Franklin Dean
Honouring a deceased parent on a wedding invitation can be challenging, but there are ways to include their name. While some believe that the invitation is not the place to do this, others feel it is a nice way to keep their memory alive on the wedding day. One way to do this is to include the deceased parent's name in the invitation wording. For example, John Smith, son of Sally Smith and the late John Smith. Another option is to use a phrase such as “together with their families” to include both the living and deceased parents without specifically naming them. Ultimately, it is a personal choice, and there are other ways to honour a deceased parent during the wedding, such as lighting a candle or including their favourite poem or song.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wording | "Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name of deceased parent] and [Name of living parent] invite you to the marriage of their [daughter/son] [Name of bride/groom] to [Name of groom/bride], [son/daughter] of [Names of groom's/bride's parents]" |
| "Mr/Mrs/Ms [Name of bride's parent] and the late [Name of groom's parent] invite you to the marriage of their [daughter/son] [Name of bride/groom] to [Name of groom/bride], [son/daughter] of [Names of groom's parents]" | |
| "Together with their families, [Name of bride] and [Name of groom] invite you to their wedding..." | |
| "With profound joy, you are cordially invited to witness the marriage of [Name of bride] and [Name of groom]" | |
| Honouring deceased parent | Include deceased parent's name in the program as "[Name of bride/groom], [son/daughter] of the late [Name of deceased parent]" |
| Carry a small picture of the deceased parent or a remembrance of them in the bridal bouquet | |
| Wrap the deceased parent's favourite tie around the bouquet stem | |
| Play the deceased parent's favourite song during the reception | |
| Serve the deceased parent's favourite food or drink |
What You'll Learn
- Including a deceased parent in the invitation wording
- Honouring a deceased parent without mentioning them in the invitation
- Wording for a deceased parent and step-parent in the invitation
- Wording for a deceased parent and living parent in the invitation
- Alternatives to mentioning a deceased parent in the invitation
Including a deceased parent in the invitation wording
Formal Wording
If you prefer a more traditional or formal approach, you can include the deceased parent's name along with the surviving parent. For example:
> Mrs Sharon Henderson
>
> and the late Mr Nathan Henderson
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their daughter
>
> Preston John Brackman
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at six o'clock in the evening
>
> Dripping Springs, Texas
This format can be adapted for same-sex weddings by swapping "daughter" for "son". It can also be adjusted if the groom's parent has passed away or if you wish to include step-parents.
Informal Wording
If you prefer a less formal approach, you can simply list the names of the deceased and surviving parents without specifying their titles. For example:
> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma
>
> along with their families
>
> invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children
>
> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm
>
> Bluxome Street Winery
>
> San Francisco, California
Other Options
If you are uncomfortable with including the deceased parent on the invitation, there are other ways to honour them. You can choose to include their name in the wedding programme or make a tribute to them during the ceremony or reception. Some ideas include displaying their photo, including their favourite song or food, or wrapping their favourite tie around your bouquet stem.
Remember, the most important thing is to go with your heart and do what feels right for you. Your guests will appreciate the sentiment, and your parent's memory will be honoured.
Staples' Wedding Invitation Design and Print Services
You may want to see also
Honouring a deceased parent without mentioning them in the invitation
Honouring a deceased parent is a thoughtful way to remember them on your wedding day. Here are some ideas for how to do this without mentioning them in the invitation:
Memorial Items to Wear
A physical tribute can be a powerful way to keep your parent close to you on your wedding day. Consider wearing a photo of them in a small frame or locket, or adding a photo charm to your bouquet. You could also wear a piece of their clothing, such as a pocket square, or a piece of jewellery that they gave you. Another idea is to add a patch of fabric that reminds you of them to the inside of your jacket or dress, or even incorporate it into your wedding attire.
Flowers
Flowers are a beautiful way to remember a loved one. You could carry a bouquet with their favourite flowers or add a stem of their favourite flower to your buttonhole. White roses are also a thoughtful choice, as they symbolise remembrance and honour.
Scents
A unique way to remember your parent is to wear their favourite perfume or aftershave on the day. This can be a private tribute, as not everyone will know the meaning behind the scent, but you will know you are carrying a piece of them with you.
Speeches and Music
You could ask your celebrant, priest, or officiant to say a few words about your parent during the ceremony. Alternatively, you could pen something for them to read, such as a special memory or a wish for their presence. If you don't want to say anything during the ceremony, you could also give a brief toast or mention them in a speech during the reception. Playing their favourite song at some point during the day is another way to honour them.
Memorial Table
You can create a special memorial table at the reception with framed photos, sentimental objects, and keepsakes of your parent. You could also include a memory box where guests can write down and share their favourite memories. If you don't want a whole table, you could set up a small display with a photo and a candle.
Food and Drink
If your parent loved to cook or experiment with recipes, you could serve food inspired by them at the reception. Alternatively, you could serve their favourite drink or a signature cocktail inspired by them. You could also offer wedding favours in their honour, such as jars of their favourite sweets or miniature bottles of their favourite drink.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to honour a deceased parent at your wedding. Do what feels right and appropriate for you, and don't be afraid to reach out to others for support if you need it.
