Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide To Wording

Wedding invitations are an important part of wedding planning. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel. They convey critical information about the wedding, such as the date, time, and location, and set the tone for the event. The wording of wedding invitations can vary depending on the formality of the occasion and the hosts of the wedding. The invitation should include the names of the couple, the request to attend the wedding, and the reception information. It is also important to consider the dress code and RSVP instructions.

Honoring deceased parents

Honouring a deceased parent in a wedding invitation can be tricky to word, but there are several ways to do so. Traditionally, deceased parents are not listed on the invitation but are remembered in the programme. However, if you want to include a deceased parent, you can rearrange the standard wording.

Bride's Parent Has Passed Away

Mrs Sharon Henderson

And the late Mr Nathan Henderson

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their daughter

Preston John Brackman

On Saturday, the twenty-first of July

Two-thousand and twenty-six

At six o'clock in the evening

Dripping Springs, Texas

Groom's Parent Has Passed Away

Mr and Mrs Jay Courier

Mrs Hannah Fullerton and the late Andrew Fullerton

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their children

On Saturday, the twenty-first of July

Two-thousand and twenty-six

At six o'clock in the evening

912 Sixth Street South

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Single Parent, Widow or Widower

If you prefer, you can choose not to include a deceased parent on your wedding invitation. Here is an example:

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

Step-Parent and Deceased Parent

You can also include both a step-parent and a deceased parent on your invitation:

Moira and Alistair Schiller

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of her

And the late Porter Blackman's daughter

On Saturday, the twenty-first of July

Two-thousand and twenty-six

At six o'clock in the evening

Including step-parents

Step-Parents as Hosts

If your step-parent is hosting or partially hosting the wedding, their name should appear on the invitation. The traditional structure is to list the bride's parents as hosts first, followed by the groom's parents. However, this can be adapted to suit your family dynamics and preferences. Here are some examples:

> Mr. & Mrs. Flores, Mr. & Mrs. Hill, Mr. & Mrs. Byrne and Mr. & Mrs. Lin request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne.

> Mr. & Mrs. Nolan Andrews-Butler, along with Mr. Bruno Walters and his spouse, request the honour of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Simone Louise, to Paul Lima, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Lima.

If you are a same-sex couple, you can list the names of the hosts in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Step-Parents as Non-Hosts

If you want to include your step-parents in the invitation but they are not hosting, you can do so by listing them individually or referring to them as your biological parents' spouses. Here is an example:

> Mrs. Riley Larson, along with Mr. Jonathan Larson, request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Emily Elizabeth, to Mark Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Brown.

General Guidelines

• Use full names and omit titles such as Dr. or Atty. unless they are necessary to distinguish between relatives with the same name (e.g., Sr., Jr., III).
• Always double-check the spelling of names and other details. Ask your bridal party or a close friend to proofread as well.
• Consult your parents and step-parents about the wording. This is especially important if you plan to include a step-parent, as your biological parent may have a different opinion.
• The conjunction "and" between two names indicates that those individuals are married. If your parents are divorced, use a line break instead.

The couple's names

• Placement of Names: The names of the couple are typically displayed prominently and in larger text. They may be placed at the centre, or towards the top or bottom of the invitation, depending on the design.
• Names Order for Different-Sex Couples: For heterosexual couples, tradition dictates that the bride's name precedes the groom's name. If the bride's parents' names are listed as hosts at the top, the bride's name on this line can be her first and middle name, without the last name. In that case, the groom's full name, including his last name, is used.
• Names Order for Same-Sex Couples: For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. The order of names is a matter of preference and can be based on alphabetical order or what sounds better.
• Use of Titles and Full Names: For formal invitations, consider using titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Mx.) and full legal names, including middle names. Avoid abbreviations and spell out everything, except courtesy titles. For informal invitations, using first names only is also acceptable.
• Name Length: If the full names of the couple are too long to fit on one line, consider dropping middle names or using nicknames, especially if they are more commonly used.
• Last Name Inclusion: If the couple has different last names, ensure both are included. This is especially important if one or both individuals have unique last names that guests may not associate with them.
• Consistency with Host Line: If the host line mentions the couple's parents, the order of names in the host line may dictate the order of the couple's names. For example, if one set of parents is hosting, their child's name typically follows.
• Consideration for Divorced Parents: If the couple's parents are divorced and both are included in the host line, the bride or groom may consider including their last name, especially if multiple sets of parents with different last names precede their name.
• Honouring a Deceased Parent: If honouring a deceased parent, the couple may include this information after their names. For example, "Jane Smith, daughter of the late Mr. John Smith."

