Writing Fancy Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Elegant Script

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding, and they also convey critical information. The wording of your wedding invitations can be simple and minimalistic or creative and whimsical, but there are some essential elements that should be included no matter what. These include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information.

The proper wording of a wedding invitation provides all the essential details, like the couple's full names, who's hosting the nuptials, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. The wording you choose can also hint at the level of formality of the wedding. For example, if you're telling guests to come eat cake with you, it's fair for them to assume they can leave their black-tie ball gown at home.

In this article, we will break down the different components of a wedding invitation and provide examples of formal and casual wedding invitation wording to help you craft the perfect invitations for your big day.

Honoring a deceased parent: Include the phrase the late before their name

When it comes to wedding invitations, you may want to find special ways to honour a deceased parent. Here are some ideas on how to do this with style and sensitivity:

Formal Wording

If you wish to follow traditional etiquette, the bride's name always comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. The date and time are usually written out in full, and you can use the British spelling of "honour" to indicate a religious service. Here's an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Jane Smith, to John Doe, son of Mrs. Jane Doe and the late Mr. Doe, on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

Informal Wording

For a less formal approach, you can be more creative with the wording while still honouring the deceased parent. You can use first names only and a more conversational tone:

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael, on Saturday, the seventeenth of August, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at [venue name and address]. We will be honouring the memory of the late Mr. Reyes. Reception to follow.

Honouring with Names

Another option is to include the deceased parent's name alongside the couple's names. This can be a touching way to honour them:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and John Doe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, request the honour of your presence at their wedding on [date and time] at [venue name and address].

Step-parents and Other Considerations

If you have step-parents, it can be tricky to include them on the invitation. One option is to use "Together with their families" to indicate that both sets of parents are hosting. Here's an example:

> Together with their families, Jack Smith and Jane Doe, son of Mrs. Jane Doe and the late Mr. Doe, invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows on [date and time] at [venue name and address].

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can adapt them to fit your style and situation. The most important thing is to go with your heart and choose the wording that feels right for you.

Divorced parents: List the mother's name first, followed by the father on a separate line

If you're wondering how to word a wedding invitation when the couple's parents are divorced, here's a detailed guide to help you navigate this delicate situation.

Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those hosting (or paying for) the wedding. In the case of divorced parents, you can include both sets of parents as hosts, keeping each parent on a separate line. Here's how to format it:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

It's important to note that the mother's name always comes first, and there should be no "and" between the names, as this signifies marriage. Using "Ms." instead of "Mrs." can also help to avoid any confusion regarding marital status. If the mother has remarried and changed her last name, include her new last name to prevent confusion, like this:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

> Mr. John Smith

Request Line

After the host line, you'll want to include a request for the pleasure of your guests' company. Here are a few examples of how to word this:

> request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter/son

> request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter/son

Couple's Names

Next, you'll want to include the names of the couple getting married. For a formal invitation, use full names, like:

> Michael Alan Timmons

> Avery June Smith

If the bride's parents are divorced and the mother has remarried, you can include the bride's full name to prevent confusion:

> Avery June Smith daughter of Mr. John Smith and the late Mrs. Sarah Smith

Date and Time

For a formal invitation, spell out the date and time in full. For example:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon

Location

List the ceremony venue by name and include the city and state on the following line. If the reception is at a different location, you can include it on a separate line or include a reception card with the details.

Other Details

You may also want to include dress code information, usually at the bottom of the invitation or on a separate insert card. If the wedding is black-tie, it's essential to include this information.

RSVP Details

Finally, provide your guests with an RSVP date, typically three to four weeks before the wedding, and include a response card for them to accept or decline the invitation.

Unmarried couple: Write both names, each on their own line

When addressing an invitation to an unmarried couple, the names should be written on separate lines. Here are some examples of how to format the names with different hosting scenarios:

Hosted by one set of parents:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

Hosted by both sets of parents:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. and Mrs. Smith

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

> Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Hosted by the couple:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

Hosted by divorced parents:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

> Ms. Pamela Jacobsen

> Mr. Fred Jacobsen

Hosted by parent, including a deceased parent:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

> Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton

> The late Diana, Princess of Wales

Hosted by same-sex parents:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Sean Flannigan and Mr. Michael Flannigan

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

> Ms. Jane Lowe and Ms. Courtney Lowe

Married couple: Put names on the same line, in alphabetical order if different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few options to consider. The key things to remember are clarity and consistency. Here are some examples of how to format their names:

Outer Envelope:

• "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
• "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell"
• "Ms. Celine Elgin and Mr. David Estevez" (in alphabetical order)

Inner Envelope:

• "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez"
• "Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell"
• "Celine and David" (first names only if you prefer a more casual approach)

If you are using both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope should be more formal, including titles and full names. The inner envelope can be more informal, giving you the option to use only first names or to leave out one or two elements of the formal name format.

It is also worth noting that if one person in the couple has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, military rank, or judge, this should be included in the address. For example:

Outer Envelope:

• "Doctor Tami Takata and Mr. David Estevez"
• "Lieutenant Celine Elgin, US Navy and Mr. David Estevez"

Inner Envelope:

• "Dr. Takata and Mr. Estevez"
• "Lieutenant Elgin and Mr. Estevez"

Remember to consider the couple's preferences and always double-check their preferred titles and names before finalising your wedding invitations.

Same-sex parents: Use courtesy titles and list names alphabetically by last name

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the rules are not set in stone and can be flexible to fit your preferences. Here is a guide to help you write invitations for weddings involving same-sex parents in a way that is instructive, detailed, and focused on the topic.

Host Line

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation, naming the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed as hosts, but for same-sex parents, you can list the names according to preference or in alphabetical order by last name. If you want to include both sets of parents, you can list them separately or together, depending on their relationship status. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis" (formal)
• "Aaron and Alisha Wong, together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis" (less formal)

Request Line

The request line is where you invite guests to attend the wedding. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence" (traditionally used for religious services)
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Couple's Names

For same-sex couples, you can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design. You can include last names or opt for a less formal feel with just first names.

Date and Time

For formal invitations, spell out the date and time in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." For casual weddings, using numerals is fine.

Location

List the venue name and full address, including the city and state. If the wedding is abroad, include the country as well. If the reception is at the same location, simply state "Reception to follow." Otherwise, include the reception details on a separate card.

Dress Code

Including the dress code is optional but can be helpful for guests. If you don't include it, guests will infer the dress code from the formality of the invitation. If your wedding is black-tie, it is essential to include this information.

Additional Information

You may include an insert card with additional details such as directions, transportation, and lodging. Avoid including registry details on the invitation itself; instead, provide this information on your wedding website.

Frequently asked questions