How To Address Wedding Invites For Adopted Parents

Wedding invitation wording is a delicate matter, and it's important to consider the feelings of all involved, especially when it comes to including parents' names. The traditional format of wedding invitations often includes the names of the bride's parents, as they are typically the hosts and bear most of the financial burden. However, modern weddings often involve multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves hosting, making the invitation wording more complex. In such cases, it is common to use phrases like together with their families to include all parents without implying that they are the sole hosts. Ultimately, the couple should use their best judgment and consider the preferences of their families, especially when cultural traditions or expectations are involved.

How to word wedding invitations when the bride's parents are hosting

When the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, their names are usually listed at the top of the invitation. This is a formal indication of who is financially contributing to the wedding. If both parents are contributing, be sure to include everyone.

Formal Wording

• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Brady Christopher Ziegler, to Troy Higgins Clark, on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-six, at six o'clock in the evening, at Bluxome Street Winery, San Francisco, California."
• "Marcus and Liza Cannon request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Sara Marie, to Troy Higgins Clark, on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock in the evening."

Casual Wording

• "Samuel and Mindy Peters, together with the families and friends of Matthew John Masterson, invite you to the ceremony and celebration on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at three o'clock in the afternoon, at Northern Lights Garden."
• "Jefferson and Louisa Hinke invite you to share in the joy and celebrate with family and friends as their daughter, Michael Joseph Stromm, is joined in marriage on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock in the evening, at 1232 Snowflake Drive."

Religious Wording

"Our joy will be more complete if you can share in the marriage of our daughter, Sara Marie, to Troy Higgins Clark, on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at six o'clock in the evening. If you are unable to attend, we ask for your presence in thought and prayer. Jonathan and Emma Neilson."

Holiday Wedding Wording

"As this holiday season begins, we, Jefferson and Louisa Hinke, have a special reason to celebrate with family and friends. You are invited to share the joy as our daughter, Michael Joseph Stromm, is joined in marriage on Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at five o'clock in the evening, at 1232 Snowflake Drive."

Including both sets of parents when they're contributing to the wedding

When it comes to wedding invitations, the wording can be tricky, especially when multiple sets of parents are involved. Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate this situation gracefully:

Host of the Wedding

The individuals hosting the wedding are typically listed first on the invitation. This is usually the couple themselves or the parents of the bride, but nowadays it is not uncommon for multiple sets of parents to be included as hosts. When both sets of parents are contributing financially, it is important to include everyone. Remember that the host is also signalling who is shouldering the majority of the financial burden of the wedding.

Honouring Both Sets of Parents

If you want to honour both sets of parents on your wedding invitations, here is an example of how to word it:

> Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Jane Smith

> joyfully invite you to the marriage of their daughter

> Nicole

> (your fiancé's name)

> son of Mr. Kevin Jones and Mrs. Barbara White

In this example, the bride's parents are listed first as the hosts, followed by the groom's parents. This way, both sets of parents are included and recognised for their contributions.

Including All Families

If you prefer a more inclusive approach, you can use a phrase like "together with their families" or "together with their loved ones". This option avoids any potential hurt feelings and emphasises the unity of the families.

Etiquette for Listing Parents' Names

When listing parents' names, there are a few etiquette guidelines to consider:

• In formal invitation etiquette, parents are listed with the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the father's first, middle, and last names. However, adaptations are common, such as using first names or including the mother's name first if divorced.
• Using nicknames is generally discouraged, but if you are uncomfortable using your full name, consider using a casual invitation style or including your nickname on enclosure cards.
• Abbreviate "Senior" and "Junior" (Sr. & Jr.) and professional titles such as "Doctor".
• Spell out numbers in the date and address, except for street numbers.
• Use "in the morning", "in the afternoon", and "in the evening" instead of a.m. or p.m.

Sensitivity and Communication

Remember that the most important aspect is to handle the situation with sensitivity and open communication. Be considerate and gracious towards all parties involved, especially those contributing to your special day. Discuss your preferences and comfort levels with your families, and tailor the invitation wording to suit your unique situation.

