Writing Wedding Invites: The Art Of Addressing Third Parties

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use upper-case letters for the proper names of days and months, but lower-case letters for numbers. The invitation should also be written in the third person, for example, Mrs. and Mr. Parents of the Bride/Groom invite you.... Proofreading is crucial, and it is recommended to have multiple people review the invitation for errors. Abbreviations and punctuation should generally be avoided, and the card should not be crowded with too much information or design.

In terms of names and titles, it is important to capitalise proper names and titles, and to spell out the title Doctor. Both partners' full legal names should be included, and a nickname can be included if that is what guests will recognise the person by. If the name is too long, it is acceptable to drop the middle name. A host line should be included at the top of the invitation, indicating who is hosting the wedding. This is usually the person or people funding the wedding but can vary based on preference.

For dates, it is recommended to spell out the date for formal invitations to avoid any confusion. The format should be: day of the week, comma, the day of the month, comma, and the word of, followed by the month. For example, Friday, the twenty-ninth of April. The year can also be included, written as two thousand and eighteen.

For times, it is recommended to spell out the time for formal invitations, for example, half after four o'clock. The time of day should also be indicated, for example, in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening.

Finally, for locations, it is important to include the full address for out-of-town guests, as well as the name of the homeowners if the wedding is taking place at a private residence. If the reception is at a different location, it can be included on a separate card for formal invitations or on the invitation for less formal events.

How to write the third person on a wedding invitation

Writing wedding invitations in the third person is the standard and more traditional approach. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft elegant and proper wedding invitations in the third person:

Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those hosting the wedding, which is traditionally the bride's parents. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, especially if both families are contributing financially. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; middle name is included)"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)"
• "Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)"

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you may skip the host line and start with a warm introduction:

• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"

Request Line

This is where you extend the invitation to your guests. Here are some options for the wording:

• "Request the honour of your presence" (traditionally denotes a religious service)
• "Request the pleasure of your company" (denotes a non-religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Action Line

This line specifies the nature of the event. Here are some examples:

• "At the marriage of their daughter (if the bride's parents are hosting)"
• "At the marriage of their children (if both sets of parents are hosting)"
• "At the celebration of their union (if the couple is hosting)"
• "As they say 'I do'!"
• "In celebration of their marriage"

Couple's Names

Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's name. For same-sex couples, you can choose alphabetical order or what sounds better. Here are some examples:

• "Samantha Maxx and Andrew Isaac"
• "Emily and Zara, or Zara and Emily"

For formal invitations issued by the bride's parents, use the bride's first and middle names and the groom's full name and title. If the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.

Date and Time

For formal weddings, write 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"
• "Four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" for the time

Evening begins at five o'clock, and noon until four o'clock is considered afternoon.

Location

Include the venue name and city, state for formal weddings. The street address is usually omitted unless it is a private residence or necessary for clarity.

Reception Information

For very formal invitations, include reception details on a separate card. Otherwise, it can be added to the invitation if there is room. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you may write:

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"

If the reception is at a different location, include the venue on a separate line or a separate reception card.

Dress Code

The dress code is usually indicated in the lower right corner of the invitation. If not specified, the formality of the invitation itself will suggest the expected attire. Here are some examples:

• "Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)"
• "Formal attire (suits and dresses)"
• "Cocktail attire (suits or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)"

How to write names and titles in the third person

When writing names and titles in the third person on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is standard practice to use the couple's full legal names, including middle names for very formal weddings. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed alphabetically by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

When addressing the parents of the couple, it is customary to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, regardless of who is paying for the wedding. If the couple's parents are divorced, each parent should be listed on a separate line. If a stepparent is included, their name should be on the same line as their partner.

In the case of deceased parents, they cannot be listed as hosts, but their names can be included alongside the couple's names. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez and the late Robert Martinez".

When addressing guests on the invitation envelopes, it is important to use their full names and appropriate social titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", or "Ms.". For married couples with the same last name, use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For same-sex couples, either name can come first. If the couple has different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first.

For unmarried couples living at the same address, both names are included on one line, with the person closest to the couple listed first. Single individuals are addressed as "Mr." or "Ms." if they are over 18, and "Miss" if they are under 18.

In general, it is recommended to use full names and titles for formal weddings, while casual weddings may allow for the use of first names only.

