Additional credits listed at the end
Planning a beach wedding and not sure what to say? Here’s a crash course on wedding invitation wording that’s specific to your by-the-sea plans. Whether your event is a tropical destination wedding or a low-key affair down by the shore, this advice will help demystify how to word your wedding invitations.
How to word wedding invitations for a beach ceremony
How to word wedding invitations for a beach ceremony doesn’t change all that much from the basics of how to word any traditional wedding invitation. You’ll want to include the main details of who’s hosting, who it’s for, when it is and where to go. You may want to also include dress code guidelines on the invitation since typical beach attire might not be appropriate.
The basics of what to include on a wedding invitation are:
- Who’s hosting?
- Who’s it for?
- What is it?
- When?
- And where?
Examples of beach wedding invitation wording
Here’s an example of how to word a traditional wedding invitation hosted by both families on a local beach.
Together with their families
Jaime Hoerbelt and Michael Coast
request the honor of your presence at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, the fifth of June, two thousand twenty-three
five o’clock in the afternoon
Del Monte Beach
Monterey, CA
Reception to follow at the Monterey Peninsula Club Beach House
Dressy casual
As you can see from the above, the wording includes that both families are hosting the wedding, the name of the couple, an invitation to the celebration, date, time, location, information about the reception and the dress code.
Here’s another example with more informal wording:
Jaime Hoerbelt and Michael Coast
joyously invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, June 5th 5:00 pm
Del Monte Beach
Monterey, CA
Dinner and dancing to follow at the Monterey Peninsula Club Beach House
Beach chic – Sensible shoes for the sand recommended
In this example, the couple, themselves are hosting the wedding, and it includes the invitation, date, time, location of the ceremony and reception and the dress code. I elaborated a bit on the dress code here to let guests know they should be prepared for sand in their toes if they choose heels!
Keep reading for more examples of how to word your beach wedding invitations.
Important items to tell guests at a beach wedding
As I mentioned above in the example about beach dress code, there are some items you’ll want to include with your wedding invitation suite or on your wedding website that are not always included for other types of weddings.
- Dress code – mention the level of dress code required (e.g. beach formal) and if the ceremony is on the beach you might want to recommend sensible shoes so your guests leave the stilettos at home
- Ceremony location – this is usually outlined on any invitation but make sure it’s clear that the ceremony is on the beach and where on the beach if it’s a large one
- Reception location – make sure you let your guests know where the reception is, what time they can show up there, and if there’s transportation provided. “Reception to follow” is not enough information unless the reception is on the same beach immediately after the ceremony, which is unlikely with a beach wedding.
- Parking information – Where can guests park? Is there a fee? Can they leave cars overnight? Will there be transportation provided? All good questions to answer in an FAQ section on your wedding website.
- Beach restrictions – Weddings tend to bring out the celebratory drinks! Let your guests know if the beach doesn’t allow glass, outside food / drinks, or any other rules about using the property.
Beach weddings call for some extra considerations in the planning itself as well as the invitation and website wording. You’ll need a back up plan for inclement weather, sunscreen for yourself and providing some to guests is a nice touch as well, and a way to get equipment on and off of the beach when you’re done. If you’re having anything larger than a micro wedding at a private property, consulting a wedding planner or day of coordinator is a good idea.
10 ways to word your beach wedding invitations
If the bride’s parents are hosting your beach wedding:
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerbelt invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter
Jaime Ann Hoerbelt
to Michael John Coast
Saturday, July 10th two-thousand twenty-four
two o’clock in the afternoon
Del Monte Beach
Monterey, CA
Dinner and dancing begins at six o’clock in the evening
at the Monterey Peninsula Club Beach House
Beach formal
If you want playful wording on your beach wedding invitations:
Please join
Jaime Hoerbelt and Michael Coast
as they say their “I do’s” with sand in their toes
Saturday, June 5th – 6:00 PM
Del Monte Beach
Monterey, CA
Reception to follow at the Monterey Peninsula Club Beach House
Tropical festive attire (sandals welcome!)
