Incorporating Both Parents' Names In Wedding Invitations Elegantly

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to including both parents' names. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed as hosts, but it has become increasingly common to include both sets of parents, especially when both are contributing financially to the wedding. Including parents' names on invitations is a way to honour and show appreciation for them, regardless of their financial contribution.

Including both parents' names when the bride's parents are footing the bill

When the bride's parents are footing the bill for the wedding, it is customary for them to be named as the hosts on the invitation. This is considered a sign of respect and appreciation. Here are some examples of how to word such an invitation:

Traditional Wording

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Father's Name] and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]."

Modern Wording

"Together with their parents, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]."

Honouring Both Sets of Parents

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Father's Name] and Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Mother's Name], together with Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name] and Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name], request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]."

Emphasising the Bride's Parents' Role

"With great pleasure, Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Father's Name] invite you to share in the joy of the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name], son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Father's Name], on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]."

It is important to note that including both parents' names on the invitation does not necessarily indicate that they are paying for the wedding. The couple may choose to honour their parents in this way, regardless of financial contributions.

Honouring both sets of parents, even if they're not contributing financially

Honouring both sets of parents on your wedding invitations is a lovely way to show respect and appreciation, even if they are not contributing financially. Here are some ideas and suggestions to achieve this:

Traditional and Formal Wording

A traditional approach to wedding invitation wording often indicates who is hosting the wedding, which is usually the couple's parents or one set of parents. This is a long-standing tradition, and older generations may expect this format. Here is an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

> Bride's Name

> to Groom's Name

> son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents

If you want to include both sets of parents but only one set is contributing financially, you can modify the wording slightly:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents

> and Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their children

> Bride's Name

> and Groom's Name

Modern and Inclusive Wording

Today, many couples prefer a more modern and inclusive approach to wedding invitation wording. You can choose to honour both sets of parents without explicitly stating who is hosting or paying for the wedding. Here are some examples:

> Together with their families/parents

> Bride's Name

> and Groom's Name

> invite you to share in their joy/celebrate their union

> on their wedding day

Or you can include the names of both sets of parents:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Father and Mother

> and

> Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Father and Mother

> invite you to share in the joy/celebrate the union

> of their children

> Bride's Name

> and Groom's Name

Honouring Parents Without Mentioning Finances

It's important to remember that including parents' names on wedding invitations is not just about indicating who is paying. It's also about honouring and acknowledging their role in your life and your special day. Here are some suggestions to include both sets of parents without focusing on finances:

• "Together with their families": This wording is a simple and elegant way to include both sets of parents without mentioning finances. It indicates that your families are joining together in celebration.
• "Daughter of..." or "Son of...": You can choose to include your parents' names by adding "daughter of Bride's Parents" or "son of Groom's Parents" after your names. This way, you are honouring your parents without specifically mentioning their financial contribution.
• "Cordially Invite You": Another option is to have the parents' names as the hosts inviting the guests, without mentioning who is paying. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents cordially invite you to the wedding of their son Groom's Name to Bride's Name, daughter of Bride's Parents."

Remember, the most important thing is to choose wording that feels right for you and your partner. It's your special day, and you can decide how to honour your parents in a way that reflects your values and relationships.

How to word invitations when both parents are divorced

There are many ways to word wedding invitations when both parents are divorced. Here are some options:

Traditional Wording

If your parents are divorced and not remarried, you can use their first names, keeping your mother's name first:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

If your mother is remarried, you can include her new last name to avoid confusion:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. John Smith

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

If both parents are remarried, include both new last names:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

Modern Wording

For a more modern approach, you can simply state:

> Together with their families

Or include all parents' names:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

> Mr. and Mrs. Alan Timmons

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children

If your mother is remarried:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. John Smith

> Mr. and Mrs. Alan Timmons

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children

Honouring Step-parents

If you wish to honour your step-parents, you can include them on the invitation. For example, if your mother has remarried:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

Or, if you want to include your father as well:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> along with Mr. John Smith

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

Other Options

If you are close with your step-parents and would like to include them, there are a few options. You can list your parents and step-parents separately:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their children

Or, you can use a collective phrase such as:

> Together with their parents

Ultimately, the wording you choose is up to you and what feels right for your family dynamics.

How to word invitations when both parents are remarried

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many ways to word them, from traditional to modern. Here is some instruction on how to word invitations when both parents are remarried.

Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those financially contributing to the wedding. If both sets of parents are contributing, you can include both on the host line, for example:

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

Or:

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

If one or both sets of parents are divorced and remarried, the mother's name is listed first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. There should be no "and" connecting the names. For example:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

Request Line

The request line is where you invite guests to share in the celebration. Here are some examples:

> 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

Action Line

The action line is where you specify what guests are being invited to share in. If both parents are remarried and contributing, the action line could be:

> At the marriage of their children

Date and Time

The date and time are typically spelled out in full. For example:

> Saturday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty-seven, at six o'clock in the evening

Venue

The venue is listed on the following line(s) after the date and time. For formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out. The street address is not typically included unless the venue is a private residence.

Reception Information

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say:

> Reception to follow

If the reception is at a different location, you can include the venue on a separate line or on a separate insert card.

Other Considerations

Other things to consider including on the invitation are the dress code and wedding website. The dress code should be listed on a line following the reception location. The wedding website is typically not included on the main invitation card but can be listed on a separate insert card.

How to word invitations when the couple is paying for the wedding themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be skipped altogether, or the invitation can begin with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"

The host line is traditionally where the names of those hosting (and often paying for) the wedding would go. However, even if the couple is paying for the wedding themselves, both sets of parents' names can still be included on the invitation. This is a gracious way to honour the parents, and it is becoming more common.

• "Together with their parents, [Couple's names] invite you to share in the joy of their marriage on [date] at [time] in [location]."
• "Together with their families, [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence at their wedding on [date] at [time] in [location]."
• " [Bride's parents' names], [Groom's parents' names], and [Couple's names] joyfully request your presence at the wedding celebration of [Couple's names] on [date] at [time] in [location]."

If the couple wishes to include only the names of the bride's parents, the invitation could be worded as follows:

" [Bride's parents' names] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's name] to [Groom's name], son of [Groom's parents' names], on [date] at [time] in [location]."

Frequently asked questions