How to word a wedding invitation, with English and Urdu examples

The five things every invitation must say

1. Who is inviting: the host family or families.
2. Who is getting married: the names of the couple.
3. What the event is: Mehndi, Baraat, Nikah, Walima.
4. When: date and time, and if it matters, when guests should arrive.
5. Where: the venue and a map, and how to reply.

Choose a tone

Formal wording suits a large Baraat or Walima: “request the honour of your presence”. Warm and informal wording suits a Dholki or Mayun: “come sing with us”. A Nikah is usually calm and reverent. You can use a different tone for each function, because each can have its own card.

Examples

Formal (Baraat)
Together with their families, Ayesha and Hamza request the honour of your presence at their wedding.

Warm (Dholki)
Come sing with us. Dholki at our home on Tuesday evening. Bring a song and your appetite.

Calm (Nikah)
In the name of Allah, we invite you to witness the Nikah of Maryam and Hassan. Your duas are the best gift.

اردو
اپنے خاندانوں کے ہمراہ آپ کو اپنی شادی کی تقریبات میں شرکت کی دعوت دیتے ہیں۔ آپ کی دعائیں ہمارے لیے سرمایہ ہیں۔

Mistakes to avoid

• Leaving out the time guests should arrive, which is different from the time the event starts.
• Using one card for every function when different people are invited to each.
• Hiding the venue in a photo where it cannot be tapped for directions.
• Writing so formally that nobody can tell what the event is.

Writing in two languages

If you write in Urdu and English, give each the same information, so nobody misses a detail because of the language they read. A digital card can show both and let each guest choose.