 6 Ways to Word Your Invitation
With today's complex family structures and tenuous ties to tradition, phrasing invites is no simple task. Here we'll get you started with our can't-miss wordings.
When the Bride's Parents Host
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Stone
(or Mary and Steven Stone)
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Grace
to
Robert Seth Greene
Saturday, 15th October, 2007
at 5pm
First Presbyterian Church
Sydney
Reception afterward at
Tappan Hill
81 Highland Avenue
Sydney
TIP: Groom's folks are the hosts? Adapt accordingly.
TIP: Reception details can go in the lower half of the invitation, or you can enclose separate reception cards. If the reception is in the same place as the ceremony, put "Reception immediately afterward" on the invite.
When Both Sets of Parents Host
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Stone
and
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Greene
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Melissa Grace
and
Robert Seth
Saturday, 15th October, 2007
etc.
TIP: While it used to be standard for the bride's family to host, it's now perfectly acceptable for both families to get in on the action.
When the Couple Hosts
Ms. Melissa Grace Stone
and
Mr. Robert Seth Greene
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
Saturday, 15th October 2007
etc.
TIP: The use of "request the honor of your presence" is used formally and "request the pleasure of your company" is more familiar.
When a Single Parent Hosts
Mr. Steven Michael Stone
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Melissa Grace
to
Robert Seth Greene
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Greene
Saturday, 15th October, 2007
etc.
TIP: If a divorced father hosts the wedding, the invitation should carry his full name.
When Divorced Parent Hosts with Spouse
Jeffrey and Mary Katz
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of Mrs. Katz's daughter
Melissa Grace Stone
to
Robert Seth Greene
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Greene
Saturday, 15th October, 2007
etc.
TIP: If the wedding is hosted by the bride's parent(s), the groom's parents are traditionally left off the invite, but we like adding the "son of" line to acknowledge his parents.
When Divorced Parents Host Jointly
Mr. Steven Stone
and
Mrs. Mary Katz
request the honor of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Grace Stone
to
Robert Seth Greene
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Greene
Saturday, 15th October, 2007
etc.
TIP: Stepparents can be included on the same line as their spouses if that's okay with everyone. But don't put divorced parents on the same line in an invite, because it can make their relationship confusing to guests.
Feel that the examples above don't reflect your personal style, family situation, or wedding theme? You're free to adapt them to suit your situation. Just remember that the primary goal of wedding invitations is to inform guests of the who, what, where, and when of your wedding -- and make sure to keep the vital information organised.
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