Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide For Brides

how to word your wedding invitation bridesbrides

Wedding invitations are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel. They also convey critical information about the big day. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated. Whether you want to keep the wording classic and traditional or creative and whimsical is up to you, but there are some basic elements that should be included no matter what.

The primary components of a wedding invitation are:

- Host line: The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event, usually the people who are paying for the wedding.

- Attendance request: The request to attend lets guests know exactly what they're being invited to.

- Couple's names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface.

- Date and time: The date and time are typically spelled out in full for formal invitations and written numerically for modern invites.

- Location: Include the name and full address of the venue, including the state and zip code.

- Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, just say reception to follow. Otherwise, include the full address on a separate card.

- Dress code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests.

Characteristics	Values
Wording Style	Classic and traditional, creative and whimsical, or casual
Hosts	Bride's parents, both sets of parents, couple's parents and the couple, or the couple
Names of Couple	Bride's name first, groom's name first, or alphabetical order for same-sex couples
Date	Written in full for formal weddings, numerals acceptable for casual weddings
Time	"O'clock" or "half after five o'clock" for formal weddings, numerals acceptable for casual weddings
Address	Street address not needed unless it would lead to confusion or the wedding is at the host's home
Reception Information	Included on a separate card, printed on the invitation, or on a separate insert card
Dress Code	Included in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation or inferred from the invitation style
RSVP	Response card, wedding website, or email

Honoring a deceased parent

Honouring a deceased parent in your wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to memorialise them on your special day. Here are some ways to include them:

Host Line

If you are the child of the deceased parent, you can include their name alongside yours in the host line. For example:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and [Partner's Name]

Request Line

If you are the child of the surviving parent, you can include their name and your deceased parent's name in the request line. For instance:

> Mr. and Mrs. Jay Courier

> Mrs. Hannah Fullerton and the late Andrew Fullerton

> request the honour of your presence

Reception Line

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the venue name and address on a separate line or insert card.

Other Considerations

You may also want to consider including a tribute to your deceased parent elsewhere in the invitation, such as a meaningful quote or a favourite poem. Additionally, you can choose to display their name on a memorial table or in the wedding programme.

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Including step-parents

Communication is Key

It is important to communicate openly and honestly with your step-parents and biological parents about their roles in your wedding. Depending on your relationship with your step-parents, they may expect to be included or may prefer to take a step back. Be sure to consider their feelings and respect their wishes.

Wording the Invitation

If your step-parent has played an important role in your life, it is appropriate to include their name on the invitation, especially if they are contributing financially to the wedding. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation:

If both parents and step-parents are involved, list each party (including step-parents) on separate lines: "Sally and Frank Smith; John and Susan Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter..."
If one parent is divorced and has a new spouse, you can include both names: "Michelle & Timothy Wright request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black, son of Barbara and Stanley Black."
If both parents are divorced and jointly hosting, list each parent and their spouse: "Mrs. Michelle Wright and Mr. John Monroe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Black."
If you have multiple sets of remarried parents, you can use ""Together with their families" to keep the invitation simple.

Seating Arrangements

When it comes to seating arrangements at the reception, assess the relationships between your parents and step-parents. If your parent's new spouse gets along with your other parent, they can sit together. If not, consider giving each parent their own table with appropriate friends and family to ease any tension.

Include Them in the Procession

If you want to include your step-parents in the ceremony, you can have them walk down the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony. They can walk with their spouse, escort the bride or groom, or you can alter the order to include them in a way that feels comfortable for your family.

Special Dances and Toasts

If you are close to your step-parent, consider including them in a special dance or giving them an opportunity to make a toast. This can be a way to honour your relationship and create a memorable moment during the reception.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to including step-parents in your wedding invitation and celebrations. The most important thing is to handle the situation with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved.

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The couple's names

For same-sex couples, the host line may dictate whose name comes first. If one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, followed by their child's name. If the couple is hosting themselves, they can decide whose name to put first.

When using traditional wedding invitation wording, it is customary to use both partners' full legal names and capitalise proper names and titles. Avoid abbreviations and punctuation, except after courtesy titles. If the names become too long, you can drop the middle names.

Formal: "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
Formal: "Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
Casual: "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
Casual: "Together with their parents, Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"

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Date, time and location

The date, time and location of your wedding are arguably the most important elements of your invitation. You'll want to make sure your guests have no confusion about when and where to arrive for your big day.

For formal invitations, it's customary to write out the date, time and location in full. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording should be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon". The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day should be spelled out as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". Evening begins at five o'clock. From noon until four o'clock is considered afternoon.

For casual invitations, it's fine to use numerals for the date and time, e.g. "4:30 p.m." or "4:30 p.m. in the afternoon".

List the ceremony venue as follows: "Venue Name" on one line, "City, State" on the following line. For formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out. The venue's street address is traditionally not included unless the venue is a private residence. Zip codes are not usually included.

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card.

Formal Invitation Examples

"Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Reception to follow."
"Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, Boone Hall, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Dinner and merriment to follow."
"Saturday, the fourth of July nineteen ninety-nine at half past seven in the evening, Luttrellstown Castle, Clonsilla, Ireland. Reception to follow."

Casual Invitation Examples

"June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."
"July 10, 2010, at half past six in the evening, Via Regina Teodolinda, 35 Como, Italy. Food, wine, and merriment to follow."
"October 19, 2012, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Borgo Egnazia Resort, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy. Dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please."

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Post-ceremony plans

If your wedding ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, you should include the full address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Informal Post-Ceremony Wording