Guide To Inviting Family To Your Wedding With Invitation Cards

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to family members, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to specify which family members are invited or invite the entire family. If you choose to be specific, begin with the parent(s)' names, followed by the names of invited children in order of age. Girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss, while boys under 16 do not need a title. For a more casual wedding, you may choose to use first names only or leave out titles. However, for a formal wedding, it is best to err on the side of formality.

How to invite a family with young children

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, it's important to be clear about who is and isn't invited. This is especially important when inviting families with young children. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure your invitations are clear and informative:

The Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is generally more formal. Use the full names of the adults and their titles, such as "Mr." and "Mrs.". If the couple is unmarried, list the person you are closest to first. If the couple is same-sex, the traditional rule of "woman first, man second" does not apply; instead, go with what sounds better or alphabetical order.

If you are inviting children under 18, their names are not required on the outer envelope. However, for clarity, you may choose to include their names on the inner envelope. If you are not inviting any children, simply omit their names from both envelopes.

The Inner Envelope

On the inner envelope, list the first names of the invited family members. For girls, you can add "Miss" before their names, while boys under 18 have no parallel title. If there are children over 18 living with their parents, send them a separate invitation with their full formal name on the outer envelope and their title ("Mr." or "Ms.") and last name on the inner envelope.

Invitation Wording

When it comes to the invitation wording, there are a few ways to indicate that the entire family is invited:

• "Together with their families"
• "It is with joy that, together with their families..."
• "With the support of our families, we are excited to..."

You can also include the names of parents or step-parents in a line below. The request line, where you invite guests to join you, can be tailored to your style and formality. Some options include:

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

Additional Information

To avoid any confusion, be sure to include the full date and location of the wedding ceremony. If the reception is at a different location, provide this information as well. You may also want to include a dress code to give guests a better idea of what to expect.

If you are not inviting children, it is a good idea to mention this clearly on your wedding website, along with your reason. You can also follow up with families to ensure they understand. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or assumptions.

How to invite a family with adult children

When inviting a family with adult children to a wedding, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed instructions and suggestions to help you navigate this process:

• Sending Separate Invitations: It is recommended that adult children living with their parents receive their own wedding invitation. This avoids confusion and ensures that each invited guest feels valued. This is especially important if you are not inviting younger children from the same family. By sending separate invitations, you can specify exactly who is invited and avoid any misinterpretations.
• Listing Names on the Invitation: If you prefer to send a single invitation per household, it is essential to list the names of all invited family members clearly. This includes the adult children living at home. For example, you can write "Mr. & Mrs. John Doe, Jane Doe, and Michael Doe." This approach ensures that there is no ambiguity about who is invited.
• Using "Family": While it is generally not recommended, you can use the term "family" on the invitation if all members of the household are invited. However, this approach may cause confusion, especially if you have specified an adults-only event or have not invited younger children from the same family. To avoid misinterpretations, consider listing the names of the invited family members instead of using "family."
• Outer and Inner Envelopes: Traditionally, wedding invitations may include an outer and an inner envelope. The outer envelope is more formal and includes titles and complete names. The inner envelope is more casual and can include first names without titles. When inviting a family with adult children, list the parents' full names on the outer envelope and the names of the adult children on the inner envelope. For example, "Outer Envelope: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe; Inner Envelope: John, Jane, and Michael Doe."
• RSVP Cards: To further clarify who is invited, you can include RSVP cards with your invitations. On these cards, specify the number of seats reserved for the family. For example, "We have reserved three seats in your honour." This approach ensures that the family understands how many members are invited, including the adult children.
• Additional Information Card: If you prefer a more subtle approach, include an additional information card or reception card within the invitation suite. This card can politely request an adults-only celebration or specify that children are not invited. For example, "Please note this will be an adults-only reception." This approach respects your guests' understanding while conveying your wishes clearly.

How to invite a family with children of different ages

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with children of different ages, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to be clear about who is invited. If you are inviting the entire family, the outer envelope should include the family name, such as "The Turner Family". The inner envelope should then list each family member's name, including the children. Using their first names is sufficient for the inner envelope.

If there are children over the age of 18 living at home, it is recommended that they receive their own invitation. Their names should be written out in full on the outer envelope, and the inner envelope can include their first name with an honorific, such as "Mr." or "Miss".

If you are not inviting children to the wedding, it is important to be explicit about this. One way to do this is to only include the couple's names on the outer envelope. Additionally, you can include a note on the invitation card, such as "Adults-Only Reception" or "Our wedding is adult-only, thank you". You can also mention this on your wedding website to ensure clarity and give guests enough time to find a babysitter.

