Traditional Wedding Invitations: Timeless And Classic Choices

Wedding invitations are the first official announcement of a couple's wedding to their guests. They are a vital part of the wedding planning process as they provide essential details such as the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony and reception. The type of invitation a couple chooses will depend on the formality of their wedding, their personal style, and any cultural or religious traditions they may be following.

Traditional wedding invitations are typically formal and elegant, adhering to established etiquette and customs. They are often printed on high-quality cardstock or paper and may include additional inserts such as RSVP cards, reception cards, and directions to the venue.

The most traditional wedding invitations feature classic designs, such as engraved or letterpress printing, and follow specific formatting and wording conventions. The invitation usually begins with the hosts, followed by the request line, the names of the couple, the date and time, the location, and reception details.

While traditional wedding invitations follow certain formalities, there is room for personalization and creativity. Couples can choose unique materials, add personal touches like custom monograms or hand-lettering, and incorporate colours and themes that reflect their personalities and wedding themes.

Overall, traditional wedding invitations play a crucial role in communicating essential information to guests and setting the tone for the upcoming nuptials.

Formal, third-person language

Wedding invitations are typically written in the third person, and the language used is formal. The text commonly begins with the names of the bride's parents, followed by a request for the honour of the recipient's presence at the wedding of their daughter and her partner. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. John A Smith request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their daughter Jessica Marie to Mr. Michael Francis Miller on the first of November at twelve noon, Christchurch Hall, Richmond, Virginia."

If the groom's parents are also hosting, their names may be included. If the couple is hosting, the invitation may be written in the passive voice:

> "The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim, Saturday the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four, [venue name and address]."

The date and time of the wedding are usually spelled out in full in formal invitations, and the venue's full address is included.

In the United Kingdom, "request... presence" is used for ceremonies held in a house of worship, while "pleasure of your company" is used for those held elsewhere.

In addition to the invitation itself, sellers often promote a full range of optional printed materials, such as RSVP cards, maps, directions, and information on accommodation and childcare options.

Host line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding, and their names are written out in full at the top of the invitation, e.g. "Mr. and Mrs. John A Smith".

However, nowadays, it is becoming more common for both sets of parents to host, or for the couple to host themselves, or for it to be a collaborative affair hosted by both sets of parents and the couple. In these cases, the host line can be reworded accordingly:

• "Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael"
• "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, along with their parents Kenzie M. Smith, Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honour of your presence at their wedding"

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner.

The host line is usually written in the third person and in the formal style.

Attendance request

The "Attendance request" is a crucial element of a wedding invitation, inviting guests to witness and celebrate the union of the couple. Here are some tips and examples to craft a traditional and elegant "Attendance request" for your wedding invitations:

Formal Wording:

Traditionally, wedding invitations are written in a formal and elegant tone. Here are some examples of formal "Attendance request" wordings:

• "Request 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" (the British spelling of "honour" indicates the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship)

Names of the Couple:

The names of the couple should be included in the "Attendance request" and are usually displayed in larger and slightly fancier text. For example:

• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy"
• "Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes request the honour of your presence"

Date and Time:

In traditional wedding invitations, the date and time are usually spelled out in full rather than using numerical figures. For example:

• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon"
• "On the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen at one o'clock in the afternoon"

Venue Information:

The "Attendance request" should include the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city and state. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. Here are some examples:

• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"
• "Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport, California"
• "The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado"

Reception Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply add "reception to follow." If the reception is at a different location, provide the full address and other relevant information. For instance:

• "Reception to follow at [venue name and address]"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at [venue name and address]"

Remember, the "Attendance request" is a crucial part of the wedding invitation, setting the tone and providing essential information for your guests. Feel free to choose the wording and style that best reflect your personality and the theme of your wedding while incorporating the necessary details.

Names of the couple

The names of the couple are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to ensure the names are presented in a traditional manner:

Host Line

The host line is typically the opening line of a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, this line can be omitted. However, if one or both sets of parents are hosting, their names are usually included, followed by the couple's names. Here are some examples:

• "Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael"
• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."

Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. Traditionally, the bride's name is written first, followed by the groom's full name and title. However, for same-sex couples, there is no set rule, and they can choose the order that sounds better or is alphabetical. Here are some examples:

• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes"
• "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily"

Formality

The level of formality of the wedding is also reflected in the way the couple's names are presented. For a formal wedding, the full names, including middle names, are used, and everything is spelled out in full. Numerals are typically avoided. Here is an example:

"The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim"

For a more casual wedding, numerals can be used, and a less formal tone can be adopted:

"Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding"

Modern Variations

While tradition dictates specific formats, modern variations are also gaining popularity. For instance, names can be presented in a more creative way, such as:

• "Good food, good drinks, good friends. Jack Smith & Mason Kim Request you celebrate with them as they get hitched"
• "Love is in the air. Chloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James Denton have the honour of announcing their marriage"

Cultural Variations

It is worth noting that wedding invitation etiquette varies across different countries, cultures, and languages. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the line "request...presence" is used for ceremonies held in a house of worship, while "pleasure of your company" is used for other venues.

In conclusion, while there are traditional guidelines for including the couple's names in wedding invitations, there is also room for creativity and personalization to reflect the couple's unique style and the desired tone of the event.

Date, time and location

When it comes to traditional wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that are typically included. Here are some tips and suggestions for the "date, time, and location" section of your invitations:

Date and Time:

It is considered traditional to spell out the date and time in full, using words rather than numerical figures. For example, "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four". The year is optional, and the use of "a.m." or "p.m." is also optional. However, if you are using numerical figures for the time, be sure to choose a legible font to avoid any confusion.

Location:

For the location, include the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. For example, "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California". If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "and afterward at the reception". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate line.

Additional Tips:

If your wedding has a theme or colour scheme, you may want to incorporate this into your invitations. You can also add a map or directions, especially if your venue is in a remote location or is difficult to find. Finally, don't forget to include an RSVP card or your wedding website details so your guests can let you know if they will be attending.

Sample Wording:

"Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon

[Venue name and address]

Reception to follow"

Frequently asked questions