Wedding Invites: Whose Names To Include?

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to including the names of both parents. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, times have changed, and now it is common for both sets of parents to be included as hosts, especially if they are contributing financially to the wedding. Including both sets of parents is a gracious option and a sign of respect and appreciation for their support.

Including both sets of parents is a gracious option

Including both sets of parents on your wedding invitation is a wonderful way to honour and show appreciation to both sides of the family. This approach is especially gracious when both sets of parents are contributing financially to the wedding.

Formal Wording

If you're opting for a formal wedding invitation, you might use the following wording:

> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith

> Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their children

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four

> at half after four in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Reception to follow

In this example, the parents' names are listed first, followed by the request for attendance and the details of the wedding. The date and time are written out in full, and the venue address is included.

Casual Wording

For a more casual invitation, you could use a simpler phrasing:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes,

> invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Reception to follow

Here, the wording is more conversational, and numerical figures are used for the date and time.

Creative Wording

If you want to get creative with your invitations, you can add a personal touch:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes

> can't wait to celebrate with you at the marriage of

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Party to follow

This example adds a playful element with the mention of a "party" instead of a reception, reflecting the joy and excitement of the occasion.

Modern Wording

For a modern twist, you can change the order of the details and add a fun line:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes

> hope you will attend the marriage of

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Reception to follow

Here, the date and time are given prominence, and the request for attendance is more casual, reflecting a modern sensibility.

Remember, these are just a few examples, and you can customise the wording to fit your style and tone. Including both sets of parents is a lovely way to involve both families in your special day and is sure to be appreciated by all.

The bride's parents are usually mentioned first

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many ways to include both parents' names, and it is common to see the couple's parents mentioned together. However, the bride's parents are usually mentioned first, and there are several ways to do this gracefully. Here are some suggestions:

Traditional Wording

The traditional way to word wedding invitations is to begin with the hosts, who are typically the couple, the bride's parents, or both sets of parents. In the case of the bride's parents hosting, the invitation can be worded as follows:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name], son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents]

This format is considered traditional and formal, and it acknowledges both sets of parents while still giving precedence to the bride's family.

Modern Variations

If you prefer a more modern or simplified approach, there are a few variations you can consider:

• "Together with their families/parents, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] invite you to their wedding."
• "[Bride's Name], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents], and [Groom's Name], son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents], invite you to share in their joy as they unite in marriage."
• "Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents] are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name], son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents]."

These modern variations provide a more contemporary feel while still honouring both sets of parents.

Dealing with Divorced Parents

In cases where the bride's parents are divorced, you can choose to include both parents' names, but they should never appear on the same line, even if they remain unmarried. Here's an example:

> Mr. [Father's Name] and Mrs. [Mother's Name] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name]...

If only the bride's mother is hosting, the invitation can be worded as follows:

> Mrs. [Mother's Name] invites you to the marriage of her daughter [Bride's Name]...

Similarly, if only the father is hosting, a slight modification can be made:

> Mr. [Father's Name] invites you to the marriage of his daughter [Bride's Name]...

Honouring Step-parents

Including step-parents on the wedding invitation is also acceptable and can be done in a graceful manner:

> [Stepfather's Name] and [Mother's Name] invite you to the marriage of [Mother's Name]'s daughter [Bride's Name]...

If you wish to include both biological parents and step-parents, you can use a combination of the above formats:

> Along with [Mother's Name] and [Stepfather's Name], Mr. [Father's Name] invites you to the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name]...

These suggestions provide a range of options for including both parents' names on wedding invitations while maintaining a traditional or modern tone.

The host is whoever is paying for the majority of the wedding

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the host line typically includes whoever is paying for the majority of the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation, even for formal affairs. However, it has become increasingly common for couples to host their own weddings or to do so together with their parents.

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, each parent gets their own separate line. If you're including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.

• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Bride, to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams invite you to share in the joy of the marriage of their daughter, Bride, to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line altogether or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• "Together with full hearts, Bride and Groom invite you to join them as they exchange wedding vows."
• "With hearts full of love and joy, Bride and Groom request the pleasure of your company at their wedding."

Including both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, regardless of who is paying. If both sets of parents are contributing financially, you can use wording such as:

• "Together with their parents, Bride and Groom request the honour of your company at their wedding."
• "Together with their families, Bride and Groom invite you to share in the joy of their marriage."

If one set of parents is contributing more financially, you can list their names first:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents and Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents invite you to share in the joy of the marriage of their children, Bride and Groom."
• "Together with their families, Bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents, and Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents, invite you to celebrate with them."

Ultimately, the most important rule is to create a wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come. Feel free to riff off these wedding invitation wording principles and make them your own!

How to word invitations when parents are divorced

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to approach the wording when your parents are divorced. Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate this situation:

Including Both Divorced Parents:

• The basic rule of thumb is to tread lightly and avoid salting old wounds. It is best to list your natural parents' names separately and on different lines.
• If one parent has been remarried for a significant amount of time and you have a close relationship with your stepparent, it is appropriate to include their name on the same line as their spouse.
• If both parents are remarried, you can list each couple on their own line or use the phrase “together with their families” to keep the invitation concise.
• Here is an example of how to word the invitation if a divorced parent is hosting: "Mr. John Philip Monroe requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth Ann to Kevin Charles Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Black."
• If a divorced parent is hosting with their new spouse, the wording can be adjusted: "Michelle & Timothy Wright request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black, son of Barbara and Stanley Black."
• If both divorced parents are jointly hosting the wedding, the invitation can be worded as follows: "Mrs. Michelle Wright and Mr. John Monroe request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Black."

Including One Parent Only:

• If only one parent is hosting, you can simply include their name on the invitation, followed by "requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter/son."
• If you want to include the other partner's parents as well, you can add their names: "Mr. & Mrs. Hank Scott invite you to the marriage of their children Preston Lucille Price on Friday, the twenty-eighth of October, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the evening."

Including Stepparents:

• If you want to include a stepparent on your invitation, a small adjustment to the wording can be made. For example: "Neena and Kenneth Peterson invite you to the marriage of Neena's daughter, Hunter Walter Franke, on Saturday, August 25th, two thousand twenty-seven, at one o'clock in the afternoon."
• To include both your stepparent and biological parent, you can use the following wording: "Along with Neena and Kenneth Peterson, [biological parent's name] invites you to the marriage of their daughter, Hunter Walter Franke."

General Tips:

• The mother's name typically goes first unless she is not contributing financially to the wedding, in which case the father's name can be listed first.
• It is acceptable to include stepparents, especially if they have played an important role in your life.
• If you are including the names of both sets of parents as hosts, you can use a phrase such as "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• The invitation should include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information.
• The dress code can be indicated in the lower right corner of the invitation or inferred from the invitation style.

How to include a deceased parent

There are a few ways to include a deceased parent on a wedding invitation. Here are some options:

Option 1:

If one parent is deceased, you can list the surviving parent's name first, followed by the deceased parent's name with the word "late" before it. Here's an example:

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of [Surviving Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]

>

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]

>

> request the honor of your presence at their marriage.

Option 2:

If both parents are deceased, you can list both parents as "late" to honour them. Here's an example:

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of the late [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]

>

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]

>

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

Option 3:

If the surviving parent has remarried, you can list the step-parent's name after the surviving parent's name, followed by the deceased parent's name with the word "late" before it. Here's an example:

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Step-Parent's Name]

>

> the late [Deceased Parent's Name]

>

> [Engaged Person's Name]

>

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]

>

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

Option 4:

If you prefer not to list any parents' names on the invitation, you can use a more general phrase such as "together with their families".

It's worth noting that there are other ways to honour a deceased parent during the wedding ceremony and reception, such as lighting a memorial candle, reserving a seat for them, including a note in the wedding program, giving a toast, or reading a memorial poem.

Frequently asked questions