George Boyle
Wedding invitations are often a tricky task, especially when it comes to including the names of deceased parents. While some people believe that the invitation is not the appropriate place to mention deceased parents, others argue that it is a nice way to honour their memory. The traditional format of wedding invitations includes the names of the parents, creating the impression that they are the hosts. However, in cases where one or both parents have passed away, it can be challenging to decide how to word the invitation. Some suggestions include listing the surviving parent's name, using phrases like child of [Parent's Name] and the late [Parent's Name], or listing other surviving family members such as grandparents, aunt, uncle, or guardian. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple, and they can choose to include the names of deceased parents if they wish to honour their memory on their special day.
What You'll Learn
How to include a deceased parent on a wedding invitation
Including deceased parents on wedding invitations is a thoughtful way to honour their memory on your special day. Here are some ways to tastefully include them:
Wording and Formatting
The traditional format for wedding invitations is to list the parents' names, followed by the engaged person's name, and then the details of the wedding. When including a deceased parent, you can use the phrase "the late" before their name to indicate they are no longer living. Here's an example:
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> child of [Surviving Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]
>
> [Engaged Person's Name]
>
> child of [Surviving Parent's Name] and [Deceased Parent's Name]
>
> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
This format can be adjusted if both parents are deceased or if there is a step-parent involved. In the case of both parents being deceased, you would use "the late" before both of their names. If you have a step-parent, you can include them by listing the engaged person as their "child" as well.
Host of the Invitation
It is important to consider who is hosting the wedding, as this will impact the wording. If the deceased parent died a long time ago or the surviving parent has remarried, you may choose not to list the deceased parent on the invitation at all. Instead, you can honour them in other ways during the ceremony or reception.
Honouring Deceased Parents
Even if you decide not to include your deceased parent on the invitation, there are many other ways to honour their memory during your wedding. Here are some ideas:
- Memorial candle: Include a candle lighting ceremony to allow guests to remember your loved one.
- Reserved seat: Reserve a seat at the ceremony and reception to symbolically include your deceased parent.
- Wedding program: Include a special note "in loving memory" of your parent in the program.
- Toast or memorial poem: Raise a toast or read a poem dedicated to your parent during the reception.
- Flowers: Hold a bouquet that reminds you of your deceased parent.
Remember, the most important thing is to follow your heart and do what feels right for you. Your guests will appreciate the tribute, and your parent's memory will be honoured.
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Wording for when the bride's parent has passed away
There are many ways to word a wedding invitation when a bride's parent has passed away. Here are some examples:
Formal Wording
This example is formal and perfect for a traditional wedding. For a same-sex wedding with two brides, simply swap "daughter" for "son".
> Mrs. Sharon Henderson
>
> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their daughter
>
> Preston John Brackman
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two-thousand and twenty-six
>
> at six o'clock in the evening
>
> Dripping Springs, Texas
Informal Wording
If you prefer a less formal tone, here is an example that still allows the bride's parents to invite:
> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma
>
> the families and friends of
>
> at the celebration of their marriage
>
> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024 at 6:00pm
>
> Bluxome Street Winery
>
> San Francisco, California
Collaborative Hosting
If the wedding is a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, you can use wording such as:
> Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company...
Deceased Parent Only
If you are not including the surviving parent on the invitation, you can use the following format:
> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen at one o'clock in the afternoon. The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California. Dinner and dancing to follow. Black tie required.
Honouring the Deceased Parent
Including the name of a deceased parent on the wedding invitation is a special way to honour their memory. However, it can be tricky to word the invitation appropriately. Remember that the most important rule is to create a beautiful invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come. Here are some additional tips:
- If the bride's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, list them separately, keeping each parent on their own line.
- If you are including a step-parent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.
- The bride's parents' first and last names are usually mentioned, while the bride's first and middle name and the groom's full name and title are included.
- For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of "woman first, man second" does not apply. Alphabetical order or what sounds better can be used instead.
- For formal weddings, write out dates and times in full (e.g., "six o'clock in the evening"). For casual weddings, numerals are fine.
- The street address of the venue is not usually needed unless omitting it would cause confusion. Always write out the city and state in full.
- If the reception is at the same location, you can print "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following." If the reception is elsewhere, list the location on a separate line.
- Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately after the ceremony.
- The dress code can be included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If no dress code is specified, the invitation's style will indicate the expected attire.
Ultimately, go with your heart when considering how to honour a deceased parent on your wedding invitation. Your guests will appreciate the tribute, and your parent's memory will be honoured.
