There are a lot of questions when it comes to wording your wedding invitations!
Below you'll find some of my most frequently asked questions and tips.
THE HOST LINE
Examples:
Parents along with bride and groom - “Together with their parents”
Bride’s parents - “Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson” then use either bride’s first and middle name or middle name only
Both set of parents - “Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson and/together with Hon. and Mrs. William Mays” OR “Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter .... bride’s first and middle name to groom’s first, middle and last name son of Hon. and Mrs. William Mays”
Bride and Groom - “Laura Johnson and Andrew Mays” (include both last names)
**Most Formal: This includes all titles and middle names example: Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Melvin Johnson
**Less Formal: This includes all titles, but not middle names example: Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson
**Least Formal: This does not include titles or middle names. example: Dennis and Christine Johnson
THE REQUEST OR INVITATION LINE
Examples:
If your ceremony is being held at a place of worship - “request the honor (or honour) of your presence”.
If your ceremony is taking place at a secular location - “request the pleasure of your company”.
If you are having an informal ceremony - “invite you to share in the celebration of their wedding ceremony”.
THE NAMES LINE
In general - the first time a family is listed, their last name is used, any time after that, you can use just first names or first and middle
1. If you listed the brides parent up top ... use just the brides first name or first and middle, you don't need the last name
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson invite you to join them at the marriage of their daughter
Laura Marie
to
Andrew Owen Mays
2. If you don't list the brides parents ... include the bride's last name
Example:
Together with their families
Laura Marie Johnson
and
Andrew Owen Mays
3. If you listed the groom's parents before the bride and groom ... you can leave the groom's last name off
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson together with Hon. and Mrs. William Mays
invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children
Laura Marie
and
Andrew Owen
4. If you list the groom's parents after the bride and groom (i.e. Andrew Mays, son of .... include he groom's last name.
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson invite you to join them at the marriage of their daughter
Laura Marie
to
Andrew Owen Mays
son of Hon. and Mrs. William Mays
PARENTS NAMES
You may choose to include, one both or neither sets of parents on your wedding invitations. It is most common practice that if you are paying for the wedding in any way, your names are on the invitation.
There are a few ways to include parents.
1. Bride's Parents invite
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson invite you to share ......
2. Both parents invite
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson together with Hon. and Mrs. William Mays
3. Brides parents invite, but grooms parents are included
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Johnson invite you to the marriage of their daughter
Laura Johnson
to
Andrew Mays
son of Hon. and Mrs. William Mays
4. Divorced parents - generally the mother is listed first.
WEDDING DATE AND TIME
Example:
Saturday, May twenty-fourth
two thousand eight
one o’clock in the afternoon
PRO TIPS!
- the most formal invitations write numbers out in words, but feel free to use numbers if you prefer that look!
- generally everything before 6 is considered afternoon, anything after is evening, but this can vary by region
- not getting married on the hour? Use half after, quarter after, etc - if this is the case omit o'clock
CEREMONY LOCATION
Example:
St. Hedwig Catholic Church
507 North Brady Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
pro tips!!
- include city and state, but leave off the zip code
- write out all address abbreviations - north, street, drive, state name
RECEPTION LINE
Examples:
Reception to follow
Dinner and dancing immediately to follow
Pro tip! If your reception is at a different location, leave that information for the reception card or additional information card. The invitation is traditionally for the wedding only.
