Guide To Addressing Wedding Invites: Parents' Names

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to including parents' names. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated and are there to serve as a guideline. Here are some tips on how to include parents' names on your wedding invitations:

- Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, especially if both parents are financially contributing to the wedding.

- If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can omit the host line or start the invitation with a warm introduction such as Together with full hearts or With hearts full of love and joy.

- When including parents' names, use their first and last names. For very formal weddings, include middle names as well. For divorced parents, list the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line.

- If you want to honour a deceased parent, you can include their name alongside the couple's names. For example: Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez and the late Robert Martinez.

- The wedding invitation wording can also reflect the level of formality of your wedding. For a formal wedding, spell out the date and time in full and use the full names of the hosts. For a casual wedding, use numerical figures for the date and time and a more conversational tone.

Married Couple With Same Last Name

There are a few ways to go about this, depending on who is hosting the wedding. If the married couple with the same last name are hosting the wedding, the invitation could be worded as follows:

"Together with their families, [Bride] and [Groom] invite you to celebrate with them...

If the bride's parents are hosting, the invitation would traditionally be worded as follows:

"Mr. and Mrs. [Father's First Name] [Shared Last Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [Bride]...

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you are including the name of a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the invitation could be worded as follows:

"[Bride] and [Groom] invite you to join them for their wedding day...

Married Couple With Different Last Names

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few general rules to follow, but ultimately, the most important thing is to create an invitation that represents you and your partner. Here are some tips and guidelines for addressing wedding invitations to married couples with different last names:

Host Line

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation. However, it has become common to include both sets of parents as hosts or even the couple and their parents. If you want to honour your parents as the hosts, you can use the following examples as a guide:

• "Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith are delighted to invite you to the wedding of their daughter..."

If your parents have the same last name, you can also use the following formats:

• "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" (formal)
• "Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith" (formal, includes both first names)

Request Line

This is where you ask your guests to join you on your special day. Some examples include:

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

Couple's Names

Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. However, you can arrange the names according to your preference, especially for same-sex couples. Here are some options:

• Full names, including middle names (for very formal weddings)
• First and last names only
• Nicknames or first names only (for a less formal feel)

Date and Time

For a formal invitation, write out the full date and time, including the day of the week, date, year, and time of day (e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon"). You can omit the "a.m." or "p.m." if it's obvious from the context.

Reception Information

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different location, include the venue name and address on a separate line or insert card.

Dress Code

Including a dress code on the invitation is helpful for guests. If you're having a black-tie event, it's essential to mention it. Otherwise, your guests will infer the dress code based on the formality of the invitation. Some common dress code indications include:

• Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suit or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach casual (shirts, pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your unique style and preferences. Feel free to get creative and make your wedding invitations a true reflection of you and your partner!

Married Couple With One Hyphenated Last Name

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, the outer envelope is the one that the post office sees, and the inner envelope is inside. The general format for a married couple with one hyphenated last name is as follows:

Outer envelope: "Mr. [Husband's first name] [Hyphenated last name] and Mrs. [Wife's first name] [Hyphenated last name]"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. [Hyphenated last name]" or " [Husband's first name] and [Wife's first name]"

For example, if the husband's name is Brian and the wife's name is Jane, and their shared hyphenated last name is Smith-Johnson, the format would be:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Brian Smith-Johnson and Mrs. Jane Smith-Johnson"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith-Johnson" or "Brian and Jane"

However, it's worth noting that many modern women may have a strong aversion to having their name left out and lumped in with their husbands. In this case, the wife's first and last name can be included in the outer envelope as well:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Brian Smith-Johnson and Mrs. Jane Smith-Johnson"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Smith-Johnson and Mrs. Smith-Johnson" or "Brian and Jane"

Additionally, if the couple is same-sex, either name can go first.

Unmarried Couple Living in the Same Household

When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples living together, there are a few etiquette guidelines to follow. Here are four to six paragraphs with a detailed guide:

When addressing the outer envelope for an unmarried couple living together, it is essential to include both guests' full names – first and last. For example, if you are inviting Mr. Aaron Triguiero and Mr. Gabriel Reyes, the outer envelope would be addressed to "Mr. Aaron Triguiero and Mr. Gabriel Reyes". It is important to include both names, even if you are closer to one of them. This shows respect for their relationship and avoids any potential hurt feelings.

For the inner envelope, you have a bit more flexibility. You can use their full names again, as in the outer envelope, or you can use their first names only. Using the previous example, the inner envelope could be addressed to "Mr. Triguiero and Mr. Reyes" or "Aaron and Gabriel". The inner envelope is more informal, so you can choose the option that feels most comfortable for you.

If one or both of the guests have a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military rank, it is proper etiquette to include this on the outer envelope. For example, if one of the guests is a doctor, the outer envelope could be addressed to "Dr. Aaron Triguiero and Mr. Gabriel Reyes". The inner envelope could then be more informal, such as "Dr. Triguiero and Mr. Reyes" or "Aaron and Gabriel".

When addressing the envelopes, it is important to consider the order of the guests' names. If you are equally close to both guests, you can list them alphabetically by last name. However, if you are closer to one of them, it is appropriate to list that person's name first. This can be a bit tricky, especially if you are close to both, but it is generally better to err on the side of what you think would make each guest most comfortable.

It is also worth noting that if the couple has different last names, and their combined names are too long to fit on one line, it is acceptable to list their names separately. Using our example, the outer envelope could be addressed to "Mr. Aaron Triguiero and Mr. Gabriel Reyes" if their names are too long to fit on one line. This format change can help ensure that the invitation looks neat and legible.

Remember, the most important thing is to make your guests feel welcomed and respected. Taking the time to properly address the invitations shows your guests that you value them and want them to be a part of your special day.

Single Female/Male

When addressing wedding invitations to single females and males, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. For a formal invitation, always use the complete, formal name of your guest. For a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18. If she is younger, "Miss" is used, and it should be spelled out rather than abbreviated as an initial. For example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if she is younger than 18)

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"

If a single female has been offered a plus one, this is only indicated on the inner envelope:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"

For a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18. Otherwise, no title is necessary. For example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If a single male has been offered a plus one, this is only indicated on the inner envelope:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

Frequently asked questions