Etiquette Guide: Junior's Name On Father-Of-The-Bride Invite

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to names and titles. The traditional format includes a host line, which is usually the bride's parents, followed by the request line, and then the action line. When it comes to names, it is recommended to spell them out in full and avoid nicknames or initials. However, abbreviations like Jr. and Sr. are acceptable when referring to junior and senior.

So, if the father of the bride is a junior, his name would typically be written as Mr. [Name] [Surname], junior or Mr. [Name] [Surname], Jr. with a comma after the surname. This format ensures clarity and adheres to standard wedding invitation etiquette.

The role of hosts

When the bride's parents are hosting, the invitation is issued by "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their full names. If they have different last names, "and" is used to join them. For divorced parents, the mother's name is listed first, followed by the father's, each on a separate line. In the case of a widowed mother, "Mrs." or "Ms." is used before her name.

If both sets of parents are hosting, the bride's parents' names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed according to preference or to achieve the best design layout.

When the couple and their families are contributing, a phrase such as "Together with their families" or "Together with their parents" is used as the host line. If the couple is hosting themselves, the host line can be skipped or replaced with a warm introduction like "Together with full hearts".

It is important to note that "junior" or "senior" should be written out in full or abbreviated as "Jr." or "Sr." with capital letters and a comma after the last name.

The hosts' names on the wedding invitation are a significant aspect of traditional etiquette, indicating financial responsibility and the act of "giving" the bride away. However, modern weddings often involve multiple contributors, and the invitation wording should be adapted to suit the unique circumstances of each couple and their families.

Abbreviating junior

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different ways to abbreviate "junior". The most formal way to include "junior" on a wedding invitation is to spell out the word in lowercase, preceded by a comma: "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, junior". When abbreviating, it is proper to capitalise the "J" and include a period: "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.". This same rule applies to "senior": "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, senior" or "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Sr.".

It is worth noting that "junior" and "senior" are typically used to refer to fathers and sons with the same name. If a man is named after his father, who is a junior, then the son will be the third, or "III". In this case, no comma is needed: "Mr. Thomas Elias Jones III".

While it is generally discouraged to use nicknames or initials on wedding invitations, "junior" and "senior" are exceptions and can be abbreviated or spelled out.

Who to invite

When it comes to wedding invitations, the question of who to invite can be a tricky one. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Immediate Family

Your immediate family members, including parents, siblings, and grandparents, should definitely be on the guest list. This also includes your siblings' spouses and children. If you have stepparents, step-siblings, or half-siblings, it's common to invite them as well.

Wedding Party Members

Your wedding party, such as the maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and ushers, should be at the top of your list. These individuals are often your closest friends and family, so their presence is essential.

Close Friends and Chosen Family

Your closest friends and chosen family, who may also be part of your wedding party, are must-haves on your guest list. These are the people who bring you joy and will be excited to celebrate with you.

Extended Family

When it comes to extended family, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, it's important to be fair and equitable. If you invite one first cousin, it's considerate to invite them all, including your partner's first cousins if desired.

Family Friends

Family friends, especially those you've known for a long time and are still in touch with, can be included on your guest list. These are people who have watched you grow up and are like family.

School Friends

School friends, whether from high school or college, can add a joyful and nostalgic element to your wedding. If you're still in touch with them and they know your partner, they can be great additions to the guest list.

Parents' Friends

If your parents are contributing financially to the wedding, they may want to invite some of their friends. While it's not mandatory to include them, it can be a nice gesture, especially if these friends have been supportive of your family over the years.

Religious or Interest Groups

If you're part of religious or interest groups, such as sports teams, book clubs, or volunteer groups, you may want to consider inviting members of these groups. However, this is entirely optional and depends on your relationship with them.

Casual Friends and Social Media Contacts

Casual friends and social media contacts are usually lower on the priority list. Unless you're having a very large wedding with no budget constraints, these individuals can be cut from the guest list.

Plus-Ones

The topic of plus-ones is a tricky one. Anyone in a serious relationship, engaged, married, or living together, should be invited with a plus-one. For other guests, it's more discretionary. You can decide based on factors such as whether they know other guests or if it's a destination wedding.

Children

Whether or not to invite children is entirely up to you. You can choose to include only children who are part of the wedding party or none at all. It's important to stick to your decision and not make exceptions to avoid drama.

Coworkers

You are not obligated to invite coworkers to your wedding, especially if your relationship is purely professional. However, if you're friends with them outside of work, feel free to add them to the guest list.

Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love with the people who matter to you. Don't feel pressured to invite anyone out of obligation. Create a guest list that reflects your relationships and priorities, and don't be afraid to set boundaries.

