Invitation Wording

1. Who’s Hosting the wedding?

Traditionally, whoever is hosting your wedding should be listed first. This can be the bride & groom, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, both, or neither.

2. Request or Ask for attendance

There are many different ways to word the request line. Typically it is worded, “(Bride & Groom) request the honor of your presence at their marriage” Honor can also be spelt in old English – honour. Additional examples are below.

3. Bride's and Groom's Name

The bride is traditionally listed first. If her parents are mentioned, only her first and middle name is required. List the groom’s name. If the his parents are mentioned, only his first and middle name is required.

4. Date & Time

Spell out the month, day, year, and time.

5. Ceremony Venue

List the name and address of your ceremony. Your reception venue and address will go on the small enclosure (also called a reception card).

6. Reception Line

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a reception card is not needed. Simply list “reception to immediately follow" on this line.

Example Invitations

There are many ways to word an invitation depending on the various family circumstances. Here are examples of the most common scenarios.

Bride's Parents Hosting

Since the bride and groom’s last name has been mentioned, you only need to list their first and middle names.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter

Nicole Ann

Joseph John

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

Holy Rosary Church

80 Jerome Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10305

Groom's Parents Hosting

Since the bride and groom’s last name has been mentioned, you only need to list their first and middle names.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their son

Joseph John

Nicole Ann

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

Holy Rosary Church

80 Jerome Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10305

Groom's Parents Hosting (alternate)

Since the groom’s last name has been mentioned, you only need to list his first and middle names.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of

Nicole Ann Doe

TO THEIR SON

Joseph John

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

Holy Rosary Church

80 Jerome Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10305

Both Parents Hosting

Since the bride and groom’s last name has been mentioned, you only need to list their first and middle names.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe together with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith Request the honor of your presence At the marriage of their children

Nicole Ann

Joseph John

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Couple Hosting

You are cordially invited to attend the marriage of

Nicole Ann Doe

Joseph John Smith

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Reception immediately to follow

Couple Hosting w/ Both Parents

Nicole Ann Doe

and

Joseph John Smith

Together with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Doe & Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith Request the honor of your presence As they unite in marriage

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Reception immediately to follow

Couple Hosting w/ Both Parents (alternate)

Nicole Ann Doe

and

Joseph John Smith

Together with their families Cordially invite you to share in a celebration of love

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

One Parent is Deceased

Nicole Ann Doe

and

Joseph John Smith

Together with their parents, Mr. & Mrs. John Doe & Mrs. Jessica Smith and the late Mr. Paul Smith Request the honor of your presence as they unite in marriage

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Reception to immediately follow

One Parent is Deceased (alternate)

Nicole Ann Doe

and

Joseph John Smith

Together with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Doe & Mrs. Jessica Smith Request the honor of your presence As they unite in marriage

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Reception immediately to follow

On this joyous occasion we remember the groom's father, the late Mr. Paul Smith

Ceremony and reception at different locations

Usually if your ceremony and reception are at different locations, you use a reception card to provide guests with the information. If you choose not to add a reception card you can word your invitation as follows:

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of

Nicole Ann Doe

TO THEIR SON

Joseph John

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

Holy Rosary Church

80 Jerome Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10305

Reception to follow at siz o'clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Brides Parents Divorced, Stepparents Not Mentioned

Mrs. (or Ms.) Denise [Current Last Name] and Mr. John Doe cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter

Nicole Ann Doe

John Joseph

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Smith

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

*Each family situation is unique and it is up to your discretion to decide if it is appropriate to either list or omit stepparents. We recommend discussing the issue with your family to see what will work best for all parties

Bride's Parents Divorced, Both Remaried, Both Stepparents Mentioned

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Smith along with Mr. & Mrs. John Doe cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter

Stephanie Ann

Paul Joseph Doe

Saturday, September nineteenth

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Bride's Mother Remarried, Father Not Remarried, Stepparents Mentioned

Mr. & Mrs. Debra [New Last Name] along with Mr. & Mrs. John Smith cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter

Isabella Ann

Joseph John Smith

Saturday, September nineteenth

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

Holy Rosary Church

80 Jerome Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10305

Bride's Father Remarried, Mother Not Remarried, Stepparents Mentioned

Mr. & Mrs. Debra [New Last Name] along with Mr. & Mrs. John Smith cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter

Nicole Anne

Joseph John

Friday, the third of October

two thousand and eighteen

at half past four o’clock

The Venetian

546 River Drive

Garfield, New Jersey 07026

Additional Information

Black Tie

This is considered to be one of the highest levels of formal attire. According to the wedding planning blog The Knot, Men should wear a tuxedo with a black bow tie, cummerbund, and a nice pair of leather dress shoes. Women should wear a long evening gown or cocktail dress in a dark, neutral color like brown or black.

Black Tie Optional

This is interchangeable with “formal attire,” according to The Knot, but is still slightly less formal than “black tie.” For men, this means that a tuxedo isn’t required, but a dark suit and tie is considered appropriate for the occasion. For women, a dress or pantsuit in a dark, neutral tone is acceptable. Even a cocktail-length dress can be perfectly fine as long as isn’t too colorful or flashy.

Adult Affair

Deciding whether to invite children to your wedding is one of the most difficult guest list questions! No one wants to get their family and friends offside, but if there is no room for little ones, it’s best to make that clear. Adding “Adult Affair” on the invitation is a simple way to let guests know their children are not invited.

Quotes

"Because you have shared in our lives by your friendship and love, we [Bride’s name & Groom’s name] invite you to share the beginning of your new life together when we are joined in holy matrimony"

"On this day I will marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for dream with and love"

"Two lives, two hearts, joined together in friendship united forever in love"

"My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never."

"I have found the one whom my soul loves. - Song of Solomon 3:4"

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