By following these guidelines and examples, you can craft wedding invitations that beautifully honour both sets of parents and set the tone for your celebration.

The bride's parents are hosting, but the groom's parents want to be included

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the general rule is that the individuals hosting the wedding are listed first. In traditional weddings, this role typically falls to the bride's parents, but nowadays, it is not uncommon for multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves to host.

If the bride's parents are hosting and the couple wants to include the groom's parents, the invitation can be worded as follows:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, Bride, to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents, on [date].

Another option is to acknowledge both sets of parents as hosts, regardless of who is paying:

> Together with their parents, Bride and Groom request the pleasure of your company...

If the groom's parents are contributing financially or the couple wants to include them for other reasons, it is possible to list them alongside the bride's parents as hosts:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents, together with Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents, invite you to the wedding of Bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents, to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents, on [date].

Including both sets of parents is a gracious option that acknowledges their importance in the couple's lives. It is also essential to consider the level of formality of the wedding and use the appropriate wording and etiquette.

The groom's parents are hosting, but the bride's parents want to be included

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the individuals hosting the wedding are typically listed first. This is a formal indication of who is shouldering the majority of the financial burden of the wedding. In traditional weddings, the role of "hosts" falls to the bride's parents, but nowadays it is not uncommon for multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves to be the hosts.

If the groom's parents are hosting but the bride's parents want to be included, there are a few ways to word the invitation. Here are some examples:

"Mr. & Mrs. Bride's Parents invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Bride to Groom, son of Mr. & Mrs. Groom's Parents"

"Together with Mr & Mrs Bride, Bride & Groom would like to invite you to their wedding"

"Together with their parents, Bride & Groom request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"

"Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their daughter Bride to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents"

"Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Alvarado, Jr. Request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of Andrea & Landon Thompson"

"Together with their families, Bride & Groom invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows"

"Together with their families, Bride and Groom invite you to be a part of their special day"

It is important to consider the level of formality you want to convey in the invitation. More formal weddings tend to follow traditional wording conventions, while less formal weddings allow for more creativity and flexibility in the wording. Ultimately, the decision on how to word the invitation is a personal one, and you should choose the option that feels most comfortable and respectful to all parties involved.

The couple is hosting, but the bride's parents want to be included

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the options are endless. The key considerations are who is hosting the wedding, the tone of the event, and any family traditions and expectations. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation when the couple is hosting, but the bride's parents want to be included:

Who is Hosting the Wedding?

The traditional wedding wording often reflects that the bride's family is hosting and paying for the wedding. In this case, the invitation is worded to show that the bride's parents are inviting everyone to an event they are hosting. However, nowadays, it is more common for the couple to host and pay for the wedding themselves or for it to be a collaborative effort involving both sets of parents or other family members.

Modern Wording Options

If the couple is hosting and funding the wedding themselves, you can use modern wording such as:

• "Together with their parents"
• "Together with their families"
• "Please join us as we celebrate the marriage of"
• No formal invitational line at all

These options are appropriate to acknowledge the support of the bride's parents, even if they are not paying for the wedding in full.

Including the Bride's Parents

If you want to include the bride's parents as hosts, you can use wording such as:

• "Mr. and Mrs. [Father's first name] & [Mother's first name] [Last name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's name] to [Groom's name]"
• "Together with their families, [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"

Formal or Informal Tone

The tone of the invitation should match the formality of the event. For a black-tie affair, use more formal wording, while for a casual wedding, informal wording is suitable. Mixing and matching formalities between the invitation and the event is not recommended as it may confuse your guests.

Family Traditions and Expectations

It is important to consider family traditions and expectations to avoid hurt feelings. If your family is traditional and expects to be named on the invitation, leaving them out might cause tension. On the other hand, if you know your guests are not used to formal occasions, you may want to word the invitation in a way that makes them feel more comfortable.

In conclusion, when the couple is hosting but the bride's parents want to be included, you can use a combination of modern and traditional wording options to acknowledge both parties. Remember to consider the tone of your event and any family expectations to create a wedding invitation that truly represents you and your special day.

Frequently asked questions