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A lot of couples stress over Wedding Invitation Wording. That is to say, how to properly invite people to a special gathering witnessing your nuptials without offending anyone in the process?
Wedding invitation wording usually follows some well-established guidelines that respect the nature of your specific family and situation. (When I talk about who is hosting, it normally refers to who is paying the lion's share of the wedding cost; whoever is footing the bill deserves to lead off the invitation.) To ensure your invitations can do just that, follow the universal models shown below. I have tried to list as many different situations as I could possibly think of, however, if you have something out of the ordinary, please Contact Me and I will add those as well.
The BasicsFirst of all, it should be noted that on formal wedding invitation wording everything is spelled out, including the date and time of the wedding. For example, the invitation should read two o'clock in the afternoon and not 2:00 p.m. Each piece of information is on its own line and no commas are used, exception between the location of the wedding and the city and province/state in which it will take place. The following is how a basic wedding invitation should read:
__________________ [proper names of those hosting/paying]
request the honor of your presence [request line]
at the marriage of their _________ [list relationship of the bride to the host]
__________________ [bride's first and middle names]
to
__________________ [groom's full name]
_________, the __ of ________ [day of the week, day and month of wedding]
at ____ o'clock [time of wedding] in the _________ [time of day]
___________________ [name of the location of wedding]
_________, ____________ [city and state/province where wedding will take place]
Reception to follow
Wedding invitation wording dictates that if the bride's parents are hosting, it is customary to leave off the bride's last name. If the groom's parents are involved (hosting), the bride's last name should be included. It should be noted that with wedding invitation wording, "The honor of your presence" is traditionally only used if the ceremony is taking place in a house of worship. Any parent or important loved one not mentioned on the invitation (either because they were not officially hosting or there was not enough space to include them) should be recognized elsewhere. Some ideas: a special note in the ceremony program, a special toast at the rehearsal dinner, or a thank you speech at the wedding reception. Watch Out! Be Careful!Even though you may be following the rules of wedding invitation wording and paying tribute to the parents that are hosting (paying), you may actually offend the other set of parents who are not mentioned on the invitation. To counter that, you could use the wedding invitation wording such as the following: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
That being said, I know that there is a lot of you who won't fit into that neat little example of wedding invitation wording, so check out the following examples; you can go for a formal or casual feel, it's up to you:Parents of the Bride Hosting - Formal Parents of the Bride Hosting - Casual Parents of the Groom Hosting - Formal Parents of the Groom Hosting - Casual If the Wedding is Going to be Held at a Home, instead of a Church, etc. If the Wedding is Going to be Held at a location other than a church or residence Bride and Groom Hosting - Formal Bride and Groom Hosting - Casual Both Sets of Parents Hosting - Formal Both Sets of Parents Hosting - Casual The Bride, Groom and both sets of Parents are Hosting - Formal The Bride, Groom and both sets of Parents are Hosting - Casual Divorced Parent Hosting Alone - Formal Divorced Parent Hosting Alone - Casual Divorced Parent is Hosting with New Spouse - Formal Divorced Parent is Hosting with New Spouse - Casual Divorced Parents are Hosting Jointly - Formal Divorced Parents are Hosting Jointly - Casual Widowed Remarried Parent is Hosting - Formal Widowed Remarried Parent is Hosting - Casual
Parents of the Bride Hosting - Formal Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
What I can say is, "Be Care With This Wording". Even though you may be following the rules of wedding invitation wording and paying tribute to the parents that are hosting, you may actually offend the other set of parents who are not mentioned on the invitation. To counter that you could use the wedding invitation wording: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
Parents of the Bride Hosting - CasualJohn and Bella Doe
invite you to the wedding of their daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Bella Doe
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of theirdaughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Bella Doe
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
Parents of the Groom Hosting - Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
What I can say is, "Be Care With This Wording". Even though you may be following the rules of wedding invitation wording and paying tribute to the parents that are hosting, you may actually offend the other set of parents who are not mentioned on the invitation. To counter that you could use the wedding invitation wording:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of
John and Bella Doe
Parents of the Groom Hosting - CasualBrian and Elsie Smith
invite you to the wedding of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon What I can say is, "Be Care With This Wording". Even though you may be following the rules of wedding invitation wording and paying tribute to the parents that are hosting, you may actually offend the other set of parents who are not mentioned on the invitation. To counter that you could use the wedding invitation wording: Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son
Paul Edward
to
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of
John and Bella Doe
If the Wedding is Going to be Held at a Home, instead of a Church, etc.instead of listing the church, etc., say: at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
525 Atlantic Boulevard
Somecity, Someprovince/state
If the Wedding is Going to be Held at a location other than a church or residenceinstead of the church name, simply substitute: Royal Park
