Guide To Requesting Formal Attire For Your Wedding

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They convey critical information and set the tone for the wedding. The wording of a wedding invitation can be used to indicate the level of formality of the event. For example, a rustic invitation with informal wording suggests a casual event, while a classic invitation with formal wording suggests an upscale affair.

The key to specifying formality in a wedding invitation is to include certain standard details while adhering to the conventions of formal language.

How to specify the hosts of the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and typically names the people or parties hosting the wedding. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. The host line can be omitted if the couple is hosting the wedding themselves.

If the wedding is hosted by one set of parents, the invitation usually includes the full names of the hosts, including middle names for very formal invites. For formal invites, the wording could be:

> Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address] Reception to follow

If the wedding is hosted by both sets of parents, both sets of names are included, with each parent on a separate line if they are divorced. For example:

> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith

> Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes

> request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Reception to follow

If the couple is hosting the wedding, the host line can be omitted or replaced with a welcoming introduction, such as:

> The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address] Reception to follow

If the wedding is hosted by both the couple and their parents, the invitation can include both, for example:

> Together with their families:

> Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes

> together with their parents Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith

> and Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes

> request the honor of your presence at their wedding Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Reception to follow

If one or both of the couple's parents have passed away, they can still be included in the host line or after the bride or groom's name. The phrase "the late" is used before their name. For example:

> Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton request the honour of your company at the marriage of their daughter Catherine Elizabeth Middleton to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge Son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales Friday, the twenty-ninth of April two thousand and eleven at eleven o’clock in the morning at Westminster Abbey – 20, Deans Yard London, England Reception to follow

How to specify the request line

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. The wording of the request line can be formal or casual, depending on the tone you want to set for your wedding.

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"

If you want to denote a more formal tone, use the British spelling of "honour". For a non-religious ceremony or a more casual wedding, you can use more casual language, such as:

• "Invite you to join"
• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "Would love the pleasure of your company"

The request line can also be tailored to the type of celebration you're hosting. For example:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow"
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"

When specifying the request line, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding and the tone you want to set. The request line is a great opportunity to give your guests a sneak peek of what they can expect at your celebration.

How to specify the couple's names

When it comes to wedding invitations, the way you address the couple's names sets the tone for the event. Here are some tips on how to specify the couple's names formally:

Married Couple with the Same Last Name:

For heterosexual couples, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If you want to include the wife's name, you can write "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". On the inner envelope, you can use "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or their first names.

For same-sex couples, either name can go first. You can use "Mr. and Mr." or "Mrs. and Mrs." followed by their names. For example, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft".

Married Couple with Different Last Names:

When the couple has different last names, write their names on the same line with the person you are closest to, or the woman's name, first. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". If the names are too long, list them separately. On the inner envelope, you can use their first names, such as "Maria and David".

Married Couple with One Hyphenated Last Name:

If one spouse has chosen to hyphenate their last name, you can address the invitation as "Mr. [Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Name]-[Name]". For example, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names: "Marcus and Brian".

Unmarried Couple:

For unmarried couples living at the same address, each person's name should be on a separate line. List the person you are closest to, or the woman's name first. For example, "Mr. Stanley Kim" and "Ms. Amanda Rhee". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names: "Stanley and Amanda".

Using Titles and Professional Designations:

When addressing guests with distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, judges, or military personnel, use their titles on the outer envelope. For couples, list the guest with the higher-ranking title first, regardless of gender. For example, for doctors, you can write "Dr. Tami Takata and Mr. Peter Underwood" or "Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names or just the title, such as "Dr. Takata and Mr. Underwood".

Informal and Modern Approaches:

While the above guidelines are useful, you can also choose to use first and last names only, without titles, for a more modern and informal approach. This is especially relevant for less traditional brides or recipients. For example, "Brian and Valerie Freeman".

Additionally, when addressing a married couple, it is acceptable to keep both names on one line, omitting the last name for a more casual feel: "Mr. Brian Freeman and Mrs. Valerie Freeman".

In conclusion, there are several ways to specify the couple's names formally on a wedding invitation, depending on their marital status, titles, and your desired formality.

How to specify the date, time, and location of the ceremony

The date, time, and location of the ceremony are essential details that should be included in a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to specify this information:

Date and Time:

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to spell out the date, day of the week, and time in full. For example, if the wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week should be capitalized, and the year should be in lowercase letters. The time of day can be indicated as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." Noon to 4:00 p.m. is considered afternoon, and evening begins at 5:00 p.m.

For modern or casual invitations, it is also acceptable to use numerical figures for the date and time, such as "4:00 p.m." or "4:30 p.m." However, be sure to choose a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g., between "2" and "5").

Location:

The location section of the invitation should include the name of the wedding venue and the city, state, and zip code. For formal weddings, the full address, including the street address, is typically included. If the wedding is a destination wedding or has many out-of-town guests, providing the full address is helpful. However, if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply stating "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient.

If the reception is at a different location, it is customary to include the reception address on a separate card or insert, especially for formal invitations. The street address is usually not included unless the venue is a private residence or omitting it may cause confusion. For international weddings, be sure to include the country as well.

How to specify the reception details

How to Specify Reception Details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, as they give your guests a clear idea of what to expect after the ceremony. Here are some tips on how to specify the reception details in a formal manner:

• Same Venue as the Ceremony: If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. This lets guests know that the celebration will be continuing in the same place.
• Different Venue: If the reception is taking place at a different location, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked in with the main invitation. This separate card ensures you have enough space to provide all the necessary details without cluttering the invitation itself.
• Timing: If the reception is not immediately after the ceremony, be sure to include the time. For a formal invitation, spell out the time in full, e.g., "half after four o'clock."
• Attire: While not compulsory, including the dress code on the invitation is helpful for guests. You can place this information in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation or include it on the separate details card. For a formal wedding, you may want to specify "Black-tie" or "Formal attire."
• Other Details: If there are unique aspects to your reception, such as specific entertainment or activities, you may want to include a separate activity card with your invitation suite. This card can list all the festivities open to guests in chronological order, giving them a clear idea of what to expect.
• Website: If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL on a separate card or at the bottom of the invitation. The website can provide additional details about the reception, such as directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions.

Remember, when specifying reception details, clarity and conciseness are key. You want to ensure your guests have all the information they need to attend and enjoy the celebration.

Frequently asked questions