The Perfect Wedding Fete: Inviting Guests To Your Big Day

Wedding invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get them right. Fete Collection is an award-winning, luxury wedding invitation and event stationery design studio located in Boston, Massachusetts. They design invitations for weddings in destinations like Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Newport, Maine and Vermont, as well as for chic parties around the globe. But what should you include on your wedding invitations? The key details are the host, the couple, the date, the time, the location, the dress code (optional), and the wedding website. You'll also need to include an RSVP card and envelope, and you might want to include extra information about the venue, especially if it's in an unusual location.

Host Line: Include the names of the hosts (traditionally, the bride's parents)

Wedding invitation wording typically begins with a host line. This is where you list the names of the hosts, who are usually the people paying for the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents host and so their names come first. However, it is becoming more common to list the names of both sets of parents, and this is an acceptable and gracious option. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you could go for something like "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line altogether or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

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 the two names.

• 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. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, 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.

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

Couple Is Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, many choose to add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

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

Honouring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include their name alongside one of the couple's names. Here's an example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez," or "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez."

Request Line: Request the pleasure of your company or invite you to celebrate with them

The request line of a wedding invitation is where you extend an invitation to your guests and set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of request lines using "request the pleasure of your company" or "invite you to celebrate with them":

Request the Pleasure of Your Company

• "Together with their families, Jordan and Blake request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration."
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of Emma and Sophia."
• "Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Jackson."
• "Join us as we celebrate! Your presence is requested at the wedding of Sarah and Daniel."

Invite You to Celebrate with Them

• "You are invited to celebrate the union of Rebecca and Victoria."
• "We invite you to celebrate with us as we exchange our vows, Emma and Michael."
• "Join us as we dance the night away! We invite you to celebrate our special day, Hannah and Caleb."
• "Let's eat, drink, and be married! You are invited to celebrate with us, Madeline and Ethan."

Remember to include the names of the hosts (usually the people paying for the wedding) before the request line and the names of the couple getting married after the request line. You can also add a line about the location and time of the ceremony, such as "at half past four o'clock in the afternoon at The Grand Hotel."

Couple's Names: The bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's

Wedding invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get them right! Here are some tips and suggestions for listing the couple's names, specifically for "Couples Names: The bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's".

For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, you can order the names in a way that feels right to you. You can include your first and middle names, first and last names, or even your full legal names. If your parents' names are mentioned, you might just use your first and middle names, or first names only for a less formal feel.

For same-sex couples, you have more flexibility. You can list the names alphabetically by surname, or by age, or however else you prefer, including using the order that looks best with the invitation design.

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top of the invitation, the bride's name can be her first and middle name only (without the last name). In this case, the groom's name can be listed in full, or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's name]".

Don't forget to proofread the invitations before sending them to print!

Date and Time: Include the day, date, month, year, hour and time of day

The date and time of your wedding are crucial pieces of information for your guests, so it's important to include them on your invitations. Here are some tips and suggestions for how to do this:

Day, Date, Month, and Year:

Spell out the day of the week, the date, the month, and the year in full. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, write "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase.

Hour and Time of Day:

Include the hour and specify whether it is AM or PM. For a formal invitation, write out the time in words rather than using numerals. For example, for a ceremony starting at 4:30 PM, you could write "half after four o'clock in the afternoon". From noon until 4 PM is considered afternoon, and evening begins at 5 PM.

Other Considerations:

If you are sending out save-the-date cards, your guests will already have the date of your wedding. However, it is still important to include the date and time on your invitations to avoid any confusion or latecomers. You may also want to include an RSVP deadline, which is typically three to four weeks before the wedding date. This will give you enough time to confirm a final headcount with your venue and caterer.

Location: Provide the venue name and full address; if the reception is elsewhere, include a separate card

The location is a crucial element of your wedding invitation. It ensures your guests know where to go and when to be there. Here are some tips and suggestions for including the location in your wedding invitations:

Venue Name and Address

Provide the full name and address of your ceremony venue. The venue's street address is usually included unless the venue is a private residence. Zip codes are typically omitted. For formal weddings, the state name is often spelled out. For example:

> The Grand Hotel

> 123 Main Street

> Boston, Massachusetts

Reception Details

If your reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to Follow" or "Dinner and Dancing to Follow". This lets your guests know that the reception will be held in the same place. For example:

> The Grand Hotel

> 123 Main Street

> Boston, Massachusetts

> Reception to Follow

However, if your reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with all the relevant details, such as the time, venue name, and address. This can be included as part of the invitation suite. For example:

> The Grand Hotel

> 123 Main Street

> Boston, Massachusetts

> Reception:

> The Garden Cafe

> 456 Park Lane

> Boston, Massachusetts

Additional Venue Information

If your venue is in a unique location (e.g., a national park) or somewhere your guests may be unfamiliar with, consider including an insert with extra information. This could include parking instructions, a custom map, or a list of nearby attractions. This can be helpful for guests who haven't visited the venue before and can reduce the number of questions you receive.

Proofreading and Extras

Before sending your invitations for printing, be sure to proofread them carefully. Check for any errors or typos, and consider having someone else review it as well. Additionally, order a few extra invitations to account for last-minute guest list additions or lost mail.

Frequently asked questions