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Wording for when the groom's parent has passed away
When it comes to wedding invitations, you may want to find a special way to honour a deceased parent, such as including their name on the invitation. However, the wording can be tricky, and it's a very personal decision. Here are some suggestions for how to word invitations when the groom's parent has passed away:
Formal Wording
If you're having a formal wedding, you could use the following wording:
> Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] [Groom's Father's Name]
> request the honour of your presence
> at the marriage of their children
> [Bride's Name]
> and
> [Groom's Name], son of Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] and the late Mr. [Groom's Father's Name]
> on [date]
> at [time]
> [location]
Informal Wording
If you prefer a less formal approach, you could use the following example:
> [Groom's Mother's Name] and the late [Groom's Father's Name]
> invite you to celebrate with their son [Groom's Name]
> and
> [Bride's Name]
> on their wedding day
> [date]
> at [time]
> [location]
Alternative Wording
Another option is to use a more general phrase, such as:
> Together with their families
> [Bride's Name]
> and
> [Groom's Name], son of Mrs. [Groom's Mother's Name] and the late Mr. [Groom's Father's Name]
> invite you to share in their joy
> as they exchange wedding vows
> on [date]
> at [time]
> [location]
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, you should go with your heart and choose the wording that feels right for you. Your guests will surely appreciate the tribute to your parent's memory.
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Wording for when a single parent, widow or widower is hosting
If you've lost a parent and would like to honour them on your wedding invitation, there are a few ways to do so. Here are some examples of how to word your invitation if a single parent, widow, or widower is hosting:
Formal Wording
If you're going for a formal feel, you may want to use full names and spell out the date and time. Here's an example:
> Mrs. Sharon Henderson
>
> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson
>
> request the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of their daughter
>
> Preston John Brackman
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at six o'clock in the evening
>
> Dripping Springs, Texas
Informal Wording
For a less formal invitation, you can use first names and numerical dates. Here's an example:
> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma
>
> along with their families and friends
>
> invite you to the celebration of their marriage
>
> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm
>
> Bluxome Street Winery
>
> San Francisco, California
Single Parent Hosting
If you're a single parent or widow/widower hosting the wedding, you can simply use your name on the invitation:
> Mrs. Angela Eldridge
>
> requests the honour of your presence
>
> at the marriage of her daughter
>
> Trevor Patrick Everett
>
> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July
>
> Two thousand and twenty-six
>
> at six o'clock in the evening
>
> 1982 North Bay Avenue
>
> Knox Bay, Rhode Island
Honouring a Deceased Parent
If you want to include a deceased parent on your invitation, you can rearrange the wording slightly, as someone who has passed cannot serve as a host. Here's an example:
> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen at one o'clock in the afternoon at The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California. Dinner and dancing to follow. Black tie required.
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Honouring a deceased parent at a wedding
The loss of a parent is one of the hardest things to experience, and it's normal to feel their absence deeply as your wedding approaches. It can be challenging to navigate the wedding planning process without a parent, and you may want to find special ways to keep their memory alive on your wedding day.
Wedding Invitations
If you've lost a parent, you may want to include their name on your wedding invitation. Here is some wording that can help honour them:
- "Mrs Sharon Henderson and the late Mr Nathan Henderson request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Preston John Brackman."
- "Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma, along with their families and friends, invite you to the celebration of their marriage."
Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony is an excellent opportunity to honour a deceased parent. Here are some ideas:
- Leave a chair open in the front row to symbolise their presence and decorate it with their photo, a bouquet of flowers, or ribbons and a custom sign.
- Incorporate their favourite flowers into the ceremony decor, such as the aisle markers, boutonnieres, or bouquets.
- Light a memorial candle to represent your loved one.
- Write a message in their honour in the wedding programme.
- Carry a memento of them with you, such as their cufflinks or a handkerchief.
- Ask the officiant to say a few words or read a quote or passage in their memory.
- Reserve a seat at the ceremony and decorate it with their photo or a special sign.
Wedding Reception
The wedding reception is usually less formal and a great time to incorporate more personal touches. Here are some ways to honour a deceased parent:
- Play their favourite song during the reception.
- Create a commemorative presentation with slideshows or videos of your loved one, including photos and special memories.
- Serve their favourite food or drinks, or offer wedding favours inspired by them.
- Give a toast or raise a glass in their honour.
- Set up a memory table with framed photos, sentimental objects, and keepsakes.
- Display a special piece of art or a collection of photos in their honour.
Other Ways to Honour a Deceased Parent
There are also other ways to honour a deceased parent outside of the wedding day itself:
- Visit their grave before or after the wedding and share your joy with them.
- Wear their favourite scent on your wedding day.
- Incorporate their favourite flowers into your bouquet or boutonniere.
- Add a keepsake charm to your bouquet with their photo or a symbol that reminds you of them.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to honour a deceased parent at your wedding. Do what feels right and appropriate for you, and don't be afraid to make it personal.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally considered appropriate to list deceased parents on your wedding invitation, especially if you want to honour their memory on your special day. However, some people believe that the wedding invitation is not the right place to do so.
If one parent has passed away, you can list the surviving parent's name followed by "and the late [name of deceased parent]".
In this case, you would follow a similar format as above. List both parents as "late" to honour them.
You can still honour your deceased parent by listing your step-parent and their name. For example: " [Your name], child of [step-parent's name] and the late [deceased parent's name]".
There are many ways to honour a deceased parent during your wedding celebration. Some ideas include lighting a memorial candle, reserving a seat for them at the ceremony and reception, including a note "in loving memory" in your wedding program, giving a toast, or reading a memorial poem.
