Guide To Mentioning A Second Line In Wedding Invitation

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included no matter the style or tone. These are: a host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date and time, the location, and reception details. The host line is where the name(s) of those hosting the event, typically the people paying, are listed. This is followed by the request line, where guests are invited to join the celebration. The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's. The date, time, and location of the ceremony are then listed, with the option to include the number of guests and dress code information. Lastly, the reception details line notifies guests of what will follow the ceremony, such as dinner and dancing or cocktails and canapes.

Honoring deceased parents: Include the phrase the late before their name

If you want to honour your deceased parents on your wedding invitations, you can include their names alongside yours. Here are some examples of how to do this:

Both Parents Deceased

If both your parents are deceased, you can follow this format:

> [Your name]

> child of the late [parent's name] and [parent's name]

> [Your name]

> child of [parent's name] and [parent's name]

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

For example:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding on the fifth of May, two thousand and seventeen, at one o'clock in the afternoon. The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California. Dinner and dancing to follow. Black tie required.

One Parent Deceased

If one of your parents is deceased, you can use the following format:

> [Your name]

> child of [living parent's name] and the late [deceased parent's name]

> [Your name]

> child of [living parent's name] and [their name]

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

For example:

> 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 on Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand and twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon. [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

Step-Parent and One Parent Deceased

If you have a step-parent and one of your parents is deceased, you can list them both. Here's an example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory, Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner, and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland on the sixteenth of January, two thousand and eighteen, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport, California. Reception immediately following.

Single Parent, Widow or Widower

If you prefer not to include your deceased parent on your wedding invitation, that is also perfectly acceptable. Here are some examples:

> Mrs. Angela Eldridge requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Trevor Patrick Everett on Saturday, the twenty-first of July, two thousand and twenty-six, at six o'clock in the evening. 1982 North Bay Avenue, Knox Bay, Rhode Island.

> Mr. Alistair Schiller requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of Moira Schiller and Porter Blackman's daughter on Saturday, the twenty-first of July, two thousand and twenty-six, at six o'clock in the evening.

Host line: The opening line names the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. Here are some examples of how to phrase the host line in different scenarios:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names for a very formal wedding. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names:

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the middle name is included)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)

> Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

List the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line:

> Jane Smith

> Robert Smith

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design:

> Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)

> Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

Couple Is Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, you may want to add a line such as:

> Together with their families

> Together with our families

> Together with their parents

Couple Is Hosting Themselves

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

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

Attendance request: Let guests know what they're being invited to

The attendance request line is where you extend an invitation to your wedding celebration and let guests know exactly what they're being invited to. This is your chance to set the tone for your big day and get your guests excited about attending. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect attendance request line:

Choosing the Right Wording

The wording you choose for the attendance request line should reflect the level of formality you want to convey. If you're having a traditional or religious wedding, you might want to use more formal language such as:

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

For a more casual or non-religious wedding, you can use light and playful wording such as:

• "Come celebrate with us"
• "Join us for a night of fun and festivities"
• "Let's eat, drink, and be married!"
• "You're invited to share in our joy"

Honoring Deceased Parents

If you want to honor a deceased parent on your invitations, you can include their name in the attendance request line. Here's an example:

"Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Emma Smith, to John Brown..."

Including Step-Parents

If you have step-parents, you can also honor them by including their names in the attendance request line. Here's an example:

"Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith, together with Mrs. Jane Doe, request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children, Emma Smith and John Brown..."

Multiple Hosts

If both sets of parents or the couple and their parents are hosting the wedding, you can include all their names in the attendance request line. Here's an example:

"Together with their parents, Emma Smith and John Brown request the honor of your presence at their wedding..."

The Couple as Hosts

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the attendance request line can be a simple and direct invitation:

"Emma Smith and John Brown request the pleasure of your company at their wedding..."

Setting the Tone

Remember, the attendance request line is a great opportunity to set the tone for your wedding. Whether you want a formal and elegant affair or a fun and casual celebration, choose wording that reflects the style and atmosphere you want to create.

• "With great pleasure, we invite you to celebrate with us"
• "Kindly join us as we exchange our vows"
• "You are cordially invited to share in our happiness"
• "Let's celebrate love! You are invited to our wedding"

Couple's names: The main event

The main event! This is where you get to make it all about the happy couple.

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first (i.e. if one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, and their child's name should follow). If the couple is hosting themselves, it's up to you to decide whose name comes first.

If you're using traditional wedding invitation wording, follow these rules to format names:

• Capitalise proper names and titles
• Don't use punctuation, except after courtesy titles
• Avoid abbreviations; in general, spell everything out except courtesy titles
• Don't spell out courtesy titles, except for "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors
• Consider using both partners' full legal names. If you prefer to go by a nickname, use it on the save-the-date or other less formal pieces of the invitation suite
• Drop the bride's and/or groom's middle names if they become too long to fit on one line
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Talia Camila Flores, to Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne, together with their families, invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"

Date, time and location: Include the full address for a destination wedding

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter the style or tone you choose. The date, time, and location details are crucial, especially for a destination wedding, to ensure your guests can plan their trip effectively. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs on this topic.

Date, Time, and Location:

For formal weddings, the date and time are traditionally written out in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month are capitalised, and the year is in lowercase. The time of day is also usually spelled out, such as "four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock."

However, for casual weddings, using numerals is perfectly acceptable. For instance, "Saturday, 15 September 2021, 4:30 pm."

The location should include the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, be sure to include the country as well. For instance, "The Ritz-Carlton, 999 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Cityland, CA 12345, USA."

If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate line or on a reception card included with the invitation.

Providing Clear Information:

It's essential to strike a balance between providing clear information and keeping the invitation concise. You don't want to overwhelm your guests with too much text, but you also want to ensure they have the details they need. If you have a wedding website, you can direct guests there for additional information on travel, accommodations, and other wedding-related events.

Setting the Tone:

The wording you choose for the date, time, and location can also help set the tone for your wedding. Formal wording, such as "request the pleasure of your company" and spelling out the date and time in full, indicates a more traditional and elegant affair.

On the other hand, casual and modern invitations may use phrases like "join us for a celebration" and use numerals for the date and time. This sets a more relaxed and informal tone.

Destination Wedding Wording:

For a destination wedding, consider incorporating the location and theme into your invitation wording. This adds a unique and personalised touch. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you can use phrases like "sandy shores" and "tropical paradise." If your wedding is in a European castle, you might say, "Join us for an enchanting evening in a fairytale castle."

You can also include a personal touch by adding a special message or anecdote. For instance, "We've traveled the world together, and now we invite you to join us on our greatest adventure yet!"

Sample Wording:

Here's an example of wedding invitation wording that includes the date, time, and location details:

"Together with their families,

Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes

Request the honor of your presence at their wedding

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

At half after four in the afternoon

At The Beachside Resort, 123 Ocean Boulevard, Seaside, CA 12345

Reception to follow."

Frequently asked questions