How to write the date and time in the third person

When writing the date and time in the third person on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, formal invitations are traditionally written in the third person and tend to follow strict formatting rules. Here are some guidelines to help you craft the perfect third-person wedding invitation:

Paragraph 1: Spelling Out the Date

Spell out the date for formal invitations to avoid any confusion. Instead of using numerals, write out the day, date, and month in full. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, the 26th of October 2024, you would write, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week should be capitalised, and a comma should separate it from the date. The year is typically written in numerical form on a separate line, and there is no need to include the day of the week or the year unless you prefer to do so.

Paragraph 2: Hyphens and Abbreviations

When writing dates that fall between the 21st and 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones digits. For example, "the twenty-first of May". Avoid using abbreviations for the month and instead, spell it out in full. The "t" in "two" should be capitalised when spelling out the year, and there should be no comma between the month and the year.

Paragraph 3: Time of Day

The time of day should also be written out in full for formal invitations. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 pm, you would write it as "half after three o'clock". It is traditional to use "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" instead of a.m. or p.m. However, you don't need to specify these for times that are clearly in the morning or evening, such as 9 am or 7 pm.

Paragraph 4: On-the-Hour and Half-Hour Times

When writing times on the hour, simply add "o'clock" after the hour number. For example, "four o'clock". For half-hour times, use "half after" followed by the hour number. For example, "half after four o'clock". It is worth noting that "half past" is also acceptable.

Paragraph 5: Informal Invitations

If you're opting for a more casual wedding, you have more flexibility with the wording. You can choose to use numerals for the date and time, such as "Saturday, 6/24/2024, at 4:00 pm". However, even with informal invitations, it's essential to be clear and specific to avoid any confusion for your guests.

Remember, these guidelines are just suggestions to achieve a traditional and formal tone. Ultimately, you can customise your wedding invitations to fit your unique style and vision.

How to include locations and addresses in the third person

When including locations and addresses in the third person on a wedding invitation, there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure clarity and formality. Here are some detailed instructions to help you craft elegant and informative invitations:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope should include the full address for out-of-town guests or if the ceremony is held at a private residence. Spell out all words in the address, including "Street" instead of "St." and "Post Office Box" instead of "P.O. Box." House numbers below twenty should also be spelled out, e.g., "Twenty-Six East Market Street."

If the wedding is held at a well-known institution or a venue with only one location, such as the "Brooklyn Museum of Art," you may omit the address to avoid redundancy. However, for other venues, include the full address to ensure your guests can easily find the location.

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have some flexibility in how you format the address. You may choose to include the names of invited guests, including children, in the household. If children are under the age of 18, you can use "Master" for boys and "Miss" for girls. For a more informal approach, you can use just the parents' first names on the outer envelope and the parents' and children's first names without titles on the inner envelope.

Reception Information:

If the reception is held at the same location as the ceremony, you may include wording such as "Reception immediately following the ceremony" or "and afterward at the reception." If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card for formal invitations or on the invitation itself for less formal events.

In conclusion, when including locations and addresses in the third person on a wedding invitation, use full addresses with spelled-out words for the outer envelope, and you have more flexibility with naming conventions and address formats for the inner envelope. Ensure you provide clear and complete information for your guests, especially when the reception venue differs from the ceremony location.

How to add a host line in the third person

When it comes to wedding invitations, tradition dictates that they are written in the third person. This means that the host line, which is the first part of the invitation, should also be written in the third person. Here are some guidelines on how to add a host line in the third person:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, including middle names if it's a very formal wedding. If the parents have different last names, use "and" to join their names. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; middle name included)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)

> Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

In this case, list the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect their names. For example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

> Mr. James Abner

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, you can list the names according to preference or in a way that looks best with the invitation design. 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)

Couple Is Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both their families are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as:

> Together with their families

> Together with our families

> Together with their parents

If the couple is hosting by themselves, you can skip the host line and start with a warm introduction:

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you want to include the name of a deceased parent, they cannot be listed as a host. Try rearranging the wording, for example:

> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence...

Including Stepparents

If you wish to include a stepparent's name, keep it on the same line as their partner. For example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your specific situation and preferences. The most important thing is to create a wedding invitation that represents you and your celebration.

Frequently asked questions