Lyla Dejesus
Wedding invitations are a tricky business, especially when it comes to including the names of deceased parents. While some people prefer to stick to tradition and only include the names of the hosts, others find ways to honour their late parents on their special day. There are many ways to do this, from the traditional to the creative, and it's a very personal choice. So, how do you navigate this potentially tricky situation?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wording | "child of [Parent's Name] and the late [Parent's Name]" |
| Deceased parent's name placement | After the surviving parent's name |
| Honouring deceased parent | Include their name on the wedding invitation, reserve a seat, memorial candle, etc. |
What You'll Learn
- How to word a wedding invite when one parent is deceased?
- What to do if both parents are deceased?
- How to include a deceased parent when the surviving parent has remarried?
- How to include a deceased parent when the surviving parent is a widow or widower?
- Alternative ways to honour a deceased parent at a wedding
How to word a wedding invite when one parent is deceased
When it comes to wedding invitations, it's traditional to include parents' names, and it can feel tricky to word the invite when a parent has passed away. Here are some suggestions on how to honour a deceased parent through the wording of your wedding invitation:
Including a Deceased Parent's Name
If you wish to include your deceased parent's name on the invitation, here is an example of how to word it:
[Engaged person's name]
Child of [parent's name] and the late [parent's name]
[Engaged person's name]
Child of [parent's name] and [parent's name]
Request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
By including "late" before the deceased parent's name, you honour their memory while making it clear that they are no longer living.
Alternative Wording
If you are uncomfortable with the above format, you can try alternative wordings such as:
[Engaged person's name], son/daughter of [parent's name] and the late [parent's name]
Or
[Engaged person's name]
Together with their families
Requests the honour of your presence at their marriage.
Excluding a Deceased Parent's Name
If you prefer not to include your deceased parent's name on the invitation, there are other ways to honour their memory during the wedding. Some ideas include:
- Memorial candle: Light a memorial candle to allow guests to join in remembrance.
- Reserved seat: Reserve a seat at the ceremony and reception to imagine your parent being there with you.
- Wedding program: Include a note "in loving memory" of your parent in the wedding program.
- Toast: Raise a toast to honour your parent during the reception.
- Memorial poems: Dedicate a short memorial poem during the ceremony or reception.
- Flowers: Hold a bouquet or display flowers that remind you of your deceased parent.
Remember, the most important thing is to follow your heart and do what feels right for you. Your guests will appreciate the tribute, and your parent's memory will be honoured.
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What to do if both parents are deceased
If both of your parents are deceased, you may still want to find ways to honour their memory on your wedding day. One way to do this is to include their names on your wedding invitation. Here are some ways to do this:
Wording Your Wedding Invitation
Including your parents' names on your wedding invitation can feel tricky, especially if they are both deceased. Here is a traditional example of how to word your invitation:
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> child of the late [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]
>
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> child of the late [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]
>
> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
In this format, both parents are honoured by being included on the invitation, while it is clear that the engaged couple is sending the invitations, not the deceased parents.
Including Other Family Members
If you would like to include other family members on the invitation, such as grandparents, you can use the following format:
> [Engaged Person's Grandparent Name] and [Engaged Person's Grandparent Name]
>
> [Engaged Person's Parent's Name] and [Engaged Person's Parent's Name]
>
> request the honour of your presence at the marriage of
>
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> child of the late [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]
>
> [Engaged Person's Name]
In this example, the grandparents are listed in the parents' place as the ones extending the invitation, while the deceased parents are still honoured.
Not Including Deceased Parents
If you prefer not to include your deceased parents on the invitation, that is also perfectly acceptable. Here are some examples of wording the invitation from one parent only:
> [Parent's Name]
>
> requests the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their [daughter/son]
>
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> on [date]
>
> at [time]
>
> [location]
Remember, there are many other ways to honour your deceased parents during your wedding celebration, such as lighting a memorial candle, reserving a seat for them, or including a note "in loving memory" in the wedding program.
