Today, let’s talk about a detail that might seem small but holds so much power... the words written on your invitation.

The wording on your wedding invitation has the ability to excite your guests or completely kill the vibe. Over the past five years, I’ve worked with hundreds of couples, and I’ve heard these phrases countless times:

• “We don’t want kids at the wedding”
• “I want guests to give us money as a gift”
• “Please, no one wear white or red”
• “We don’t want people to arrive late; the wedding starts at 3 PM sharp”

Now, think about it—how did you feel reading those phrases? Did you feel free, or restricted? If you had seen them on a wedding invitation, would you be excited to attend?

The reason you may have felt a bit restricted or uncomfortable is simple: all these phrases carry a negative tone. Words like “don’t,” “I want,” or “no one” have a limiting connotation.

But here’s the thing—while these phrases may sound negative, I completely understand them from the couple’s perspective. These desires are very real, and it’s perfectly okay to have them. Your wedding day should reflect your preferences, and today I’ll teach you how to achieve your desired outcome with kindness and love.

There are many ways to reach the same goal, but I promise you one route will always be better than the rest. Communication works the same way—there are lots of ways to say something, but I can assure you that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”.

The good news is there are ways to clearly communicate everything you want on your invitation without using negative language. Below, I’ve included 4 examples:

• Instead of saying: “We don’t want kids at the wedding,” try this phrase: “This is an adults-only event.”

• Instead of writing: “I want guests to give us money,” try this phrase: “Your presence is the most important thing to us, but if you wish to give a gift, we’d appreciate monetary contributions.”

• Rather than saying: “Please, no one wear white or red,” consider this method: “Suggested Attire Colors,” and include a color palette with the tones you’d like (see example below).

• To avoid saying: “We don’t want people arriving late; the wedding starts at 3 PM sharp,” consider asking guests to arrive 30 minutes earlier (2:30 PM). This gives some buffer time for those running late.

At LiliWeds, our mission is to create beautiful invitations—both in design and content. We want your guests to read your invitation and feel pure joy knowing they’re invited to share such a special day with you. We strive to use positive language, and we’ve seen firsthand the wonderful results it brings. But here’s a little tip—don’t invite someone expecting them to decline, because according to our couples, almost everyone RSVPs “YES!” 😂

I’d love to know what you think about this topic. Leave your thoughts in the comments below 🔽 🔽 🔽

XOXO, Lili

#KindnessIsKey #SpreadtheLove #KindWords