Christening invitations: wording and what to include

What every christening invitation needs

The child's full name, the date, the church and the service time, and then the reception separately with its own address and time. Guests are planning around a small child of their own as often as not, so the end time matters more here than at a wedding.

Name the godparents if they are being announced. Many families use the invitation to do exactly that, and it is a kindness to those relatives who would otherwise learn it on the day.

• The child's full name as it will be given
• Church, service time, and how long the service runs
• Reception venue, address and time
• Godparents, where you are announcing them

Wording examples

Traditional: "David and Sarah Whitfield invite you to the christening of their daughter Alice Marie at St Mary's Church, Bath, on Sunday 12 September at 11am, and afterwards for lunch at Hillside Barn."

Warmer: "Alice is being christened — and we would love you there. Sunday 12 September, 11am at St Mary's, then lunch at Hillside Barn from half past twelve."

Gifts, and how to say nothing awkwardly

Christening gifts are traditional and most guests will bring something regardless. If you would rather they did not, say it once and lightly — "your being there is the present" — in its own line, not on the front.

If family are likely to give money and you would prefer a contribution to a savings account, put the details in a small separate section that people can find if they look, and ignore if they do not.

Frequently asked

How far in advance should christening invitations go out?

Four to six weeks is normal. Godparents should know as soon as the date is fixed, well before the invitations go anywhere.

Do guests have to come to both the service and the reception?

Say plainly that they are welcome at both and that either is fine. Guests with very small children are often grateful to be told they may skip the service without explaining themselves.