Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Capitalizing Dinner And Dancing Events

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's full name. Secondly, only the day of the week, the month, and the first letter of the year are capitalized, along with proper nouns. Finally, when the ceremony and reception are at the same location, the invitation can include Reception to follow or Dinner and dancing to follow.

The bride's name typically comes before the groom's

When it comes to wedding invitations, tradition holds that the bride's name typically precedes that of the groom. This convention is rooted in the idea that the bride's name should appear first on all announcements and formal stationery related to the wedding ceremony.

Here's a breakdown of the reasoning behind this tradition:

Pre-Wedding Etiquette

The bride's name usually comes first on "Save the Dates," invitations, and other pre-wedding stationery. This tradition likely stems from the notion of introducing the bride first, as she is often the focal point of the wedding ceremony. It's a way to honour and showcase the bride-to-be in the lead-up to the big day.

Post-Wedding Changes

After the wedding, the etiquette shifts, and the groom's name typically precedes the bride's on thank-you cards, address labels, and other post-wedding correspondence. This change symbolises the traditional view of the groom becoming the "head of the household" after marriage.

Same-Sex Weddings

In the case of same-sex weddings, there is more flexibility. One common approach is to let alphabetical order guide the way, providing a structured approach to naming conventions. Alternatively, personal preference plays a role, especially if the couple is known by their friends and family in a particular order.

Breaking Traditions

While traditions provide guidelines, modern couples often choose to personalise their wedding invitations. Some opt to list names based on their preference or what feels right for their dynamic. Others take turns, using different name orders on different stationery pieces. Ultimately, the decision reflects the couple's unique relationship and how they choose to present themselves as a unit.

Host Line Wording

It's worth noting that the order of names may also depend on who is hosting the wedding. If the bride's parents are hosting, her name typically comes first, followed by the groom's full name. If both sets of parents are hosting, the bride's parents' names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents, and then the couple's names, with the bride's name preceding the groom's.

The day of the week and month are always capitalised

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure your invitations are both elegant and grammatically correct. Firstly, the day of the week and the month are the only parts of the date that should be capitalised. For example, if your wedding is on the 15th of September 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the correct way to write the date and time would be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"".

The day of the week usually precedes the date and is written in full, with no numerals. The day of the week and the month are the only parts of the date that are capitalised. Traditionally, only the first letter of the year is capitalised, and no portion of the time line is ever capitalised. The time of day is also written out in full using "o'clock" or "half after", and "evening" begins at five o'clock, while "afternoon" is used for times between noon and four o'clock.

> "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, at six o'clock in the evening."

This format ensures that your invitations are not only correct but also elegant and easy for your guests to understand.

In addition to date and time formats, there are a few other grammatical considerations to keep in mind when addressing your wedding invitations. All words should be spelled out in full, including road names and state names. Honorifics such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Dr." may be abbreviated, and "St." or "Sts." can be used for "Saint" or "Saints". When indicating numerical time, use "a.m." and "p.m." and remember to separate "Junior" or "Senior" from the last name with a comma.

The time of day is spelled out

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are several different components to consider, from the host line to the dress code. One important aspect is the date and time, which are typically spelled out in full.

For a formal invitation, the time of day is usually spelled out in full, using "o'clock" or "after". For example, 4:00 pm can be written as "four o'clock" or "four o'clock in the afternoon". Similarly, 4:30 pm can be phrased as "half after four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock". It is important to note that evening begins at 5 o'clock, with the hours between noon and 4 o'clock considered the afternoon.

• "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, at six o'clock in the evening"
• "Friday, the twenty-ninth of April, at half past four in the afternoon"
• "The fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"

In terms of formatting, it is recommended to use upper-case letters for the names of days and months, while using lower-case for numbers. Punctuation should be minimal, and only used after courtesy titles. Abbreviations should be avoided, with the exception of "Mr." for "Mister".

While these guidelines are suggested for formal and traditional invitations, they can be adapted for more casual weddings. Ultimately, the wording can be tailored to match the style and tone of the wedding.

The venue's street address is usually not included

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. While you want to provide your guests with all the necessary information, you also want to ensure that your invitations adhere to certain standards of etiquette.

One important aspect is the inclusion of venue information. Traditionally, the street address of the venue is not included on the wedding invitation. This is because the invitation is meant to convey essential details such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception in a concise and elegant manner. The full address of the venue may be seen as unnecessary information that clutters the invitation.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the wedding is taking place at a private residence or an unlisted address, it is appropriate to include the street address to ensure that guests can easily locate the venue. In such cases, the street name (Street/Avenue/Road) should be written out in full, followed by the city and state. Abbreviations for street names and state names are generally not used, as it is considered more formal to spell them out. For example:

> 16 Faux Road

> Fremont, California

Or

> 16 Faux Rd

> Fremont, CA

Zip codes are also typically omitted from wedding invitations, as they are not necessary for guests to find the venue.

If the reception is held at the same location as the ceremony, a simple phrase such as "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" can be included. This informs guests that they can remain at the ceremony venue for the reception, eliminating the need to provide a separate address.

On the other hand, if the reception is held at a different location, the invitation can include the venue name and city on a separate line or on a separate insert card, known as a reception card. This approach ensures that guests have clear information about both the ceremony and reception venues without cluttering the invitation with too much information.

In summary, while the venue's street address is usually not included on wedding invitations, there are exceptions for private residences or unlisted addresses. Providing clear and concise venue information is essential, and the use of reception cards can help ensure your guests have all the details they need to celebrate your special day.

'Reception to follow' or 'Dinner and dancing to follow' are used when the ceremony and reception are at the same location

When the wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, it is customary to include a line at the bottom of the invitation indicating that the reception will follow the ceremony. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as:

• "Reception to follow"
• "Reception immediately following"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow" (if a full meal is not served)
• "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing" (if a full meal is not served)

Including this information on the invitation is a way to let guests know what to expect and that they will not need to travel to a different location for the reception. It is also a way to set the tone for the reception, whether it be formal or more lighthearted and playful.

It is worth noting that some couples choose to include a separate reception card in the invitation suite, even when the ceremony and reception are at the same location. This can be done to provide additional details about the reception, such as the start time or accommodations. However, it is not necessary to include a separate reception card when the ceremony and reception are at the same venue.

Overall, the choice of wording for the reception line is a matter of personal preference and can be tailored to fit the style and tone of the wedding invitation.

Frequently asked questions