Or try some romantic sea-themed poetic wording on your invites:
“For tonight by the ocean true love may be made.”
– Karen Gorringe
Jaime Hoerbelt and Michael Coast
invite you to celebrate their union
Saturday, June 5th – 6:00 PM
Del Monte Beach
Monterey, CA
Reception to follow at the Monterey Peninsula Club Beach House
Here’s another poetic line that captures the spirit of an elopement by the shore:
“Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat,
only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our
pilgrimage to no country and to no end.”
– RABINDRANATH TAGORE
Jaime Hoerbelt and Michael Coast
eloped on Saturday, June 5th
Del Monte Beach
Please join us in congratulating them with cocktails and appetizers
on October 10th at 3 PM
Del Monte Beach Club
Monterey, CA
Here’s some clever wording for your beach wedding that’s not over-the-top romantic:
With sun in our hair and the sea at our backs
Jaime and Michael
invite you to a celebration of their marriage
Saturday, the fifth of June
two o’clock in the afternoon
Del Monte Beach
Reception to follow at the Del Monte Beach Club
If you’re having your wedding at a private beach with the reception to follow in the same location:
Together with their families
Jaime and Michael
request the honor of your presence
as they join in marriage
Saturday, the fifth of June
two o’clock in the afternoon
Coast family private beach
Surfside reception to follow
If you’re looking to say something funny and make your guests laugh:
It’s going to be a SHELL of a good time!
Jaime and Michael
are getting married on the beach
Will we sea you there?
Saturday, the fifth of June
two o’clock in the afternoon
Coast family private beach
Surfside reception to follow – wear your flip flops!
How about inviting your guests to be swept away with a formal beach club ceremony and reception:
Get swept away with
Jaime and Michael
as they join their hands in marriage
Saturday, the fifth of June
six o’clock in the evening
Bayville Beach Club
Reception to follow
Semi-formal attire
Here’s another formal invitation wording example where both families are hosting:
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerbelt
and Mr. and Mrs. Coast
invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children
Jaime Ann Hoerbelt
and Michael John Cost
Saturday, the fifth of June, two thousand twenty-four
six o’clock in the evening
Bayville Beach Club
Bayville, NY
Reception to follow
Black tie
If both families are hosting but you don’t want to list out all of the host’s names (e.g. for divorced parents or where Grandma and other extended family members are contributing) here’s a less formal option:
Together with their families
Jaime and Michael
joyously invite you to witness their union
June 5th 2024 – 6 PM
Bayville Beach Club
Bayville, NY
Reception to follow
Love these beach watercolor wedding invitations?
If you’re dying to snag your own, you’re in the right place. The invitations featured in this post are a custom suite I designed for the Peach Bellini Beach shoot. You can get a semi-custom suite of your own featuring the same artwork and fonts or join me on the custom wedding invitation journey and we can create a 100% you design with brand new artwork.
Schedule a call with me today to discuss your wedding invitation needs. Or sign up for the newsletter and receive a free physical sample in the mail.
Need further convincing? Check out this article on whether custom wedding invitations are worth it. I must admit, I’m a little biased! But I cover all of the pros and cons to help you make the right decision for your big day.
Photo Credits
These amazing photos couldn’t have been possible without the work of an incredible team of vendors at the Peach Bellini Beach styled shoot.
Concept, Design, & Planning – Omaria McCrae Photography
Coordinator – Heather Lange at For The Love of Events
Echo Event Rentals – echoeventrentals.com
Linens – @gbslinens
HMUA – @jackeybellhair
Bride’s Dress and Groom’s Tux – @ab2bboutique
Invitation and Flatlay – @breadandjaim
Stationery (Tablescape) – @tierrafinely.designs
Bride Model – @zoilet.gonzalez
Elopement Couple – @sincerelycymone
Engagement Couple – @payandjacob