How To Properly Address Wedding Invites To Groom's Parents

Wedding invitation wording can be a tricky business. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed first on the invitation, as they are usually the ones hosting and paying for the wedding. However, times are changing, and now it's not uncommon for multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves to host and pay for the wedding. So, what's the best way to go about it?

Well, it's important to consider who is contributing financially and to what extent. If the groom's parents are not contributing at all, it might be best to leave them off the invitation to avoid any potential hurt feelings or misunderstandings. However, if they are contributing in some way, it would be a nice gesture to include them, even if it's just a simple son of Mr. and Mrs. after the groom's name. Ultimately, it's up to the couple to decide what they're comfortable with and what reflects their situation best.

Should the groom's parents' names be included if they are not hosting?

The groom's parents' names can be included in the wedding invitation even if they are not hosting. This is a nice way to acknowledge and honour them. However, it is not necessary to include them, and the invitation can come directly from the couple.

Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed first on the invitation as they are usually the hosts, but now it is not uncommon for multiple sets of parents or the couple themselves to be listed first as hosts. The individuals hosting the wedding are typically listed first and are considered the formal hosts, indicating that they are shouldering the majority of the financial burden of the wedding.

If the groom's parents are not hosting, their names can be included after the bride's parents' names, for example: "Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their daughter Bride to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents".

A more modern approach is to include both sets of parents' names without indicating who is hosting, for example: "Together with their families, Bride & Groom request the pleasure of your company at their wedding".

Some people feel strongly that only the hosts should be listed on the invitation, while others believe it is a nice gesture to include both sets of parents, even if they are not contributing financially. Ultimately, it is a personal preference and the couple should use their best judgement based on their situation and discuss it with their families.

What are the traditional wedding invitation formats?

The traditional format for wedding invitations varies depending on who is hosting the wedding. Here are some examples of traditional wedding invitation formats:

Bride's Parents Hosting

The bride's parents are typically named at the top of the invitation, even for formal weddings. Here is an example of a traditional wedding invitation with the bride's parents as hosts:

> Doctor and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

> Mr. Brian Charles Jamison

> Saturday, the twentieth of June

> [two thousand fifteen]

> at half after three o'clock

> First Congregational Church

> Spring Hill, Minnesota

> and afterward at the reception

> Spring Hill Golf Club

Groom's Parents Hosting

If the groom's parents are hosting, their names are included at the top of the invitation, followed by the request for the guest's presence at the marriage of their son. Here is an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Diaz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Ms. [Miss] Latoya Kenisha Armond to their son Mr. Carlos Delapaz Diaz Friday, the fourteenth of November two thousand sixteen at six o'clock St. Thomas Cathedral Spokane, Washington

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

When both sets of parents are hosting, both the bride's and groom's parents' names are included at the beginning of the invitation. The bride's parents' names typically come first, followed by the groom's. Here is an example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zimmerli and Captain and Mrs. Aaron David Schwartz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Cynthia Ann Zimmerli to Daniel Issac Schwartz Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan

Couple Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the invitation can begin with a simple statement requesting the honour of the guests' presence at their marriage. The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes with a fancy typeface. Here is an example:

> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante to Mr. Robert Holden White Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia

Both Families Hosting

When both families are hosting together, the invitation can begin with a line such as "Together with their families" followed by the couple's names and the request for the guests' presence. Here is an example:

> Together with their families Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante and Mr. Robert Holden White request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia

How do you word an invitation when the groom's parents are not paying?

When the groom's parents are not contributing financially to the wedding, it is still possible to include their names on the invitation as a way of honouring them. However, if you choose not to, this is also perfectly acceptable. Here are some examples of how to word the invitations in both cases:

Including Groom's Parents' Names

If you would like to include the groom's parents' names, you can use wording such as:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Bride to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents."
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents, to Groom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Parents, on [date]."
• "Together with their families, Bride and Groom request the pleasure of your company at their wedding."

Not Including Groom's Parents' Names

If you prefer not to include the groom's parents' names, you can use wording such as:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their daughter Bride to Groom on [date]."
• "Bride and Groom invite you to join us for our wedding on [date] at [place]."
• "You are invited to the wedding of Bride and Groom on [date]."

Ultimately, the decision on how to word your wedding invitations is a personal one and should reflect your preferences and the level of formality you wish to convey.

What are modern alternatives to traditional invitations?

There are many modern alternatives to traditional wedding invitations. Here are some ideas to consider:

Materials

• Acrylic
• Vellum
• Leather
• Scroll
• Chinoiserie
• Ribbon
• Wax seal
• Handkerchief
• Film canister
• Vinyl record
• Wood
• Plexiglass
• Chocolate

Design

• Fun shapes (circles, arches, abstract cut-outs)
• Playful font colors
• Hand-painted artwork
• Symbols of your celebration (e.g. drums, trumpets, cocktails)
• Custom crests or monograms
• Retro or vintage-inspired designs
• Illustrations or paintings
• Color-blocking
• Celestial or astrological themes
• Chinoiserie
• Destination-inspired designs (e.g. maps, local architecture, repeating motifs)

Format

• Booklet
• Multi-page insert
• Non-traditional text alignment
• Foldable illustration
• Website link

What are the pros and cons of including the groom's parents' names?

Including the groom's parents' names on a wedding invitation is a matter of personal preference, and there are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.

Pros of Including the Groom's Parents' Names:

• It is a traditional way of writing wedding invitations and can be a nice way to honour the groom's parents.
• It can be a way to show respect and gratitude towards the groom's parents for their contribution to the wedding, whether financial or otherwise.
• It may be important to the groom's parents to be included on the invitation, especially if they are sensitive about not being mentioned.
• Including both sets of parents can be a way to indicate that the wedding is a joining of two families.

Cons of Including the Groom's Parents' Names:

• It can be seen as a way to indicate financial contribution, which may not be the case for the groom's parents.
• If the bride's parents are the only ones hosting or contributing financially, including the groom's parents' names may not accurately reflect the reality of the situation.
• It can be seen as unnecessary or cumbersome to include the groom's parents' names, especially if space is limited on the invitation.
• Not including the groom's parents' names is a more modern approach and may be preferred by couples who want a more contemporary feel to their invitations.
• It may be important to the bride's parents to be the only ones listed as hosts, especially if they are contributing significantly more than the groom's parents.

Ultimately, the decision to include the groom's parents' names on a wedding invitation depends on the couple's preferences, the level of formality desired, and the importance of adhering to tradition. It is also essential to consider the feelings of both sets of parents and find a solution that honours and respects everyone involved.

Frequently asked questions