Another option is to allow children over a certain age to attend, as they may be better able to enjoy the ceremony and behave throughout the day. In this case, specify any age restrictions on the wedding invitations.

Example 1: Inviting the Entire Family

Outer envelope: The Turner Family

Inner envelope: John, Jane, Michael, Miss Rebecca, and Steven

Example 2: Family with Adult Children Living at Home

Outer envelope: Mr. John Turner

Miss Jane Turner

Inner envelope: John

Jane

Remember that you can adapt the wording and format to fit your preferences and the style of your wedding. These are just a few guidelines to help you navigate the sometimes tricky world of wedding invitation etiquette!

How to invite a family with step-parents

When inviting a family with step-parents to a wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure proper etiquette. Here are some instructive guidelines to help you navigate this:

The Host Line

The first line of traditional wedding invites mentions the host. If the couple is hosting along with both sets of parents, including step-parents, you can indicate this with "together with their families" wording. For example:

> Together with their families, Sarah Hall and Evelyn Martinez invite you to their wedding.

If you wish to include the names of step-parents, mention them in a line below the host line to keep the invite streamlined. For instance:

> Together with their families

>

> Mr. Morgan and Mr. and Mrs. Jones-Fray

>

> request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children...

The Request Line

Beneath the host line is the request line, where you invite your guests to join you on your special day. Tailor this line to your style and the level of formality you desire. Here are some examples:

> We request the honour of your presence.

>

> Invite you to join us for our wedding day.

>

> We would love for you to celebrate with us.

The Couple's Names

After the request line, include the names of the happy couple. Traditionally, the bride's name is listed before the groom's, but you can arrange the names in the order you prefer, especially if the couple is of the same sex. Use full names, including middle names, or opt for first and last names or nicknames. For instance:

> Sarah Hall and Evelyn Martinez

>

> Amelie Morgan and Harry Jones-Fray

Date, Time, and Location

Include the full date and time of the wedding to avoid any confusion. For formal invitations, write out the full date, time, and "o'clock." Indicate whether it's "a.m." or "p.m." if it's not obvious from the context. Provide the venue name, road, and state to help your guests plan their trip. For example:

> Saturday, the twentieth of May, two thousand and twenty-three, at three o'clock in the afternoon, Sunburst Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Reception Information

If the reception is at a different location than the ceremony, include this information. A simple "Reception to follow" is sufficient if you want to keep your invites minimal. Otherwise, you can add more details, such as:

> Dinner and dancing to follow at the reception venue.

Dress Code

Including a dress code on your wedding invites is helpful for guests. A simple indication of "Formal" or "Casual" is usually enough for guests to work with.

Inviting Children

If you are inviting children under 18 from the family, list their names on the inner envelope, in order of age. If children are not invited, do not name them on the envelope or invitation, and consider mentioning on your wedding website that children are not included.

Remember, these are guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your specific needs and preferences. Feel free to add your personal touch to make your wedding invitations unique and reflective of your special day.

How to invite a family with divorced parents

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to be mindful of family dynamics, especially when parents are divorced. Here are some guidelines on how to invite a family with divorced parents:

Wording and Etiquette

The mother's name always comes first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Use "Ms." or "Mrs." for the mother, which can help eliminate confusion. If the mother has remarried, include her new married name to prevent confusion, for example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. John Smith

If the mother has kept her married name after the divorce, include the bride or groom's last name for clarity, for instance:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

In the case of divorced parents who are not remarried, and the mother has reverted to her maiden name, it is appropriate to use the bride or groom's last name to avoid confusion:

> Ms. Sarah Jones

> Mr. John Smith

Including Step-parents

If one of your parents has remarried and you want to include your step-parent's name, list them together with your biological parent on the same line. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

Host Line

If both your biological parents and step-parents are hosting, you can use the "together with their families" format to keep the invitation uncluttered. Here's an example:

> Together with their families

> Michael Alan Timmons

Alternatively, you can list each couple on their own line:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Seating Arrangements

Seating arrangements can be tricky when it comes to divorced parents. It is recommended to invite both parents to sit in the front row as it is their child's wedding. Using siblings or grandparents as buffers between divorced parents can make the seating arrangements more comfortable. Reserved seating cards with individual names can help ensure a smooth process.

Wedding Program

Regarding the wedding program, you can choose to follow traditions or create your own unique program. Some divorced parents may be comfortable being listed together as the parents of the couple, while others may prefer to be listed separately, especially if one parent is remarried and step-parents should be included. A neutral approach is to use a "together with their families" header on the wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions