Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Capitalization Rules For Formal Events

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding capitalization. Proper nouns, such as names of people and places, should always be capitalized. Only the day of the week, month, and first letter of the year should be capitalized, and the 't' in 'two' when spelling out the date. The first word of each sentence or new thought on the invitation should also be capitalized. While the first word in the reception line is commonly capitalized today, it was not traditionally. It is also acceptable to capitalize all words on the invitation or to capitalize certain lines to signify their significance.

Proper nouns, such as names and places, are always capitalized

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's important to remember that only proper nouns, such as names and places, are always capitalized. This includes the names of the couple, their parents or other hosts, and the ceremony and reception venues. Here are some tips and examples to help you ensure proper capitalization on your wedding invitations:

Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those hosting or paying for the wedding, which is often the bride's parents, but can also be the couple themselves or both sets of parents. Here's how capitalization comes into play:

• When listing the bride's parents as hosts, use their first and last names, with titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." capitalized. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith".
• If both parents are hosting and have different last names, you can include both last names: "Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith and Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Jones".
• For divorced parents who are both hosting, list their names separately without using "and". For example, "Mr. James Bennet" and "Mrs. William Darcy".
• When the couple is hosting, you can include their full names or just their first and last names, with proper nouns capitalized. For instance, "Alexandria Jean Smith and Byron William Jones".

Request Line

The request line indicates where the wedding will be held and can be worded in different ways depending on the formality and location of the ceremony:

• "The honour of your presence" is typically used for ceremonies held in a house of worship and is capitalized as shown.
• "The honor of your presence" is the American spelling, also capitalized.
• "The pleasure of your company" is used for secular locations and is capitalized as shown.

Date and Time

When writing out the date and time, there are a few capitalization rules to keep in mind:

• Only the day of the week and the month are capitalized. For example, "Saturday, the second of June".
• The year should not be capitalized, and you should write out "two thousand eighteen" instead of using numerals.
• For the time of day, spell out "o'clock" or use phrases like "half after four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock".

Venue

When listing the ceremony and reception venues, there are a few capitalization points to consider:

• Spell out the city and state in full, with proper nouns capitalized. For example, "Rutherford, California".
• The street address is usually omitted unless the event is at a private home or unlisted address. If included, write out "Street/Avenue/Road" in full.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply state "Reception immediately following" or "and afterward at the reception".

Attire

When indicating the suggested attire for the wedding, only the first word is capitalized. For example, "Black tie" or "Cocktail attire".

Other Considerations

• Avoid capitalizing the entire year or the first letter of the year, as years are not proper nouns.
• In general, sentences or each new thought on the invitation should start with a capital letter.
• Honorifics such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", and "Dr." are always capitalized.

The first word of the first line is capitalized

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's essential to strike the right tone and follow certain formatting rules. While modern invitations are becoming more creative and less formal, traditional invitations adhere to specific guidelines.

One crucial aspect of wedding invitation etiquette is capitalization. As a general rule, only proper nouns are capitalized. This includes names of people and places. However, it is customary to capitalize the first word of the first line, which often indicates the host of the wedding. For instance, if the bride's parents are hosting, their names would be listed formally:

> Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter.

If both the bride's and groom's parents are hosting, their names would be included as well:

> Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith and Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children.

When the couple is hosting the wedding, their full names or first and last names can be used:

> Alexandria Jean Smith and Byron William Jones request the pleasure of your company at their wedding.

It's worth noting that the bride's name is always listed first, and only her first and middle names are used if she shares her parents' last name.

In addition to the first word of the first line, the day of the week and the month are also capitalized. For example:

> Saturday, the second of June, at half past five o'clock in the evening.

While there is flexibility in invitation design and wording, proper capitalization and grammar are essential to maintaining a polished and elegant tone for your wedding invitations.

The first letter of the year is capitalized

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to pay attention to the finer details, such as grammar and punctuation. The rules for what to capitalise vary depending on the style and formality of the invitation, but here is a comprehensive guide to help you:

Capitalising the First Letter of the Year

The first letter of the year is often capitalised in wedding invitations, especially when writing out the full date. For example, "Saturday, the second of June, two thousand eighteen, at half past five o'clock in the evening". This is a matter of style and consistency, so it's essential to format your invitation with care.

Other Capitalisation Rules for Wedding Invitations

• Proper nouns, such as names of people and places, are always capitalised.
• Only the day of the week and the month are capitalised. For example, "Saturday, the second of June".
• The "t" in "two" when writing out numbers should be capitalised. For example, "two thousand eighteen" rather than "two thousand and eighteen".
• The first word of each sentence or new thought on the invitation should be capitalised.
• For attire instructions, only the first word is capitalised, e.g. "Black tie" or "Formal attire".
• Zip codes or postcodes should only be included on the outer envelope and RSVP envelope, and they should not be capitalised.

Additional Tips for Wedding Invitation Wording

• Spell out all words, including the day, date, year, and time. Avoid using numerals unless it's for a casual wedding.
• Afternoon is considered to be from noon to half-past four, and evening weddings start at five o'clock or after.
• Include the street address if the event is at a private home or unlisted address. Otherwise, omit the street address and only include the city and state, spelling them out in full.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can add "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following".
• Be mindful of the tone you want to set; using British spellings like "honour" and "favour" implies a formal event, possibly black-tie.

Remember, these are guidelines, and you can ultimately choose the style that best suits your preferences and the tone you wish to convey.

The day of the week and the month are capitalized; the year is not

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's important to get it right. The invitation sets the tone for the big day and indicates the type of event guests can expect. While rules are flexible, using proper formatting where necessary is commendable.

One of the most important rules to follow when writing wedding invitations is capitalisation. Only proper nouns should be capitalised, along with the day of the week and the month. The year, on the other hand, should not be capitalised. For example, "Saturday, the second of June Two thousand eighteen at half past five o'clock in the evening". Here, "Saturday" and "June" are capitalised, while "two" and "eighteen" are not.

The same rule applies to dates and times. The day of the week usually precedes the date, with only the day and month capitalised. Numbers are not used, and the first letter of the year is typically capitalised. For instance, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September at six o'clock in the evening".

It's worth noting that while traditional invitations follow these rules, modern invitations may capitalise the first word of each line or the first letter of each word, excluding articles and prepositions. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you should do what looks best for your invitation. However, if you want to follow traditional etiquette, only capitalise the day of the week and the month, leaving the year in lower case.

In addition to capitalisation, there are a few other things to keep in mind when writing wedding invitations. All words should be spelled out, even on informal invitations. Abbreviations like "Rd." and "SC" are not typically used. Honourifics like "Mr." and "Mrs." can be abbreviated, though. The time of day should also be spelled out, using phrases like "o'clock" or "half after".

Honor and favour are capitalized for formal or British weddings

When it comes to wedding invitations, grammar and spelling are incredibly important. Honour and favour are often capitalised for formal or British weddings. The use of British spellings, such as "honour" and "favour", indicates a formal event, even if the couple is not British. This is especially true if the wedding ceremony takes place in a house of worship.

The spelling of these two words can be a subtle way to convey the tone of the wedding. Using "honour" and "favour" suggests a formal, black-tie event. It is also a way to indicate that the wedding will be held in a church or place of worship. On the other hand, "honor" and "favor" are more commonly used in casual or informal wedding invitations.

In addition to indicating formality, the use of "honour" and "favour" can also be a stylistic choice. Some couples may prefer the aesthetic of the British spellings, even if their wedding is not particularly formal. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the invitation.

It is worth noting that the use of "honour" and "favour" is not a hard-and-fast rule for formal weddings. Ultimately, the choice of spelling comes down to personal preference and the overall style of the invitation. However, attention to grammar and spelling is crucial, as it reflects the values of the couple and sets the tone for the entire wedding.

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