Writing Wedding Invitations: A Guide For Both Parents

Writing wedding invitations can be tricky, but honouring both sets of parents is a gracious and respectful gesture. Traditionally, the bride's parents host and their names come first, but modern invitations often include both sets of parents. Here are some tips on how to write wedding invitations from both parents.

The first line of most invitations mentions the host. If both sets of parents are hosting, you can use Together with their families or Together with our families. You can also include parents' or stepparents' names in a line below.

The next line is the request for guests to join you on your big day. This can be formal, such as request the honour of your presence, or more casual, like invite you to celebrate with them.

The names of the happy couple usually come next. Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, but this is not obligatory. Use full names, including middle names, or just first and last names or nicknames.

After the couple's names, include the date and time of the wedding, followed by the venue name, road, and state. If the reception is at a different location, include this too, with a simple Reception to follow or something more detailed like Drinks and dancing to follow.

Including a dress code is helpful for guests, and essential if your wedding is black tie.

Finally, include an RSVP card with a reply-by date, and space for guests to write their names.

Host Line: Include both sets of parents' names

The host line of a wedding invitation is where you list the names of those hosting (i.e., paying for) the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, but nowadays, it is common for both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of the couple and both sets of parents to host and pay for the wedding.

If both sets of parents are hosting, you can list the parents' full names, with the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, followed by the groom's parents' names. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Reception to follow.

If the couple and both sets of parents are contributing, you can opt for something like:

> Together with their parents/families, Olivia Rose and John Michael request the honour of your presence at their wedding on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address] Reception to follow.

If the couple has divorced parents, you can include all parents' names, keeping each parent on a separate line. For example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory, 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 01.06.18 | 4 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Newport, California Reception immediately after.

For same-sex couples, the listing of names can be according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

Attendance Request: Ask guests to attend

When it comes to the "Attendance Request" section of your wedding invitations, there are a few ways to ask your guests to attend your celebration. Here are some examples of wording you can use, depending on who is hosting the wedding:

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

If both sets of parents are hosting the wedding, you can use wording such as:

> "Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, together with Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael."

Alternatively, you could use a less formal approach:

> "Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael."

Couple Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the wording can be more direct:

> "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim."

Or, for a more light-hearted and casual tone:

> "Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot."

Couple and Both Sets of Parents Hosting

If both the couple and both sets of parents are hosting, you can include everyone's names:

> "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, together with their parents, Kenzie M. Smith, Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin, and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honour of your presence at their wedding."

Or, for a less formal approach:

> "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim, together with their joyful parents, hope you will attend their wedding."

Creative Wording

If you want to get creative with your wording, feel free to add a quirky twist to the attendance request:

> "It's a wedding! John and Eliza Smith invite you to celebrate their son, Jack Alexander, as he weds Mason Jacob Kim."

Or, for a fun and playful tone:

> "Good food, good drinks, good friends! Jack Smith and Mason Kim request you to celebrate with them as they get hitched."

Remember, these are just a few examples to give you an idea of the wording you can use. Feel free to personalise the attendance request to match your style and the tone of your wedding celebration.

Couple's Names: Display names in larger text

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface.

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. The bride's parents' names are usually listed at the top of the invite, and the groom's parents' names are listed below. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim"
• "Jack Alexander and Mason Jacob"
• "Olivia Rose and John Michael"
• "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily"

Date and Time: Spell out or use numerals

When it comes to the date and time on your wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to format this information. The style you choose will depend on the level of formality of your wedding and your personal preference.

Formal Weddings

For formal weddings, the traditional way to write the date and time is to spell them out in full, rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be:

> Saturday, the seventeenth of August, 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 written as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." Evening begins at five o'clock, and the period from noon until four o'clock is considered the afternoon.

Informal Weddings

For informal weddings, it is acceptable to use numerals for the date and time. Using the same example as above, this could be written as:

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

Other Considerations

Regardless of the style you choose, be sure to include the day of the week and the year to provide your guests with all the information they need. It is also important to be consistent with the formatting you choose throughout your invitation suite, including any response cards.

Location: Include venue name, street address, state and zip code

When it comes to the location, it's important to include the venue's name, street address, state, and zip code. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect wedding invitation:

Location Details:

• Venue Name: Start by mentioning the name of the venue where the wedding will take place. This could be a church, a hotel, a garden, or any other location.
• Street Address: Include the full street address of the venue. This is especially important if the venue is private property or if omitting it may cause confusion.
• State and Zip Code: Provide the state and zip code information to give your guests a clear understanding of the wedding location. For international guests, consider adding the country as well.

Examples:

• "The Ritz-Carlton, 123 Main Street, Boston, MA 02109"
• "Gulf Beach Resort Motel, 456 Beach Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236"
• "St. Louis Cathedral, 789 Cathedral Lane, New Orleans, LA 70116"
• "The Country Club, 101 Elm Street, Anytown, TX 75001"

Remember to include the relevant details and double-check the accuracy of the address to ensure your guests can find the venue easily.

Frequently asked questions