Writing Wedding Invites: Divorced Parents Edition

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to divorced parents. The traditional approach is to list parents' names separately, with the mother's name first, and to avoid using and between names to signify separate households. However, modern couples have more flexibility and can choose to include step-parents or even say together with their families to keep things simple. Ultimately, it's up to the couple to decide what feels right for their unique family situation.

Divorced parents, both remarried

When addressing wedding invitations to divorced parents who are both remarried, there are a few etiquette rules to keep in mind. Firstly, the mother's name always goes first, and you should use "Ms." to avoid confusion. Secondly, divorced parents' names should never appear on the same line, even if they are both remarried. Here are some examples of how to word the invitations:

If the bride's parents are divorced and remarried, and both are hosting:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones and Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter [Bride's name]

If the groom's parents are divorced and remarried, and both are hosting:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Miller and Mr. and Mrs. John Brown request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their son [Groom's name]

If both the bride's and groom's parents are divorced and remarried, and all are hosting:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Johnson, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children [Bride's name] and [Groom's name]

If you want to avoid listing all the names, you can use the phrase "together with their families":

> Together with their families, [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you should do what feels right for your unique family situation.

Divorced parents, mother remarried

How to Write Wedding Invitations for Divorced Parents, Mother Remarried

Writing wedding invitations can be a tricky task, especially when dealing with divorced parents. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you navigate this situation gracefully:

Basic Rules and Etiquette

• The basic rule of thumb is to tread lightly and avoid salting old wounds. You don't want to bring public attention to your parents' marital status or create any unnecessary drama.
• List your natural parents' names separately on their own lines. Avoid using "and" between their names, as it signifies marriage.
• The mother's name always comes first, regardless of her marital status or financial contribution to the wedding.
• If your mother has remarried and her new spouse has played a significant role in your life, include his name on the same line as your mother's.
• If your father has remarried, and you want to include your stepmother, list her name separately, without using "and" between their names.
• If one parent has been deceased, you can honour them by including their name and specifying their relationship to the bride or groom.

Invitation Wording Examples

Divorced Mother Remarried, Father Not Remarried:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

Mr. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's Name]

Divorced Parents, Both Remarried:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's Name]

Divorced Mother Remarried, Father Not Contributing Financially:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

Along with Mr. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's Name]

Divorced Mother Remarried, Both Parents Contributing Financially:

Along with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones

And Mr. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's Name]

Bride and Groom Hosting with Divorced Parents:

[Bride's Name]

And

[Groom's Name]

Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding

Everyone Hosting:

Together with their families

[Bride's Name]

And

[Groom's Name]

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you should do what feels right for your unique family situation. You can always adapt and combine these examples to fit your needs.

Divorced parents, father remarried

When addressing wedding invitations to guests, it's important to get the wording right, especially when dealing with divorced parents. Here are some suggestions for how to word your invitations when your parents are divorced and your father is remarried:

Both parents contributing financially

If both your parents are contributing financially to your wedding, it is appropriate to include both of their names on the invitation, even if they are divorced. Here is an example of how to word the invitation:

"Ms. Sarah Smith

Mr. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's name]"

In this example, "Ms." is used instead of "Mrs." to eliminate any confusion, especially if your mother has kept her married name or if your parents have different last names. If your mother has remarried and changed her last name, be sure to include your own last name to prevent confusion.

Father is hosting

If your father is the primary host of the wedding, the invitation can be worded as follows:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of Mr. Smith's daughter

[Bride's name]"

In this case, "Mr. and Mrs." is used before your father's name to indicate that he is remarried. Including "Mr. Smith's daughter" clarifies that you are the daughter of the divorced parent, not the stepparent.

Including step-parents

If you have a good relationship with your step-parents and want to include them on the invitation, you can do so by listing them separately. Here is an example:

"Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Smith

Along with

Mr. Thomas Jones and Mrs. Smith-Jones

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter

[Bride's name]"

In this example, your father and stepmother are listed first, followed by your mother and stepfather. This format ensures that both sets of parents are acknowledged and respected.

