Deborah Chan
Wedding invitation wording is a tricky business. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed as hosts at the top of the invitation, as they are usually the ones paying for the wedding. However, this tradition is falling out of fashion, as more and more couples are paying for their own weddings. Nowadays, it is common to see both sets of parents listed as hosts, or no parents at all, with the couple themselves doing the inviting. If one set of parents is contributing more than the other, it is still possible to acknowledge their contribution with a separate card or insert, or by listing them first on the invitation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Host Line | Names of the hosts of the event (traditionally the bride's parents) |
| Attendance Request | Request to attend |
| Names | Names of the couple |
| Date and Time | Date and time of the wedding |
| Location | Name and address of the venue |
| Reception Details | Details of the reception |
| Dress Code | Dress code for the wedding |
What You'll Learn
The couple is hosting
When the couple is hosting the wedding, the invitation can simply begin with the request for attendance, omitting the host line altogether. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation:
Formal Wording
> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim
> Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]
> Reception to follow
Fun Wording
> Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot
> Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]
> Dinner and dancing to follow
Casual Wording
> Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
> Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]
> Reception to follow
Creative Wording
> Good food, good drinks, good friends! Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched
> Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]
> Party to follow
Modern Wording
> Jack Smith & Mason Kim would love to eat wedding cake with you
> Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]
> Reception to follow
If both the couple and their parents are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as "Together with their families". Here is how this can be incorporated into the invitation:
> Together with their families, Jack Smith & Mason Kim invite you to their wedding
> Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]
> Reception to follow
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Both sets of parents are hosting
When both sets of parents are hosting the wedding, it is customary to list the names of the bride's parents first, followed by the names of the groom's parents. Here are some examples of how this can be worded for different styles of invitations:
Formal Wedding Invitation
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
[venue name and address]
Reception to follow
Fun Wedding Invitation
Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith
Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes
Hope you'll join them on the dance floor
To celebrate the marriage of their children
Olivia Rose and John Michael
Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon
[venue name and address]
Merriment to follow
Casual Wedding Invitation
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
[venue name and address]
Reception to follow
Creative Wedding Invitation
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
[venue name and address]
Party to follow
Modern Wedding Invitation
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
[venue name and address]
Reception to follow
Simple Wedding Invitation
Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes
Invite you to the wedding of
Olivia Rose and John Michael
Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon
[venue name and address]
Reception to follow
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The bride's parents are hosting
When the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, their names are usually included at the top of the invitation, followed by a line indicating that they are hosting the event. Here are some examples of how this can be worded:
- "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Jane Smith, to Mr. John Doe."
- "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company at their wedding."
- "The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Jane Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, to Mr. John Doe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Doe."
- "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith invite you to share in their joy as their daughter, Jane Smith, marries Mr. John Doe."
The bride's parents' names and their role as hosts are typically included on the invitation, even for very formal weddings. However, it is becoming more common for couples to host their own weddings or to do so together with both sets of parents. In these cases, the invitation can be worded as follows:
- "Together with their families, Bride and Groom invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows."
- "Bride and Groom, together with their families, request the honour of your presence at their wedding."
When it comes to the level of formality, traditional weddings tend to spell out dates and times in full, while modern invitations may use numerical figures. The dress code can also be indicated through the wording and design of the invitation, with more formal language and elegant fonts suggesting a black-tie event, and casual phrasing indicating a more relaxed dress code.
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Honouring a deceased parent
Including the deceased parent's name
One way to honour a deceased parent is to include their name on the wedding invitation. This can be done in a formal or informal manner. For example, for a traditional wedding, the invitation can be worded as:
> [Name of deceased parent] and [Name of surviving parent]
> request the honour of your presence
> at the marriage of their daughter/son
> [Name of bride/groom],
> on [Date]
> at [Time]
> [Venue name and address]
If the bride or groom's parent has passed away, the wording can be adjusted slightly:
> Mr. and Mrs. [Name of groom's parents]
> Mrs. [Name of bride's mother] and the late [Name of bride's father]
> request the honour of your presence
> at the marriage of their children
> [Names of bride and groom]
> on [Date]
> at [Time]
> [Venue name and address]
Informal approach
If a more informal approach is preferred, the invitation can be worded as:
> [Name of bride/groom],
> daughter/son of [Name of deceased parent] and [Name of surviving parent]
> invites you to share in their joy
> at their wedding
> on [Date]
> at [Time]
> [Venue name and address]
Other ways to honour a deceased parent
In addition to including the deceased parent's name on the wedding invitation, there are other ways to honour their memory:
- Create an "In Memoriam" table at the reception with framed photos of the deceased parent and other loved ones.
- Incorporate symbolic flowers into the wedding decor, such as white roses, which symbolise remembrance and honour.
- Reserve a front-row seat at the ceremony with a bouquet of flowers or a custom sign.
- Light a candle at the start of the ceremony to signify the presence of the deceased parent's spirit.
- Display a framed photo or a portrait of the deceased parent at the ceremony or reception.
- Play a special song dedicated to the deceased parent during the reception.
- Include a special note or quote on the wedding program, such as "In Loving Memory Of" along with a symbolic quote.
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The groom's parents are hosting
When the groom's parents are hosting the wedding, their names should be included on the invitation, along with the names of the couple getting married. Here are some examples of wedding invitation wording in this scenario:
Formal Wording
> Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents' Names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son [Groom's Name] to [Bride's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
> Together with their families, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honor of your presence at their wedding on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
Fun Wording
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes can't wait to celebrate with you at the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Merriment to follow!
> Come party with [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]! They're tying the knot on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow!
Casual Wording
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
> [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
Creative Wording
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes are thrilled to celebrate the love of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. Join us for their wedding on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Party to follow!
> Good food, good drinks, and good company! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request your presence at their wedding on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Let's eat, drink, and be merry!
Modern Wording
> With much love, Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
> [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] would love to eat wedding cake with you! Join us on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address].
Simple Wording
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes invite you to the wedding of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary to include parents' names on wedding invitations. However, if you wish to acknowledge their contribution, you can use a traditional introduction such as "Mr. and Mrs. X request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter A to B."
The wording of a wedding invitation should include the host line, attendance request, the names of the couple, date and time, location, and reception details. The host line typically includes the names of the people paying for the wedding, usually the bride's parents.
If both sets of parents are contributing to the wedding, you can use a phrase such as "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families." For different-sex couples, the bride's parents' names are usually listed first, followed by the groom's parents' names.
The traditional etiquette for listing parents' names on wedding invitations is to include the full names of the bride's parents as the hosts, followed by the bride's first and middle name and the groom's full name. However, modern etiquette suggests listing both sets of parents' names, especially if both are contributing financially.
