Words
Wedding invitation wording for every ceremony
The wedding card has centuries of formula behind it. The haldi and the sangeet do not, which is why their invitations are usually the hardest to write. Here are lines for each, to copy or change.
The opening
- Formal, families hosting: With the blessings of our elders, Mr and Mrs Rajesh Kulkarni and Mr and Mrs Anil Deshpande request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children, Meera and Arjun.
- Formal, with a blessing first: ॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥ With the blessings of Lord Ganesha and of our families, we invite you to celebrate the wedding of Meera and Arjun.
- The couple hosting: Meera and Arjun are getting married, and it would not be the same without you.
- Warm and simple: Together with our families, we invite you to celebrate with us.
Haldi
- Come and turn us yellow. Haldi, Friday 12 December, 10 am, at home in Kothrud.
- The haldi ceremony of Meera, on 12 December at 10 in the morning. Wear something you do not mind getting yellow.
- Please join us for the haldi, with blessings, turmeric and far too much laughter.
Mehendi
- An afternoon of henna, music and chai. Mehendi, Friday 12 December, from 3 pm.
- Join us for Meera's mehendi. The darker the colour, the more the groom's family loves her, so please bring your blessings.
- Mehendi and music, 12 December, 4 pm onwards. Come early if you want yours done too.
Sangeet
- Two families, one dance floor. Sangeet, Saturday 13 December, 7 pm, The Courtyard.
- You are invited to the sangeet of Meera and Arjun. Practise your steps: the families are competing.
- An evening of music and dance before the big day. Sangeet, 13 December, 7 pm onwards.
The wedding
- The wedding of Meera and Arjun, Sunday 14 December 2026, muhurat 11:42 am, at Shubh Mangal Karyalay, Pune.
- We request your gracious presence to bless the couple as they begin their life together. Lagna, 14 December, 11:42 am.
- The pheras will be at 7:15 pm on 14 December. Please be seated by 7, the pandit is famously punctual.
Reception
- Dinner and celebration in honour of the newly married Meera and Arjun. Reception, 14 December, 8 pm onwards.
- Join us to welcome the newlyweds. Reception, Sunday 14 December, 8 pm, The Westin, Pune.
- After the ceremony, the party. Reception at 8, dinner at 9, dancing until they ask us to leave.
RSVP and the closing line
- Kindly let us know by 30 November which functions you will attend.
- RSVP with one tap on the invitation, so we can plan the food properly.
- With best compliments from the Kulkarni and Deshpande families.
- Your presence is the only gift we ask for.
- Follow along at #MeeraWedsArjun.
Questions? Answers.
Asked by couples (and their parents)
Who is named first on an Indian wedding invitation?
On a traditional card, the hosting family's elders come first, then the couple. In many communities the bride's family hosts the wedding and the groom's family hosts the reception, and each card names its host first. When the couple hosts, their names lead.
Should every function have its own invitation?
Not necessarily its own card, but its own section or scene, with its own date, time and venue. Many guests are invited to only some functions, so a separate line for each makes it clear who is expected where.
Should the time on the card be the muhurat?
For the wedding itself, many families print the muhurat to the minute and ask guests to arrive half an hour earlier. For the other functions, a round time is fine.
In the Studio, the wording is written from your own answers, and you can change any of it.