Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Honoring Both Sets Of Parents

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, but it's a sign of respect and appreciation to include the names of those hosting the wedding, which is usually the couple, the bride's parents, or both sets of parents. Here's a guide to help you word your wedding invitations elegantly and accurately when both parents are involved.

Honoring both sets of parents

Honouring both sets of parents is a gracious option, regardless of who is paying for the wedding. Here are some suggestions for wedding invitation wordings that include both sets of parents:

Traditional Wording

The traditional wedding invitation wording includes the full names of the hosts and the individuals getting married. It is also common to include middle names to make the invitation more formal. The date and time are usually written out in full rather than using numbers. Here is an example:

> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith

> Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes

> request the honour 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

Simple Wording

A simple wedding invitation conveys the essential details in a clear and concise manner. It includes the names of both sets of parents, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the wedding. Here is an example:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith

> along with Mark and Sally Reyes

> invite you to share and celebrate

> the marriage of their children

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Reception to follow

Romantic Wording

A romantic wedding invitation emphasizes the joy and love that will be shared on the special day. It includes phrases like "enter into their new life together" and "invite you to share in the joy." Here is an example:

> Benjamin and Mary Fuller

> Hilary and Becca Hicks

> invite you to share in the joy

> when their children unite in marriage

> on Friday, the eighth of June

> two thousand twenty-seven

> at five o'clock in the evening

> [venue name and address]

Modern Wording

Modern wedding invitations allow for more flexibility in the order of the details. You can put your names at the top and use a sleek and straightforward tone. Here is an example:

> Jack Smith & Mason Kim

> and their joyful parents

> hope you will attend their wedding

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Reception to follow

Creative Wording

Feel free to get creative with your wedding invitations! You can include a strong theme or think outside the box. Here is an example:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith

> and Mark and Sally Reyes

> can't wait to celebrate with you

> at the marriage of

> Olivia Rose and John Michael

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

> at [venue name and address]

> Party to follow

The request line

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

If you feel that requesting someone's presence is too formal, try something more relaxed, such as "would love for you to celebrate with them" instead. Tailor your request line to your and your partner's style and the formality of your wedding.

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

"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."

Both sets of parents:

"Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honour 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 honour 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."

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 honour 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."

Fun Wedding Invitation Wording

"John and Betty Smith invite you to raise a glass at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Dinner and dancing to follow."

Both sets of parents:

"Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes hope you'll join them on the dance floor to celebrate the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Merriment to follow."

If the couple is hosting:

"Come party with us. Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Dinner and dancing to follow."

Together with their families:

"Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes with their parents Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith and Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes Request you to eat, drink and be merry at their wedding Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Dinner and dancing to follow."

The couple's names

The traditional way to word a wedding invitation is to list the bride's name first, followed by the groom's full name and title. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and you can arrange the names in the order you prefer, especially for same-sex couples. You might choose to go in alphabetical order or simply choose the order that sounds and looks best.

For very formal weddings, it is customary to write out the full names, including middle names. For less formal affairs, you may prefer to use just the first and last names or even nicknames. It's entirely up to you.

• "Julia French and Austin Mahoney request the honour of your presence..."
• "Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick are getting hitched!"
• "Love is in the air. Chloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James Denton have the honour of announcing their marriage..."
• "Jennifer and Andrew invite you to celebrate their wedding..."

The Hosts' Names

If both sets of parents are hosting, the traditional way to word the invitation is to list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. However, this can be adapted to suit your preference, especially for same-sex couples.

• "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children..."
• "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory, Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner, and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children..."
• "Together with their families, Agee Gretta Taylor and Alexander Charles Leinberry invite you to join them in the celebration of their love..."
• "Together with their families, Sarah Hall and Evelyn Martinez are delighted to invite you to their wedding..."

Date and time

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, there are a few different ways to word this information, depending on the style and tone you wish to convey. Here are some examples:

Traditional Wording

For a traditional, formal wedding invitation, the date and time are usually written out in full, with the day of the week and the month capitalised. The year is optional and is written in lowercase. The time of day is also typically spelled out, for example, "half after four o'clock" or "four o'clock in the afternoon". Using "a.m." or "p.m." is optional.

Examples:

• Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon
• Saturday, the fifth of October, two thousand twenty-seven, at one o'clock in the afternoon
• Saturday, the nineteenth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at four o'clock in the afternoon

Modern Wording

In contrast, modern invitations often use numerical figures for the date and time. If you choose to do this, select a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g., a "2" that looks like a "5").

Examples:

• Saturday, 07.10.24, 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 21st, 2027, 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 12th, 2027, 5:00 p.m.

Casual Wording

Casual or informal invitations follow a similar style to modern invitations, using numerical figures for the date and time. This style is conversational and relaxed.

Examples:

• Saturday, August 17, 2024, 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, 06.08.27, 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 08.01.24, 4:30 p.m.

Creative Wording

Feel free to get creative with your wording, especially if your wedding has a theme. You can add a quirky twist to the request to attend, reflecting the tone of your special day.

Examples:

• Saturday, August 17, 2024, 4:30 in the afternoon (or 4:30 p.m.) – Party to follow!
• Saturday, the twenty-fourth of June, two thousand twenty-three, at three o'clock – Dinner and dancing to follow
• Saturday, 09.17.24, 4:30 p.m. – Eat, drink, and be merry!

Location and reception details

The location and reception details are essential components of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this section effectively:

Location Information:

• Venue Name and Address: Include the name and full street address of your wedding venue. For formal invitations, spell out the state and use the zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, provide the country as well.
• Omit Street Address for Well-Known Venues: The street address is typically included unless it is a well-known venue or a private residence, in which case the address may be omitted to avoid confusion.
• Destination Weddings: For destination weddings or out-of-town guests, consider including additional details such as the city and country to ensure your guests can find the location easily.

Reception Details:

• Same Venue: If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• Different Venue: When the reception is at a separate location, provide the full address on a separate line or include a reception card with the event details.
• Timing: If the reception is not immediately after the ceremony, include the reception timing details.
• Casual Wording: For a more casual tone, use phrases like "Merriment to follow," "Feasting and merriment to follow," or "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow."
• Dress Code: Including the dress code information on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for guests. Place this information in the lower right corner or bottom centre of the invitation.

Examples:

• Same Venue:
• "Reception to follow at the [Reception Venue Name]."
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at [Reception Venue Name]."
• Different Venue:
• "Reception to follow at [Reception Venue Name and Address]."
• "Join us for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing at [Reception Venue Name and Address]."
• Casual Wording:
• "Cake and celebration to follow at [Reception Venue Name]."
• "Let the festivities begin! Join us for dinner, drinks, and dancing at [Reception Venue Name and Address]."
• Including Dress Code:
• "Black-tie reception to follow at [Reception Venue Name]."
• "Cocktail attire suggested for the reception at [Reception Venue Name]."

Frequently asked questions