Ceremony details

The ceremony details are a crucial aspect of your wedding invitation, providing guests with essential information about the big day. Here are some tips to guide you through crafting this section of the invitation:

Date, Time, and Location:

• Spell out the date and time: For formal invitations, write out the date, day of the week, month, and year in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon."
• Use numerical figures for modern invites: If you opt for a more contemporary style, it's common to use numbers for the date and time. Ensure you choose a legible font to avoid confusion.
• Specify the location: Include the name and full address of your wedding venue. If your celebration is taking place abroad or at a private residence, provide additional details such as the country or street address.

Tone and Formality:

The wording and style of your invitation can hint at the formality of your wedding. Here are some tips to convey the tone:

• Traditional and formal: Use formal language and spelling, such as "honour" instead of "honor." Spell out dates and times and include middle names.
• Casual and informal: Opt for conversational language and use numerical figures for dates and times. This approach is suitable for small or laid-back weddings.
• Creative and themed: If your wedding has a theme, feel free to reflect it in your invitation wording. Add a quirky request to attend or a playful phrase that matches your theme.

Dress Code:

Including dress code information is optional but beneficial for your guests. Here's how to approach it:

• Black-tie or formal attire: If your wedding is black-tie, it's essential to specify this on the invitation. Formal language and spelling in the rest of the invitation can also imply a formal dress code.
• Casual attire: A simpler, more relaxed invitation style suggests a casual dress code. You may also use a separate details card or your wedding website to convey attire expectations.

Additional Details:

If there are other important aspects of the ceremony, consider including them:

• Number of guests: Indicate if guests are allowed to bring a plus one or if children are welcome. You can subtly convey this information by writing the guest's name on the envelope or including "and Family."
• Transportation and accommodations: If your venue is at a private residence or difficult to find, consider providing additional directions or transportation information. You can include this on a separate details card or your wedding website.

Post-ceremony plans

The post-ceremony plans section of your wedding invitation is where you can let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. It's a great way to set the tone for your reception and ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here are some ideas for what to include:

• Location details: If your reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include the address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information.
• Timing: If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, let guests know what time to arrive.
• Activities: Give guests a sense of what the reception will entail. For example, "Dinner and dancing to follow" or "Drinks and canapes to follow."
• Attire: While the dress code is often included earlier in the invitation, you can also add it to the post-ceremony section if it's specifically related to the reception activities. For example, "Black-tie optional" or "Cocktail attire."
• Transportation: If you are providing transportation between the ceremony and reception venues, include this information so guests can plan accordingly.

Formal Post-Ceremony Wording:

• "An evening of celebration to follow"
• "Reception to follow at [reception venue name and address]"
• "Dinner to follow at [reception venue name and address]"

Informal Post-Ceremony Wording:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Followed by drinks and dancing"
• "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow"
• "Adult reception to follow"

Remember to include any other pertinent information that will help your guests fully enjoy the celebration. For example, if there will be a cocktail hour or if the reception is at a different location, these are good details to include.

You can also use this section to set the tone for the reception and give guests a sense of what to expect, whether it's a formal sit-down dinner or a casual garden party.

Feel free to get creative with your wording while ensuring that all the essential details are communicated clearly.

Frequently asked questions