Wording library
Christening
and baptism.
Two events in one day — a service and a gathering — and the invitation's real job is making clear which parts a guest is invited to.
How do you word a christening invitation?
The parents invite; name the child in full; give the church, the time, and separately the reception with its own time and place. Say plainly whether the guest is invited to the service, the reception, or both — this is the commonest confusion of the day, and it is entirely avoidable in one line.
01
The wording.
Adaeze and Charles Okonkworequest the pleasure of your companyat the christening of their daughterEloise Wrenat St Mary's Church
"Pleasure of your company" is used here even though it is a house of worship, because the invitation is to a family occasion rather than a wedding ceremony. Both forms are seen.
with her godparentsMarion Whitfield and Peter Reyes
A line beneath the child's name. Not required, and a warm touch that godparents remember.
The service at eleven o'clock,followed by luncheon at the Old Rectory
If some guests are invited only to the reception, they need a different card — not a footnote on the same one.
Eloise is being christened.Come and celebrate with us.
Perfectly correct, and suits a small family occasion better than a formal card would.
02
Common questions
Should we mention gifts?
How far ahead?
Do we name the church?
A keepsake as much as an invitation.
Christening stationery is kept for decades — often by the child. It is worth designing rather than choosing from a catalogue.
See baptism design