Wedding invitation in Arabic: the classic Gulf wording

How to write a wedding invitation in Arabic: the classic structure

• An opening verse or blessing (optional)
• The host: "يتشرف" (… is honoured) followed by the father's or family's name
• The invitation: "بدعوتكم لحضور حفل زفاف نجله" (to invite you to the wedding of his son)
• The groom's name
• The bride by her father's name: "على كريمة" (to the daughter of …)
• Day, date and time, often with "وذلك بمشيئة الله" (God willing)
• The venue and city
• A closing line: "بحضوركم تكتمل فرحتنا" (your presence completes our joy)

Formal, short and family versions

The same structure stretches or shrinks. The formal version keeps every line and is the usual choice for the men's card. The short version suits a WhatsApp message or a small card. The family version is sent in both families' names and reads warmer.

Why the bride is named by her family

On many Gulf cards — especially the men's — the bride is named through her father, "على كريمة …", rather than by her own name. It is a mark of respect and privacy, and it is the expected form; ladies' cards more often give her name. Both are correct: write whichever your families prefer.

Verses and duas to open with

If the card carries a verse, print it where it won't be cut off or thrown away carelessly — many families prefer the dua on cards that will be handed around, and keep the verse for the digital card.

Men's cards and ladies' cards

When the men's and ladies' celebrations are held apart, families send two cards. The men's card is usually the formal one in the father's name. The ladies' card is often sent by the mother, may name the bride, and adds a line such as "الحفل للسيدات فقط" (ladies only), "نعتذر عن اصطحاب الأطفال" (we regret we cannot host children) or a request not to take photos. More on this in men's and ladies' wedding invitations and polite card rules.

Useful phrases, translated

A bilingual card: Arabic and English together

Many UAE weddings mix Emirati, Arab and expat guests, so families either print both languages on one card or make two versions of the same design. If you put both on one card, keep the Arabic on the right and give each language the same weight; don't translate word for word — "على كريمة" becomes "to the daughter of", and "بحضوركم تكتمل فرحتنا" reads best as "your presence will complete our joy".

In the Invited studio you type the details in both languages and switch the card's language with one tap, so each guest can get the version they read. For the right lettering, see Arabic fonts for wedding invitations.