Honouring a deceased parent

Before the Wedding

• Visit their grave: You can do this before the wedding day, the day after, or even right after the wedding. Visit the grave alone or with your spouse and leave a bouquet of flowers.
• Wear their favourite scent: Wearing their favourite perfume or cologne is a unique way to feel their presence throughout the day.
• Incorporate their favourite flowers: Honour them by including their favourite flowers in your wedding bouquet or buttonhole.
• Add a keepsake to your bouquet: Add a locked or photo charm, or a symbol such as a feather or an angel wing charm, to your bouquet.
• Wear a family heirloom: Wear an item of jewellery or a watch that they have passed down to you, or borrow one for the day.

During the Ceremony

• Leave a chair open: Leave a chair open in the front rows to represent their presence and the fact that their memory is with you.
• Light a memorial candle: In many cultures, lighting a candle is a symbol of unity. You can light a candle to represent your loved one and their presence.
• Write a message in the programs: If you're printing a program for your wedding day, include a short tribute to your loved one. It can be as simple as mentioning their name with the words "remembering" or "in remembrance".
• Carry a memento with you: Carry or wear a memento, such as their cufflinks, handkerchief, or an heirloom necklace, with you during the ceremony.
• Incorporate their memory in the ceremony: Talk to the officiant and ask them to include quotes, passages, or other tributes to honour your loved one during the ceremony.

During the Reception

• Play their favourite song: Playing their favourite song is a great way to honour them and start the celebrations.
• Create a commemorative presentation: Share slideshows, videos, and memories of your loved one. You can play this in the background or with your guests.
• Set up a memory table: Create a special space at the reception with framed photos, sentimental objects, and keepsakes of the person you're honouring.
• Display a special piece of art: Get a piece of art, such as a hand-illustrated or digitally hand-finished portrait of you and your loved one, to display at the reception.
• Play their favourite drink: Serve a drink they were known for drinking, or offer their signature cocktail.
• Honour them in a speech: You can say a few words in your speech or ask a member of the wedding party to pay homage to them.
• Give a special toast: Raise a glass to your loved one, perhaps with their favourite drink, and share a few personal words.

Wedding Invitations

If you wish to include the name of a deceased parent on your wedding invitations, it is important not to use wording that implies that the deceased is issuing the invitation. For example:

> "Doreen Louise Michaels, daughter of Mrs. Marvin Gadsden Michaels and the late Mr. Michaels, and Roger Leonard Simpkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Simpkins, request the honour of your presence..."

Formal vs informal invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, the level of formality is entirely up to the couple. The formality of the invitation is often a reflection of the wedding itself, so the wording and design of the invite should match the tone of the event. Here is a more detailed breakdown of formal versus informal invitations:

Formal Invitations

Formal wedding invitations are typically used for traditional or upscale weddings. This style of invitation will usually include the following elements:

• Full names and titles of the hosts: For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wayne Adamson".
• Spell-out of all words: No abbreviations are used, including for dates and times.
• British spellings: For example, "honour" instead of "honor", and "favour" instead of "favor".
• Formal phrasing: The invitation may use phrases such as "request the honour of your presence" for a ceremony in a house of worship, or "the pleasure of your company" for other venues.
• Full names of the couple: The bride's first and middle name are used if she shares her parents' last name. The groom's name is also spelled out and is usually preceded by a title, such as "Mr.".
• Formal date and time format: The date and time are spelled out in full, with no abbreviations or numerical figures. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at two o'clock in the afternoon".
• Full address of the venue: The city, state, and zip code are included. The state can be omitted if all guests are local.
• Separate reception card: Formal invitations usually include a separate card for reception details.
• Formal RSVP wording: For a formal tone, the RSVP card should also be spelled out, with no abbreviations.
• Formal envelope addressing: Envelopes are addressed using formal names and titles, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Noah McCarthy".

Informal Invitations

Informal wedding invitations are perfect for couples who want a casual vibe or are not prioritizing tradition. This style offers more flexibility and can include the following elements:

• Abbreviations and modern layouts: Informal invitations can use abbreviations and more contemporary wording.
• Omission of titles: Titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." can be left out.
• Informal phrasing: The invitation may use more casual language, such as "Join us for dinner & drinks" or "Request the pleasure of your company".
• Use of first names: Informal envelopes can be addressed using first names, such as "Noah and Sara McCarthy".
• Informal date and time format: Numerical figures or fun formatting can be used for the date and time, such as "2000 and twenty-four, at 1:00 pm".
• Reception details on the invitation: For an informal wedding, it is acceptable to include the reception information on the back of the invitation.
• Informal RSVP wording: Abbreviations and modern spellings can be used, such as "favor" instead of "favour".

Junior and Senior Titles on Wedding Invitations

When including "Junior" or "Senior" in a wedding invitation, the full word should be written out, followed by a comma. For example, "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, junior" or "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.". When abbreviating, the "J" or "S" should be capitalized, with no comma after the last name. For a man named after his father, who is a Junior, the title "III" is used without a comma.

Frequently asked questions