Incorporating Deceased Father's Name: Wedding Invite Etiquette

Planning a wedding can be an emotional time, especially if a parent has passed away. Honouring a deceased father in a wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to recognise his memory, but it can be tricky to know the best way to do this. While some people may prefer to include their late father's name on the invitation, others may opt for alternative ways to remember him. Ultimately, there are no fixed rules, and it is a personal choice.

Adding the late before the father's name

If you want to include your deceased father in your wedding invitations, there are a few ways to do so. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation with "the late" before your father's name:

Formal Invitation Wording:

"Mrs. Sharon Henderson and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson request the honor 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 in Dripping Springs, Texas."

Less Formal Invitation Wording:

"Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma, along with their families, invite you to the celebration of their marriage on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Bluxome Street Winery in San Francisco, California."

Same-sex Couple Invitation Wording:

"The late Mr. Jim Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brady Aster, requests the honor of your presence on Saturday, the twenty-first of July, Two-thousand and twenty-six, at six o'clock in the evening in Palo Alto, California."

Invitation Wording with Step-parent:

"Moira and Alistair Schiller request the honor 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."

Remember, you can choose to include or exclude your late father's name in the invitation, whichever feels right to you. These examples can be modified to fit your specific needs and the level of formality you desire.

Honouring the father in other ways, such as playing his favourite song

There are many ways to honour a deceased father at a wedding beyond the wedding invites. Here are some ideas centred around playing his favourite song:

Playing His Favourite Song at the Reception

Playing your father's favourite song at the reception is a great way to start the celebration. It will keep his memory closer than ever and will be a beautiful tribute to him. You could even play it as your first dance song, or simply keep him in your thoughts as the song plays.

Father-Daughter Dance

If you were planning on having a father-daughter dance, you could still do this with another trusted loved one, such as an uncle, family friend, sibling, or your mother. During the dance, your loved one could share their favourite memories of your father, reminding you that he is always with you.

Slideshow

If you are creating a slideshow of photos, videos, and mementos, you can include memorial elements with photos of your father. You could also include video clips of him if you have any, and any songs that remind you of him.

Other Ways to Honour Your Father

There are many other ways to honour your father during your wedding, such as reserving a seat for him at the ceremony, lighting a memorial candle, wearing a memento of his in your outfit, or displaying a framed picture of him. You could also wear his favourite scent, or a piece of jewellery that he gave you. If you are planning on giving a speech, you could include a prayer, a quote, or a poem that reminds you of him.

Including the father's name when the bride's mother is hosting the wedding

There are several ways to include the name of a deceased father on a wedding invitation when the bride's mother is hosting. Here are some examples:

Formal and Traditional Wording

This example is formal and perfect for a traditional wedding. It includes the bride's full name.

> Mrs. Sharon Henderson

>

> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson

>

> request the honour of your presence

>

> at the marriage of their daughter

>

> [Bride's Full Name]

>

> on [date]

>

> at [time]

>

> [Location]

Less Formal Wording

This example is less formal but still includes the bride's parents in the invitation.

> [Mother's Name] and the late [Father's Name]

>

> the families and friends of

>

> at the celebration of their marriage

>

> on [date] at [time]

>

> [Location]

Alternative Wording

If you want to include both sets of parents, you could use the following wording:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents]

>

> Mrs. [Bride's Mother] and the late Mr. [Bride's Father]

>

> request the honour of your presence

>

> at the marriage of their children

>

> [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]

>

> on [date]

>

> at [time]

>

> [Location]

Omission of Deceased Parent

It is also acceptable to omit the deceased parent from the invitation, especially if they are not hosting the wedding. Here is an example:

> Mrs. [Bride's Mother]

>

> requests the honour of your presence

>

> at the marriage of her daughter

>

> [Bride's Name]

>

> on [date]

>

> at [time]

>

> [Location]

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you should go with your heart when considering how to include your deceased parent on your wedding invitation. You may also choose to honour your late father in other ways, such as through a tribute in the wedding program or a meaningful song dedicated to them during the reception.

Excluding the father's name to open up more wording options

If you are struggling to find the right words to include your deceased father in your wedding invitation, you may want to consider excluding his name altogether. This option can provide more flexibility in the wording of your invitation and allow you to focus on honouring your father in other ways during your special day. Here are some ideas and suggestions to help you navigate this sensitive topic gracefully:

Honouring your father's memory:

Even without explicitly mentioning your father's name, there are meaningful ways to honour his memory during your wedding. Consider incorporating his favourite flowers, songs, or quotes into your ceremony or reception. You can also display photos of him at the venue or share fond memories of him with your guests. These subtle touches will reflect his presence and significance in your life.

Focusing on the present:

Excluding your father's name from the invitation can shift the focus to the people who are actively involved in hosting or supporting your wedding. This includes your mother, step-parents, or other family members who are playing a vital role in your celebration. It is essential to honour the people who are currently by your side and acknowledge their contributions.

Simplifying the wording:

Omission of your father's name can also simplify the wording of your invitation. Wedding invitations traditionally focus on conveying essential information, such as the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the event. By keeping the wording concise and direct, you ensure that your guests receive clear and straightforward information about your wedding.

Personalised approaches:

Ultimately, the decision to include or exclude your father's name is deeply personal. If you feel that omitting his name aligns better with your vision for the invitation, you can explore various phrasing options. For example, you can use "together with their families" or "together with their parents" instead of naming individual family members. This approach honours your father's memory while maintaining a concise and elegant invitation style.

In conclusion, excluding your father's name from your wedding invitation can open up a range of wording options. It allows you to focus on honouring his memory in other meaningful ways while highlighting the people who are actively involved in your celebration. Remember, the most important aspect is to follow your heart and choose the option that feels right for you and your family.

Including the father's name when the bride and groom are hosting the wedding

When the bride and groom are hosting the wedding, there are a few ways to include the name of a deceased father on the wedding invitations. Here are some examples:

If the bride's father has passed away:

> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma, together with their families and friends, invite you to the celebration of their marriage on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Bluxome Street Winery in San Francisco, California.

> 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, 2026, at six o'clock in the evening in Dripping Springs, Texas.

If the groom's father has passed away:

> Mr and Mrs Jay Courier and 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, 2026, at six o'clock in the evening, 912 Sixth Street South, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

If you are struggling with the wording, it is important to remember to go with your heart when considering a deceased parent. Your guests will appreciate the sentiment, and your parent's memory will be honoured.

Frequently asked questions