Nikah invitation wording: 20 examples, from formal to warm

A nikah invitation has a shape of its own. It opens in the name of Allah. The parents invite, not the couple. It usually covers the nikah and the walima, and it ends with a request for duas rather than a sign-off. Get those four things right and the rest is detail. Here is the structure, then twenty examples you can copy and change.

The parts of a nikah invitation

1. The Bismillah. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ, "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful". It goes first, on its own line, in Arabic with or without the translation.
2. A verse or a line of praise. Most families use Surah Ar-Rum 30:21, the verse of mates and mercy, in translation. Some use a short line instead: "With the blessings of Allah". Our guide to Quran verses for wedding invitations covers the choices.
3. The hosts. "Mr and Mrs Ansar Meah" or "The parents of the groom: Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum", followed by the bride's parents. Groom's side first is the convention in most South Asian families; bride's side first in many Arab and Western families. Either is fine. Be consistent with the order of the names on the cover.
4. The request. "request the honour of your presence at the nikah of their children" is the classic line. "Honour" for a formal invitation, "pleasure" for a relaxed one.
5. The couple. First names, or full names for a formal card. The groom's name first if the groom's family is listed first.
6. The occasion. "Nikah", "Nikah and Walima", "Walima" or "Wedding". Say what the gathering is; guests dress and plan around it.
7. Date, time, venue. Day, date, arrival time, and the time of the nikah or the time food is served.
8. The practical lines. Dress code, gifts, RSVP and the reply-by date.
9. The closing. A dua for the couple and a request for the guests' duas. "We kindly request your duas" is the most common. "No gifts, just your duas" is another.

Formal nikah invitation wording

1. The classic, both families hosting

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Mr and Mrs Ansar Meah and Mr and Mrs Nurul Islam request the honour of your presence at the Nikah and Walima of their children

Yusuf and Amira

on Thursday, 28 October 2027 at 5 o'clock Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone

We kindly request your duas

2. With the verse

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

"And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may find tranquility in them, and He has placed between you affection and mercy." (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21)

The parents of the groom, Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum, and the parents of the bride, Nurul Islam and Asma Khatun, kindly request the honour of your presence at the Nikah of their children Yusuf and Amira …

3. Bride's family hosting the nikah

Nurul Islam and Asma Khatun request the honour of your presence at the Nikah of their daughter Amira to Yusuf, son of Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum …

4. The couple inviting, with their families' blessing

With the blessings of Allah and the permission of their parents, Yusuf and Amira invite you to witness their Nikah …

5. A grandparent or elder hosting

Haji Abdul Karim requests the honour of your presence at the Nikah of his granddaughter Amira, daughter of Nurul Islam and Asma Khatun to Yusuf, son of Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum …

Warmer nikah invitation wording

6. Plain and warm

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Together with our families, we would love you to be with us for our nikah.

Yusuf and Amira Thursday 28 October 2027, 5pm Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone

Please reply by 15 September. Your duas mean everything to us.

7. From the parents, in the first person

With hearts full of gratitude to Allah, we invite you to join us as our son Yusuf marries Amira, daughter of Nurul Islam and Asma Khatun. The nikah will take place at 6pm, followed by dinner. Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum

8. The short card

Nikah of Yusuf and Amira Thursday 28 October 2027 · 5pm Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone Hosted by both families · Dinner to follow Kindly reply by 15 September · We request your duas

9. For a nikah at home or at the mosque

Our families invite you to the nikah of Yusuf and Amira at the East London Mosque on Saturday 6 November at 2pm, with a small gathering at our home afterwards. Ladies and gents will be seated separately. Please reply so we can plan the seating, and keep us in your duas.

10. Evening of love, laughter and duas

The parents of the groom, Ansar Meah and Rahima Begum, and the parents of the bride, Nurul Islam and Asma Khatun, kindly request the honour of your presence at the Wedding and Walima of their children, for an evening of love, laughter, duas and memories worth keeping.

Nikah and walima together

11. Both on one invitation, same day

…request the honour of your presence at the Nikah and Walima of their children, Yusuf and Amira. Nikah at 6pm · Walima dinner from 7pm Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone

12. Nikah for family, walima for everyone

The nikah will be held with close family on Friday 29 October. We would be honoured if you would join us for the Walima on Saturday 30 October at 6pm, Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone.

13. Two dates, two venues

Nikah: Friday 29 October, 2pm, East London Mosque (family only) Walima: Saturday 30 October, 6pm, Ariana Gardens, Ingatestone

For walima-only wording, see walima invitation wording.

The practical lines

14. Dress code

Formal traditional attire. We kindly ask guests to avoid wearing red.

Modest formal wear. Hijab is appreciated in the nikah hall.

15. Gifts

Your presence is the gift. Kindly, no boxed gifts please.

No gifts, only your duas.

If you wish to give a gift, a contribution towards our first home would be gratefully received.

16. RSVP

To help us prepare for a joyful celebration, kindly confirm your attendance by 15 September.

Please reply by 15 September with the number of adults and children attending.

17. Seating and timing notes

Ladies and gents will be seated separately. Family seating for the nikah itself.

Dinner will be served at 7pm. Please arrive by 6:30pm.

Closing lines and duas

18. The request for duas

We kindly request your duas.

Your duas are the greatest gift you can give us.

Please keep us in your duas as we begin this new chapter.

19. The dua for the couple, as the closing

Allahumma allif bayna qulubina wa aslih dhata baynina wahdina subul-as-salam. O Allah, unite our hearts, mend our relationships, and guide us on the path of peace.

20. The traditional blessing

Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka alaikuma wa jama'a bainakuma fi khair. May Allah bless you both, shower His blessings upon you, and join you together in goodness.

Our guide to duas for newlyweds has the sources and more options.

Things to leave out

• The Arabic text of a Quranic verse on a card that will be thrown away. Many scholars advise against it; the translation with its source carries the meaning without the concern. On a web page this is less of a worry, but the same choice is the safe one.
• "Mr and Mrs Yusuf Meah". The couple are not married yet when the invitation goes out.
• Exclamation marks. A nikah invitation is formal even when it is warm.
• Every detail of the day. The card or the page carries the essentials; the schedule, the seating plan and the map go on the invitation website, where there is room.

A note on the order of names

Groom first or bride first is a family decision, not a rule. The only mistake is inconsistency: if the groom's parents are listed first, put the groom's name first on the cover and keep it that way on the walima card.

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With RSVP Websites, the Jannah and Noor designs come with the Bismillah, Surah Ar-Rum 30:21, both families with their roles, the request line and the closing dua already in place. Change any of it in a form, add your date and venue, and send one link. Guests reply from their phone with a halal meal choice per person, and you see every reply as it lands.