Keeping it simple

If you feel that listing all the names is too wordy, you can opt for a simpler approach:

"Together with their families

[Bride's name] and [Groom's name]

Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"

This option avoids any potential drama or confusion by focusing on the couple and their families, without specifically naming the divorced and remarried parents.

Remember, the most important thing is to do what feels right for you and your family dynamics. These are just suggested guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your unique situation.

Divorced parents, neither remarried

Wedding Invitation Wording for Divorced Parents, Neither Remarried

If your parents are divorced and neither has remarried, there are a few ways you can choose to word your wedding invitations. Here are some options to consider:

Option 1: Including Both Parents' Names

In this option, you can include both of your parents' names on separate lines, followed by a request for the guest's presence at the wedding. Here's an example:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> Mr. John Smith

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

If your mother has kept her married name, you can simply use "Mr." and "Ms." or "Mrs." with the shared last name. However, if your mother has reverted to her maiden name, it is appropriate to include the bride's last name to prevent confusion.

Option 2: Including One Parent's Name

If you prefer, you can choose to include just one parent's name on the invitation. This could be the parent who is more closely involved in the wedding planning or who is contributing financially. Here's an example:

> Ms. Sarah Smith

> requests the pleasure of your company at the wedding of her daughter

Option 3: "Together with Their Families"

If you're looking for a more concise option that avoids listing individual names, you can go with the phrase "Together with their families." This option is especially useful if multiple family members are contributing to the wedding or if you want to avoid any potential tension between divorced parents. Here's how it would look:

> Together with their families

> Bride's name and Groom's name

> Invite you to their wedding

Additional Considerations:

• Mother's Name First: Traditionally, the mother's name is listed before the father's name, unless the mother is not contributing financially to the wedding, in which case the father's name can go first.
• No "And": Remember to omit the word "and" between your parents' names, as this word signifies marriage and is only used to unite married couples.
• Include Step-parents: If you have a close relationship with a step-parent, you can choose to include them on the invitation as well. Simply list them on the same line as your parent, following the same format as Option 1.

Divorced parents, mother remarried, different last name

If you are facing the tricky situation of having divorced parents with your mother remarried and wanting to include her on your wedding invitation, there are a few ways to go about it. Here are some suggestions and guidelines to help you navigate this delicate matter:

Etiquette and Format:

It is generally advised to list the mother's name first, regardless of her marital status or financial contribution. When listing divorced parents, their names should appear on separate lines with no "and" between them. This is to avoid any implication of marriage or union between them. The basic rule of thumb is to tread lightly and avoid salting old wounds or bringing attention to any sensitive matters.

Including Remarried Mother:

If your mother has remarried and you want to include her and your stepfather on the invitation, you have a few options. You can choose to list them separately, using their full names and titles, such as:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Mother's Married Name]

> Mr. [Father's Name]

Or, if you prefer a more concise approach, you can use the phrase "together with their families" to indicate that both your mother and father, along with their respective spouses, are included without listing everyone's names. This option avoids a lengthy list of names and maintains a clutter-free invitation.

Honouring Both Biological Parents:

If you want to honour both your biological parents and include your remarried mother, you can consider a format similar to the following:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Mother's Married Name]

> Mr. [Father's Name]

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

Modern Alternatives:

If traditional formats don't suit your situation or preferences, you can also opt for more modern approaches. One option is to have the invitation come directly from you and your fiancé, along with a line such as "along with their families" or "together with their parents." This approach emphasises your role as hosts and avoids the need to navigate complex family dynamics on the invitation.

Another modern option is to list only the names of the people getting married, without any mention of parents or stepparents. This approach is especially relevant if you and your fiancé are paying for the wedding yourselves.

Remember, the most important consideration is to do what feels right for you and your family dynamics. These suggestions are guidelines, but ultimately, you can choose the wording that reflects your unique situation and relationships.

Frequently asked questions