, [Bride's name] & [Groom's name] invite you to celebrate their marriage on [date] at [venue], [city].
When a parent has passed away
Example: Mrs [Full name] & the family of the late Mr [Full name] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, [Bride's name], to [Groom's name], son of Mr & Mrs [Surname].
Handle this gently, & ask the family how they wish the late parent to be named.
Nikah, from both families
Example: With gratitude to Almighty Allah, the families of [Title] [Surname] & [Title] [Surname] invite you to the Nikah of their children, [Bride's name] & [Groom's name], on [date] at [time], at [mosque or venue], [city]. Walimah follows at [venue].
Wording for a nikah varies by family & community, so ask your families or imam how they would like it phrased.
Wording from the couple
Some couples, especially those hosting themselves, invite guests directly. It is still courteous to talk to your parents first.
Formal, from the couple
Example: [Bride's name] & [Groom's name] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding on [date] at [time], at [venue], [city].
Relaxed, from the couple
Example: We're getting married! Join [Bride's name] & [Groom's name] for a day of love, food & dancing on [date] at [venue], [city].
If you are hosting but your parents are contributing, "Together with their families" is a graceful middle ground that honours both.
Traditional wedding & white wedding on one invitation
If you are hosting a traditional wedding & a church or registry wedding, you can use one invitation that lists both events, or send separate cards for each.
Example, combined: The families of Mr & Mrs [Surname] & Mr & Mrs [Surname] cordially invite you to the marriage celebrations of [Bride's name] & [Groom's name].
- Traditional wedding: Friday [date], [time], at [venue or family home], [town]
- Church wedding: Saturday [date], [time], at [church], [city]
- Reception: immediately after, at [venue]
In many cultures the traditional ceremony is hosted by the bride's family, so it may be fitting for that wording to come from her parents. Ask the families what they prefer. Our guide to planning a traditional & white wedding covers the order of events.
Introduction ceremony wording
An introduction is usually more intimate, & many families invite guests by phone or in person. If you do send a card or message, keep it simple.
Example: The family of Mr & Mrs [Surname] invite you to the introduction of their daughter, [Bride's name], to the family of Mr & Mrs [Surname], on [date] at [time], at [venue or family home], [town].
Customs around introductions vary widely, so check with both families who should be invited & how. Our introduction ceremony guide explains more.
Strictly by invitation, RSVP & aso-ebi lines
Strictly by invitation
- Strictly by invitation.
- This invitation admits one.
- Admits two. Entry by personal pass only.
- Kindly note that this is an adults-only celebration.
RSVP lines
- Kindly RSVP by [date] at [website link].
- Please confirm your attendance by [date] to [Name] on WhatsApp.
- RSVP by [date]: [Name], for the bride's family, or [Name], for the groom's family.
Aso-ebi & colours
- Colours of the day: [colour] & [colour].
- Aso-ebi: [colour] for friends of the bride & [colour] for friends of the groom. To order, contact [Name] by [date].
- Guests are kindly invited to wear [colour] or [colour].
Gifts
- Your presence is our greatest gift. If you wish to bless us, details are on our website.
If you are sending invitations digitally, put the short version on the image & the rest on your website. Our post on digital wedding invitations explains how to pair the two.
Tips for getting the wording right
- Read every name aloud with each family before anything is printed.
- Check the spelling of names in every language you use.
- Use the same date format throughout, & check the day of the week matches the date.
- Spell each venue's name the way the venue spells it.
- Keep the design uncluttered: longer details can live on your website.
- Proofread once more, then ask someone else to proofread.
If you would like your invitations designed & printed in one look with the rest of your wedding, our Wedding Branding service designs printed & digital invitations, & nothing goes to print until you approve it.
Questions people ask
Who should be named first on a Nigerian wedding invitation?
The bride's family is often named first, particularly for the traditional wedding, which in many cultures is hosted by her family. For a church or joint celebration, families may choose differently. There is no single rule, so agree on the order with both families before anything is printed or shared.
How do I word ‘strictly by invitation’ politely?
Keep it short & kind: 'Strictly by invitation' or 'This invitation admits one' is enough. You can soften it on your website with a note that numbers are limited by the venue. Pair the line with an RSVP & personal entry passes, so the message is backed by a clear process.
Should we include the aso-ebi colours on the invitation?
Yes, if you want guests to coordinate. A single line such as 'Colours of the day: emerald & gold' fits on most invitations, while ordering details, deadlines & contacts are better placed on your wedding website or in a separate message to the people buying aso-ebi.
Can the couple invite guests instead of the parents?
Yes. Many couples who are hosting the wedding themselves invite guests directly, sometimes adding 'together with their families' to include both sides. Talk to your parents first, as some families may expect their names on the invitation, especially for the traditional ceremony.