Queen Street
Somecity, Someprovince/state
Both Sets of Parents Hosting - FormalMr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Jane Anna
and
Paul Edward
Both Sets of Parents Hosting - CasualJohn and Bella Doe
along with
Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to the wedding of their children
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Bella Doe
along with
Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of their children
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Bella Doe
along with
Brian and Elsie Smith
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their children
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
The Bride and Groom are Hosting - Formal There are actually a couple of different ways you can handle this one, see which wedding invitation wording you like better: Miss Jane Anna Doe
and
Mr. Paul Edward Smith
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
or
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Miss Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Mr. Paul Edward Smith
son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
or
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
or
The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
It should be noted that with wedding invitation wording, "The honor of your presence" is traditionally only used if the ceremony is taking place in a house of worship.
Bride and Groom Hosting - Casual Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
invite you to share and celebrate at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
The Bride, Groom and both sets of Parents are Hosting - Formal
Again, there are a couple of different ways you can handle this one, see which wedding invitation wording you like better: Together with their parents
Miss Jane Anna Doe
and
Mr. Paul Edward Smith
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
or
Miss Jane Anna Doe
and
Mr. Paul Edward Smith
together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
or
Miss Jane Anna Doe
and
Mr. Paul Edward Smith
together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon.
The Bride, Groom and both sets of Parents are Hosting - Casual
Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
together with their parents
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
together with their parents
invite you to share and celebrate at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
Jane Anna Doe
&
Paul Edward Smith
together with their parents
invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
Divorced Parent Hosting Alone - FormalMr. John D. Doe
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
or
Mr. John D. Doe
requests the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
Divorced Parent Hosting Alone - CasualJohn D. Doe
invites you to the wedding of his daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John D. Doe
invites you to share and celebrate at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John D. Doe
invites you to share in his joy at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
Divorced Parent is Hosting with New Spouse - Formal Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Ms. Bella Forest
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
orMr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Ms. Bella Forest
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
Divorced Parent is Hosting with New Spouse - CasualJohn and Linda Doe
invite you to the wedding of his daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Bella Forest
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Linda Doe
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Bella Forest
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Linda Doe
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of Bella Forest
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
Divorced Parents are Hosting Jointly - Formal Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Ms. Bella Forest
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon
or
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doe
and
Ms. Bella Forest
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past two in the afternoon Please note that a good rule of thumb is to list in the wedding invitation wording whomever is paying for the majority of the wedding first.
Divorced Parents are Hosting Jointly - Casual John and Linda Doe
with Bella Forest
invite you to the wedding of their daughter
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon,br>
or
John and Linda Doe
with Bella Forest
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
John and Linda Doe
with Bella Forest
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Anna Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon It should be noted that with wedding invitation wording, a good rule of thumb is to list whomever is paying for the majority of the wedding, first.
Widowed Remarried Parent is Hosting - Formal Mr. and Mrs. Bella Davis
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of the late Mr. John D. Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
or
Mr. and Mrs. Bella Davis
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of the late Mr. John D. Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith It should be noted that with wedding invitation wording, although you do not have to list the deceased parent's name, it's an option if you wish to honor them on the invitation.
Widowed Remarried Parent is Hosting - Casual David and Bella Davis
invite you to the wedding of her daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of the late Mr. John D. Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
David and Bella Davis
invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of the late Mr. John D. Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon
or
David and Bella Davis
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Anna Doe
daughter of the late Mr. John D. Doe
to
Paul Edward Smith
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 2:30 in the afternoon It should be noted that with wedding invitation wording, although you do not have to list the deceased parent's name, it's an option if you wish to honor them on the invitation.
I hope that this helped to clear up the wedding invitation wording issue!
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