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How to include a deceased parent when the surviving parent has remarried
If you want to include a deceased parent on your wedding invitations when the surviving parent has remarried, there are a few ways to do so. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to include them:
Etiquette for Wedding Invitations:
It is traditional to include parents' names on wedding invitations, indicating that they are inviting guests to the celebration. The general format is as follows:
> [Engaged Person's Name]
> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]
> [Engaged Person's Name]
> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]
> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
Including a Deceased Parent:
If one parent has passed away, you can still include them on the invitation by listing them as "the late" [Parent's Name]. Here is an example:
> [Engaged Person's Name]
> child of [Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]
> [Engaged Person's Name]
> child of [Parent's Name] and [Step-Parent's Name]
> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
By including "late" before the deceased parent's name, it is clear that they are no longer living, but their memory is honoured on the invitation.
Honoring the Deceased Parent:
Whether you include the deceased parent on the invitation or not, there are other ways to honour their memory during the wedding:
- Light a memorial candle, allowing guests to join in remembrance.
- Reserve a seat for them at the ceremony and reception.
- Include a note "in loving memory" of them in the wedding program.
- Give a toast or read a memorial poem during the ceremony or reception.
- Hold a bouquet of flowers that reminds you of them.
These ideas will help you include your loved one in your special day and carry their memory with you.
Personal Preference:
Remember, this is your wedding day, and you can choose how many names to include on the invitation. You may want to keep it simple or include extended family members. The most important thing is to follow your heart and do what feels right for you.
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How to include a deceased parent when the surviving parent is a widow or widower
If you are a widow or widower and want to include your deceased spouse on your wedding invitation, there are a few ways to do so. It is traditional to include parents' names on wedding invitations, and you can honour your late spouse's memory by including their name as well. Here are some options for how to do this:
Option 1:
[Your name]
And the late [Deceased spouse's name]
[Your name]
Child of [Your parent's name] and [Your parent's name]
Request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
Option 2:
[Engaged person's name]
Child of [Your name] and the late [Deceased spouse's name]
[Engaged person's name]
Child of [Engaged person's parent's name] and [Engaged person's parent's name]
Request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
Option 3:
If you prefer a less formal approach, you can use the following format:
[Your name]
And the late [Deceased spouse's name]
The families and friends of
Invite you to the celebration of their marriage
[Date, time and location]
Remember, it is ultimately your decision whether or not to include your deceased spouse on your wedding invitation. If you choose not to, that is perfectly acceptable. You may also choose to honour your late spouse in other ways during the wedding ceremony or reception.
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Alternative ways to honour a deceased parent at a wedding
It is natural to feel the pain of losing a parent, and you may want to honour their memory on your wedding day. Here are some alternative ways to do so:
During the Speeches
- Read a memorial poem. Poetry can help express your feelings and honour your parent's memory.
- Toast your parent with their favourite drink. Encourage your guests to join you in honouring their memory.
- Read a letter from your parent or one that you have written to them. This can be done privately or aloud during the wedding.
- Hold a moment of silence to reflect on their memory.
- Say a prayer or share a meaningful quote that reminds you of them.
During the Ceremony
- Leave a chair open for your parent as a way to remember their presence.
- Light a memorial candle to symbolise their spirit being present.
- Write a message in their honour in the wedding program. A simple "In Loving Memory" tribute or a quote can be included.
- Carry a memento of theirs with you, such as a piece of jewellery or a handkerchief.
- Display a framed picture or portrait of them. You can hire an artist to create a special illustration or choose a meaningful photo.
During the Reception
- Create a commemorative presentation with slide shows, videos, and memories of your parent.
- Play their favourite song to start the party or during a special dance.
- Create an "In Memoriam" table with framed photos, memory boxes, and other sentimental items.
- Serve their favourite food or drinks, such as their signature cocktail or a special recipe.
- Give a wedding favour in their honour, such as their favourite sweets or miniature bottles of their favourite drink.
- Donate to a charity in their memory, supporting a cause they were passionate about.
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Frequently asked questions
You can include your deceased parent's name by adding "child of [Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]" before the names of the engaged couple.
You can include both by writing: " [Engaged Person's Name], child of [Parent's Name] and [Step-Parent's Name], the late [Deceased Parent's Name]".
When both parents are deceased, you can follow a similar format as above and list both parents as "late". For example: " [Engaged Person's Name], child of the late [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]".
It is generally not considered proper etiquette to include a deceased person on an invitation. However, some people choose to do so as a way to honour their memory. Ultimately, it is up to the couple's preference.
There are many other ways to honour a deceased parent at your wedding. You can light a memorial candle, reserve them a seat at the ceremony and reception, include a tribute in your program, give a toast, read a memorial poem, or hold a bouquet that reminds you of them.