Wedding Invites: Mailing Etiquette for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Wording for a deceased parent and step-parent in the invitation
Including deceased parents and step-parents on your wedding invitation can be tricky, but it's a great way to honour their memory. Here are some suggestions for wording your invitations gracefully while acknowledging your loved ones:
Traditional and Formal Wording:
This format is suitable for a traditional wedding and can be adapted for same-sex weddings:
> [Name of bride/groom's mother]
>
> and the late [Name of bride/groom's father]
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their [daughter/son]
>
> [Name of bride/groom]
>
> on [date]
>
> at [time]
>
> [Venue and address]
For example:
> Mrs Sharon Henderson
>
> and the late Mr Nathan Henderson
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their daughter
>
> Preston John Brackman
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at five o'clock in the evening
>
> Dripping Springs, Texas
Less Formal Wording:
If you prefer a less formal approach, you can still acknowledge your parents gracefully:
> [Name of bride/groom's mother] and the late [Name of bride/groom's father]
>
> the families and friends of
>
> at the celebration of the marriage of their [daughter/son]
>
> [Name of bride/groom]
>
> on [date] at [time]
>
> [Venue and address]
For example:
> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma
>
> the families and friends of
>
> at the celebration of their marriage
>
> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm
>
> Bluxome Street Winery, San Francisco, California
Including a Step-parent:
If you would like to include a step-parent, the following format is a thoughtful way to honour both your deceased parent and step-parent:
> [Name of step-parent] and [Name of surviving parent]
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of her/his
>
> and the late [Name of deceased parent]'s [daughter/son]
>
> on [date]
>
> at [time]
>
> [Venue and address]
For example:
> Moira and Alistair Schiller
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of her
>
> and the late Porter Blackman's daughter
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at five o'clock in the evening
>
> [Venue and address]
Alternative Wording:
If you don't want to include your parents' names as the hosts, you can use a more general phrase like "Together with their families" to indicate that both sets of parents are involved. Here is an example:
> [Name of bride] and [Name of groom]
>
> Together with their families
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at their marriage
>
> on [date]
>
> at [time]
>
> [Venue and address]
Addressing Wedding Invites: Including "And Guest"?
You may want to see also
Wording for a deceased parent and living parent in the invitation
If you want to include your deceased parent on your wedding invitation, there are several ways to do so. Here are some examples of wording that includes both a deceased parent and a living parent:
Formal Wording for a Traditional Wedding
This example is formal and suitable for a traditional wedding. It can be adapted for same-sex weddings by swapping "daughter" for "son".
> Mrs. Sharon Henderson
>
> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their daughter
>
> Preston John Brackman
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at five o'clock in the evening
>
> Dripping Springs, Texas
Less Formal Wording
The following example is less formal and can also be adapted for same-sex weddings:
> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma,
>
> along with their families and friends,
>
> invite you to the celebration of their marriage
>
> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm
>
> Bluxome Street Winery
>
> San Francisco, California
Including a Step-Parent and a Deceased Parent
It is also possible to include a step-parent and a deceased parent on the invitation:
> Moira and Alistair Schiller
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of her
>
> and the late Porter Blackman's daughter
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at five o'clock in the evening
Alternative Ways to Honour a Deceased Parent
If you decide not to include your deceased parent on the invitation, there are other ways to honour them on your wedding day. For example, you could:
- Read their favourite poem during the ceremony
- Play their favourite song
- Light a candle for them
- Share a few words about how much you wish they were there
- Write a tribute in the program
Creating Wedding Invitation Cards: A DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Alternatives to mentioning a deceased parent in the invitation
There are several ways to approach wedding invitations when a parent has passed away. Here are some alternatives to mentioning a deceased parent in the invitation:
No Parents' Names
If you don't want to list any parents' names, you can use a general phrase like "Together with their families" to indicate that both sets of parents are hosting. This option avoids any potential issues with naming deceased parents and can be a good choice if you have complex family dynamics or prefer a more neutral approach.
Single Parent Wording
If one of your parents is still living, you can choose to only include their name on the invitation. This approach is straightforward and avoids the need to address the deceased parent directly. For example:
> Mrs. Angela Eldridge
> requests the honour of your presence
> at the marriage of her daughter
> Trevor Patrick Everett
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
> Two-thousand and twenty-six
> at six o'clock in the evening
> 1982 North Bay Avenue
Honouring the Deceased Parent in Other Ways
If you prefer not to mention the deceased parent on the invitation itself, there are other ways to honour their memory during the wedding planning process and on the wedding day:
- Wedding Announcements: If you're planning to make a newspaper announcement, you can include the deceased parent's name there.
- In-Law's Name: You can include the name of the deceased parent's spouse (your in-law) on the invitation, without directly mentioning the deceased parent.
- Memory Table: Set up a memory table at the reception with photos and mementos of the deceased parent.
- Reserved Seat: Reserve a seat at the ceremony and reception to symbolically include the deceased parent in the celebrations.
- Wedding Program: Include a special note or poem "in loving memory" of the deceased parent in the wedding program.
- Toasts and Readings: Raise a toast or include a memorial poem or reading during the ceremony or reception to honour the deceased parent.
- Flowers: Carry a bouquet or wear a floral arrangement that pays tribute to the deceased parent.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the best approach depends on your personal preferences and family dynamics. Choose the option that feels most comfortable and meaningful to you.
Addressing a Minister: Wedding Invitation Etiquette Made Easy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is generally not considered proper to list a deceased person on an invitation. However, it is your invitation, so you can do what you want. If you want to include them, you could word it as: " [Name of spouse], son/daughter of [name of living parent or step-parent] and the late [name of deceased parent]."
If you are the bride or groom and want to include your deceased parent on the invitation, you could write: "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [your name], daughter/son of the late [name of your deceased parent(s)] to [name of your fiancé(e)], son/daughter of [name of their parent(s)]."
There are many ways to honour a deceased parent during your wedding without including them on the invitation. You could have their favourite poem read at the ceremony, play their favourite song, light a candle for them, say a few words about how you wish they were there, or write a tribute for the program.
