Etiquette Guide: Naming Groom's Parents On Wedding Invitation

Wedding invitation wording is an important consideration for couples, especially when it comes to including the names of the groom's parents. While traditions may vary, the key factor is usually who is hosting or financing the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents host and pay for the wedding, but this is not always the case, and it is becoming increasingly common for multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves to host and contribute financially. When the groom's parents are the primary hosts, their names are typically listed first on the invitation, followed by the couple's names and the bride's parents. However, including the groom's parents' names on the invitation can be handled in various ways depending on the level of formality desired and the specific family dynamics involved.

The groom's parents' names are listed after the groom and before the bride's parents

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different ways to approach listing the names of the groom's parents. While traditions may dictate one way of doing things, modern couples often prefer to adapt these traditions to suit their unique circumstances. Here is a guide to listing the groom's parents' names after the groom and before the bride's parents:

Traditional Wedding Invitation Etiquette

In traditional wedding invitations, the bride's parents are typically listed first as they are considered the hosts of the wedding. This format signifies that the bride's parents are financially responsible for the majority of the event. The groom's parents' names are then listed after the groom's name. Here is an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wayne Adamson request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Amelia Rose, to Mr. Liam Quinlan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen, on Saturday, the fifth of June.

Modern Adaptations

Nowadays, it is not uncommon for multiple sets of parents or even the couple themselves to host the wedding and be listed first on the invitation. This is especially true when both sets of parents contribute financially to the wedding. When the groom's parents are contributing, it is considered polite and proper to include their names on the invitation. One way to do this is to list both sets of parents as hosts at the top of the invitation:

> Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning and Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children, Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan Cullen, on Saturday, the fifth of June.

Alternatively, you can begin the invitation with a short statement that includes both families:

> Together with their families, Jane Smith and Mark Jones invite you to celebrate their wedding on Saturday, the fifth of June.

Exceptions and Personal Preferences

It is important to remember that wedding invitation etiquette is no longer bound by strict rules. There are many reasons why a couple may choose to depart from tradition. For example, they may wish to omit a parent's name or include the names of parents who are not contributing financially. Ultimately, the decision of what to include on a wedding invitation is a personal choice that should be made by the bride and groom, taking into consideration their families' preferences.

The groom's parents are hosting

When the groom's parents are hosting the wedding, the invitation wording is slightly different from the traditional format. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation when the groom's parents are hosting:

Wording Etiquette

It is customary to list the individuals hosting the wedding first on the invitation. This indicates who is primarily shouldering the financial burden of the event. In this case, the groom's parents' names would appear at the top, followed by the bride's parents' names. Here is an example of the wording:

> Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Liam Quinlan to Amelia Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning.

Including the Bride's Surname

On a formal invitation, it is customary to include the bride's full name, including her surname. This is especially important when the groom's parents are hosting, as it clarifies who the bride is.

Variations in Wording

There are a few ways to vary the wording while still conveying that the groom's parents are hosting. Here are some options:

> Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their son Edward Michael Johnson to Anne Elizabeth Smith...

> Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of Amelia Rose Manning to their son Liam Quinlan...

> GROOM'S PARENTS request the honour of your presence at the marriage of BRIDE'S FIRST MIDDLE LAST NAME to their son GROOM’S FIRST MIDDLE NAME...

> GROOM'S PARENTS have the honour of announcing the marriage of BRIDE'S FIRST MIDDLE LAST to their son GROOM’S FIRST MIDDLE...

Modern Adaptations

While the above examples follow traditional etiquette, modern couples often prefer a less formal approach. Here are some more contemporary ways to word the invitation when the groom's parents are hosting:

> Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning and Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan.

> Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of Amelia Rose Manning to their son Liam Quinlan.

> Because you have shared in their lives by your friendship and love, you are invited to share in the joy of Anne Elizabeth Smith and Edward Michael Johnson as they exchange marriage vows and begin their new life together...

Religious Variations

If the wedding is taking place in a religious setting, the wording can be adjusted accordingly. Here is an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Amelia Rose Manning to their son Liam Quinlan on Saturday, the fifth of June two thousand twenty at half after ten in the morning at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, New York.

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can adapt the wording to suit your personal style and the dynamics of your family. The most important thing is to convey the correct information clearly and gracefully.

The groom's parents are married

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are many options to consider. The traditional format includes the bride's parents as hosts at the top of the invitation, even if the event is formal. However, modern couples often include both sets of parents as hosts, especially if both are contributing financially.

If the groom's parents are married, they are typically addressed as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the father's first, middle, and last names spelled out. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wayne Adamson". If the groom's parents have different last names, both their full names can be included: "Mr. Thomas Wayne Adamson and Mrs. Cynthia Adamson".

Both sets of parents included as hosts:

• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning and Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.
• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning together with Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen request the honour of your presence at the wedding of Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan Cullen.

Bride's parents as hosts:

• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Amelia Rose to Liam Quinlan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen.
• Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning invite you to witness and celebrate the marriage of their daughter Amelia Rose to Liam Quinlan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen.

Couple as hosts:

• Together with their families, Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan Cullen invite you to share in the joy of their wedding.
• Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan Cullen request the honour of your presence at their wedding.

Remember, these days, there is a lot less pressure to follow traditional invitation etiquette. Feel free to adapt the wording to your preferences and what suits your situation.

The groom's parents are divorced

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different approaches you can take, depending on your unique family situation and preferences. Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate this sometimes tricky situation when the groom's parents are divorced:

• Traditional approach: According to traditional wedding invitation etiquette, the bride's parents are typically listed first on the invitation, especially if they are the primary hosts or financial contributors. In this case, you can simply follow the standard format and omit the groom's parents' names. This approach may be suitable if the groom's parents are divorced and you want to avoid any potential complications or family politics.
• Inclusion of both sets of parents: If you want to include both sets of parents on the invitation, you can list them separately. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Name] [Mother's Name] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their son [Groom's Name] to [Bride's Name], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Name] [Mother's Name]." This approach acknowledges both sets of parents and can be a gracious way to include them in the celebration.
• Modern approach: Nowadays, many couples choose to host their own weddings and may prefer a more modern and streamlined invitation style. In this case, you can simply include the names of the bride and groom, omitting the parents' names altogether. This approach can be especially suitable if the groom's parents are divorced, as it avoids the need to navigate complex family dynamics.
• Listing divorced parents separately: If you want to include the groom's parents but they are divorced, it is customary to list their names separately. The mother's name is typically listed first. For example, "Ms. [Mother's Name] and Mr. [Father's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son [Groom's Name] to [Bride's Name]." This approach respects the separation of the divorced parents while still including them in the invitation.
• Inclusion of step-parents: If either of the groom's parents has remarried, you can choose to include the step-parent on the invitation. The mother's name (including the step-mother) is still listed first, followed by the father's name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. [Step-Father's Name] and Mr. [Father's Name] request the honour of your presence..." This approach acknowledges the step-parent while also respecting the divorced status of the original parents.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you should do what feels right for your unique family situation. Communicate with your parents and try to find a solution that honours everyone's contributions and feelings.

The groom's parents are co-hosting

When the groom's parents are co-hosting the wedding, they can be added to the top of the invitation. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation when the groom's parents are co-hosting:

Formal Wording

• Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name] and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.
• Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name] together with Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.
• Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name] and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children, [Bride] and [Groom].

Informal Wording

• [Groom's parents' first and last names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.
• [Groom's Mother's first and last name] and [Groom's Father's first and last name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.
• [Groom's Mother's first and last name] and [Groom's Father's first and last name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children, [Bride] and [Groom].

It is worth noting that there is a lot less pressure to follow traditional invitation etiquette nowadays, especially if the couple is self-funding their celebration or planning a more informal event. Ultimately, the decision on what to include on the wedding invitation is a personal choice that should be made by the couple.

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