Wording Names On Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Etiquette

Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and personality as a couple. The wording and design of your invitations should work together to achieve this.

The wording of your wedding invitations will depend on whether you want to follow traditional or modern conventions. Traditional invitations tend to use formal and sophisticated language, whereas modern invitations often use a more conversational tone.

- Begin by stating who is hosting the wedding. This is usually the bride's parents, but it can also be the couple themselves, both sets of parents, or other family members.

- Include a line that requests the presence of the guests, such as Request the honour of your presence for a religious ceremony or Invite you to celebrate for a more casual event.

- Clearly state the names of the couple getting married, with the bride's name typically preceding the groom's. For same-sex couples, you can choose the order that feels right.

- Include the date, day of the week, and time of the ceremony.

- Provide the name and address of the wedding ceremony and reception venues, especially if the reception is at a different location.

- Include a dress code suggestion if desired, such as Black Tie or Casual Dress.

- Provide an RSVP card with options for guests to choose from, such as Accepts with pleasure or Regretfully declines.

- If offering meal options, include a section on the RSVP card where guests can indicate their preferences.

- Include a location card with venue names, addresses, and parking information.

- Include an information card with additional details such as accommodation suggestions, transportation information, and any plans for the day after the wedding.

- When addressing the outer envelope, write out the full names of your guests and their addresses.

- When addressing the inner envelope, you can be more informal and use last names or first names only.

How to word names on wedding invitations for single guests

When addressing wedding invitations to single guests, it's important to use their preferred title and spell out their full name. If they are over 18, use "Mr." for men and "Ms." for women. For those under 18, "Miss" is acceptable for young women, while boys don't need a title until they turn 16. Here are some examples:

Example One: Without a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: Ms. Ali Johnson

On the inner envelope: Ms. Johnson or Ali

Example Two: With a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: Mx. Sam Li

On the inner envelope: Sam Li and Guest

If you're unsure about a guest's preferred title, it's better to forgo it altogether. Additionally, if a single guest has been offered a plus-one, avoid indicating this on the outer envelope. Instead, use "and Guest" on the inner envelope.

Addressing Single Guests with Distinguished Titles

If your single guest has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, it's proper to use their title on the invitation envelope. Here's an example:

Outer envelope: Dr. Anne Barker

Inner envelope: Dr. Barker or Anne

Addressing Children 18+

If you're inviting young adults who are 18 or older, they should receive their own invitations. You don't need to use titles, but you can if you prefer. Here's an example:

Outer envelope: Ms. Audrey Abraham

Inner envelope: Ms. Abraham or Audrey

Addressing Single Guests Informally

If you prefer a more casual approach, you can simply use the guest's first name on both the outer and inner envelopes. However, this may be more suitable for a casual wedding.

How to word names on wedding invitations for married couples

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should always be included. These are: the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information.

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is also an option, regardless of who is paying. If the couple is hosting, you can skip the host line or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts"

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, a simple way to word the invitation is:

" [Couple's names] invite you to celebrate with them

<date>

<time>

<venue>

<city, state>

Reception and dinner to follow"

For a more formal invitation, you can use the following template:

"The honour of your presence is requested

At the marriage of

<bride's name> and <groom's name>

<day of the week>, <date>

<year>

At <time> in the afternoon

<venue>

<city, state>"

When addressing the envelopes for a married couple with the same last name, you can use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For same-sex couples, either name can go first. For example:

"Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren

Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Warren or Thomas and Michelle"

If the couple prefers to have the wife's name included, you can write:

"Outer envelope: Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren

Inner envelope: Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren or Thomas and Michelle"

For married couples with different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first. If the names are too long, list them separately:

"Outer envelope: Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez

Inner envelope: Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez or Maria and David"

In the case of a spouse with a hyphenated last name, use the following format:

"Outer envelope: Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft

Inner envelope: Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft or Marcus and Brian"

How to word names on wedding invitations for unmarried couples

When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is standard etiquette to write each name on a separate line, even if the couple lives together. This is to differentiate their names and avoid any potential confusion. However, if you want to be more modern, you can join their names with the word "and", just like you would for a married couple.

When writing the names, list the person you are closest with first, or go by alphabetical order if you are equally close to both guests. Write out their full names, including titles such as Mr., Ms., Miss, or Dr. For example, "Mr. Aaron Triguiero, Mr. Gabriel Reyes".

