Crafting Wedding Invitations: Shoes And Style

Wedding invitations are an important part of wedding planning. They are often one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel, and they convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation should include the who, what, where, and when of the event. This includes the host line, the request to attend, the names of the couple, the date and time, the location, and reception details. The invitation may also include an optional dress code and separate response or details cards. While the specific wording and level of formality may vary depending on the couple's preferences and the style of the wedding, the invitation should clearly communicate the essential details of the wedding celebration.

How to word the host line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation, naming the hosts of the event. Here are some tips and examples to help you word the host line:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names for a very formal wedding. If they have different last names, write "and" to join their names. For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the 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)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect the two names. For example:

• Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory
• Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner
• Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

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, list the names according to preference or in the order 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)
• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes (formal)

Couple Hosting with Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as "Together with their families". For example:

• Together with their families
• Together with our families
• Together with their parents

Couple Hosting Themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy
• The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of...
• Together with joyful parents

Honoring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include their name alongside the couple's. For example:

• Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez and the late Robert Martinez
• Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French

Same-Sex Parents Hosting

To include the names of two parents with different last names, use "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Mx." and list their names in alphabetical order by last name. For parents with the same last name, list their names in alphabetical order by first name. For example:

• Mr. Michael and Mr. Sean Flannigan
• Ms. Jane and Ms. Courtney Lowe

How to word the attendance request

The attendance request is the part of the wedding invitation that lets guests know exactly what they're being invited to. Here are some tips and examples to help you word the attendance request:

Ways to Ask for the Pleasure of Your Guests' Company

There are several ways to word the attendance request, depending on the formality of your wedding and who is hosting. Here are some options:

• "The pleasure of your company"
• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "The honour of your presence" (or "honor" if you prefer the American spelling)

The British spelling of "honour" traditionally indicates that the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship. If you're having a religious ceremony and want to convey a more formal and traditional feel, using this spelling is a subtle way to do so.

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you want to include the name of a parent who has passed away, you can rearrange the wording to include them, as they can't be listed as a host. Here's an 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 at their wedding..."

Honouring Divorced Parents

If you want to include divorced parents as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner. Here's an 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..."

Wording for Same-Sex Couples

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Whether it's "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily," either option is acceptable. Same-sex couples can choose to list their names in alphabetical order or simply go with what sounds better.

Spelling Out Dates and Times

For formal weddings, it's customary to write out dates and times in full (no numerals). The year is optional, as it is usually assumed that the wedding will take place on the nearest date. Time of day is typically spelled out using "o'clock" or "half after five o'clock." The use of a.m. or p.m. is optional. For casual weddings, using numerals is fine.

Venue Address and Reception Information

The street address of the venue is usually not needed unless omitting it would cause confusion or if the wedding is taking place at the host's home. The city and state should always be written out in full.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "reception to follow" or "and afterward at the reception." If the reception is elsewhere, include the location on a separate line.

Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

Final Thoughts

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can add your own personal touches to make your invitations unique. Feel free to riff off these principles and get creative with your wording!

How to format the couple's names

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 before the groom's name. However, this tradition is not mandatory, and couples can choose to format their names in a way that feels most comfortable for them.

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. The traditional rule of the woman's name first and the man's name second does not apply here.

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be her first and middle name, without the last name. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by the line "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and the parents' last name.

For a less formal feel, you may opt to list only the first names of the couple.

Traditionally, the date and time should be spelled out in full. For example, if your ceremony is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording should read, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

Examples

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim..."
• "Together with their families: Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes..."
• "Come party with us: Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim..."
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends: Jack Smith & Mason Kim..."
• "With much love: John and Eliza Smith invite you to celebrate their son Jack Alexander..."

How to format the date and time

The date and time are essential details that should be included in a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to format this information:

Spelling Out the Date and Time

Traditional wedding invitation wording typically spells out the date and time in full. For example, if your wedding is on the 15th of September 2024 at 4:00 pm, the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." Here, the day of the week and the month are capitalised, and the year is in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day is also spelled out, with options such as “four o'clock” or “half after four o'clock." To indicate the time of day, you can add phrases like “in the afternoon” or “in the evening." Noon until 4:00 pm is considered the afternoon, and anything from 5:00 pm onwards is considered the evening.

Using Numerical Figures

In contrast, modern wedding invitations often use numerical figures for the date and time. For example, "4:00 pm" or "4:30 pm." If you choose this style, be sure to use a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g., a "2" that could be mistaken for a "5").

Consistency and Readability

Regardless of the style you choose, consistency is key. Ensure that the format you select aligns with the overall tone and formality of your invitation. The goal is to provide clear and readable information for your guests.

Other Considerations

If your wedding has a specific theme or colour scheme, you may want to incorporate that into the formatting of the date and time. For example, if you're having a rustic-themed wedding, you might use a font that resembles handwritten script.

Additionally, consider the amount of space available on your invitation. If space is limited, you may need to be more concise or use numerical figures to save room for other essential details.

Remember, the most important aspect is to provide clear and accurate information about the date and time of your wedding so that your guests can plan accordingly.

How to include dress code information

Including dress code information on your wedding invitation is optional, but it can be helpful for guests. If you don't include this information, guests will infer the dress code from the formality of the invitation itself. A very fancy invitation will likely lead guests to anticipate a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation suggests a more casual dress code.

If you do choose to include dress code information, there are three main places you can do so: on the invitation itself, on a separate information or details card, or on your wedding website. Here are some suggestions for how to include dress code information in each of these places:

On the Invitation

Place the dress code in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre of the design. This is also where you can indicate if the dress code is optional, for example, "Black tie optional".

On a Separate Information or Details Card

If you are including a separate card with other important information for your guests, you can use this space to list the dress code as well. This keeps your invitation simple and uncluttered.

On Your Wedding Website

If you are providing a wedding website for other details and information, you can use this space to list the dress code.

Wording Suggestions

The style of your dress code wording should be consistent with the rest of your invitation. The dress code can be written with or without a colon or other mark, such as a bullet point or vertical bar, depending on your design. Here are some examples:

• Dress Formal
• Dress Code: Formal
• Formal Attire (Black Tie Optional)
• Black Tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal Attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail Attire (suits or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach Casual (long- or short-sleeve shirts with pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)

Frequently asked questions