If one or both of the guests have distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, or judges, it is proper etiquette to address them by those titles. In this case, the person with the higher-ranking title should be named first. For example, "Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood".

Remember to include a guest option for plus ones if desired. You can write, for example, "Miss Clara Oswald and guest". The word "guest" is always lowercase and is only used when you don't know the guest's name. If you know the name, write it out under the first name.

How to word names on wedding invitations for families

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter what. These are:

• The request to come to the wedding
• The names of the couple
• Reception information

The Host Line

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, no matter who is paying. It is also increasingly common for the couple to host the wedding themselves, or to do so together with their parents.

If the couple is hosting with both sets of parents, you could use wording such as:

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

If you have space, you could also include your parents' or stepparents' names in a line below.

The Request Line

Some options for this line include:

• "Request the honour 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"

The Names

Traditionally, a bride's name would be listed before a groom's name. However, you don't have to stick with this tradition. Regardless of gender, you can arrange the names in the order you prefer.

You might decide to use full names, including middle names, or opt for just first and last names or nicknames.

The Date and Time

Include the full date, along with the year, to avoid any confusion. You are free to mention whether it's "a.m." or "p.m." or omit this if it's obvious from the invite. For formal invitations, write out the full wedding date and time, including "o'clock".

The Location

Be sure to include the venue name, road, and state—enough information for your guests to start planning their trip. Avoid adding too many details, though, as it's easy for invites to become cluttered. You can always link to your wedding website for more information.

The Reception

After the ceremony location details, include a line or two about your wedding reception. If it's at a different location, you'll likely want to share additional information, like "Drinks and dancing to follow."

If you want to keep your invites minimal, a simple "Reception to follow" is all you need.

The Dress Code

Including the dress code on your wedding invites is incredibly helpful for guests. Without it, it's unclear whether you're expecting black-tie attire or something more casual.

Give your guests a helping hand by including a simple line about your dress code, such as "Formal" or "Casual".

How to word names on wedding invitations for plus ones

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few guidelines to follow, especially when it comes to including plus-ones. Here are some tips to help you navigate this sometimes tricky aspect of wedding planning:

Who Gets a Plus-One?

It's important to establish who will be receiving a plus-one. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

• Married or engaged guests: It is customary to invite the spouse or fiancé of a guest, and those who are living together should also be invited together.
• Couples in long-term relationships: Consider setting a minimum duration, such as six months, or extend the invitation to significant others you have spent time with.
• Other guests: You may want to allow single guests to bring a plus-one, especially if they are travelling or may feel uncomfortable alone. However, this will depend on your budget and space constraints.

Wording the Invitations:

When it comes to the invitations themselves, here are some suggestions for wording them:

• When you know the plus-one: If you are aware of the guest's plus-one, include their name on the invitation. You can list their name on a separate line below your guest's name. Alternatively, send a separate invitation directly to the plus-one.
• When you don't know the plus-one: If you are allowing a guest to bring a plus-one but don't know their name, simply add "and Guest" to the envelope. For example, "Mr. Harry Stockton and Guest".
• When you aren't inviting a plus-one: If a guest is not receiving a plus-one, address the invitation only to the guest by name.

Handling Guest Inquiries:

It's possible that some guests may directly inquire about a plus-one. Here are a few approaches to handle these situations:

• Stick to your guidelines: If you have set specific rules for plus-ones, it's best to stick to them to avoid making exceptions and potentially upsetting other guests.
• Consider special circumstances: However, be open to special cases, such as a guest who got engaged after invitations were sent out or a friend who recently became more serious with their partner.
• Offer a later invitation: If you receive declines from some guests, you can extend the invitation to plus-ones at a later time if there is room.

Other Considerations:

• Addressing envelopes: Traditionally, the outer envelope is formal, including the recipient's full name and title. The inner envelope is more informal, where you can use first and last names only.
• Adult-only weddings: To indicate an adult-only wedding, address the invitations only to the invited adult guests. You can also include this information on your wedding website.
• Wedding website and registry: Avoid including your wedding website and registry information on the main invitation. Instead, use an additional insert card or your wedding website.

Frequently asked questions