Samples of Formal Invitation Wording:
Bride’s parents, who are divorced and remarried, host the wedding together:
Mr. and Mrs. Ronan Videla and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Andreason request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kelly Grace Andreason and Mr. Garrett John Hanna Saturday, the twenty-second of March two thousand seventeen at six o’clock Temple Sinai Granville, Ohio
Bride’s mother and stepfather host:
Mr. and Mrs. Ronan Videla request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Kelly Grace Andreason to Mr. Garrett John Hanna Friday, the seventeenth of May two thousand sixteen at seven o’clock Viansa Winery 25200 Arnold Drive Sonoma, California
Bride’s only living parent hosts:
Mr. [or Mrs.] Michael Thomas Fitzloff requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of his [or her] daughter Shannon Michelle to Lieutenant Roger Stephen Manning, U.S. Navy Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand sixteen at two o’clock New Haven Community Church New Haven, Georgia
Groom’s parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. George Dempsey request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Miss [or Ms.] Beth Ann Boomgarten to their son Mr. Alexander Graham Dempsey Friday, the fourteenth of November two thousand nineteen at six o’clock St. Thomas Cathedral Spokane, Washington
Both bride and groom’s parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilfork and Captain and Mrs. William James Plett request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Matilda Renee Wilfork and Timothy James Plett Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand seventeen at four o’clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan
Bride’s parents host, but include groom’s parents’ names:
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Jeremiah Crenshaw request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Hillary Jo and Mr. Anthony Patrick Ames son of Captain and Mrs. Patrick George Ames Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand seventeen at four o’clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan
Bride and groom host:
Miss [or Ms.] Elizabeth Marie Carrington and Mr. Richard James Handlin request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o’clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia
The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Miss [or Ms]. Elizabeth Marie Carrington to Mr. Richard James Handlin Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o’clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia
The families host together:
Together with their families Miss Macey Leigh Kirkland and Mr. Will Ronald Germundson request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o’clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia
Bride’s other family members host:
Mr. Eric Henry Evans requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his sister Lisa Marie to Mr. Ian John Wyskowski Saturday, the fourth of June two thousand seventeen at one o’clock The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Missouri
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elliott request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their niece Miss [or Ms.] Samantha Jane Richards to Mr. Scott Randolph Markham Saturday, the fourth of June two thousand seventeen at one o’clock The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Missouri
Tips
Bride’s mother and stepfather host:
Bride’s only living parent hosts:
Groom’s parents host:
Both bride and groom’s parents host:
Bride’s parents host, but include groom’s parents’ names:
Bride and groom host:
The families host together:
Bride’s other family members host:
Tips
- Jewish wedding invitation wording differs only in that “and” is used instead of “to” between the bride and groom’s names.
- Invitations may include “and your participation in the offering of a Nuptial Mass” beneath the groom’s name, when a Roman Catholic mass is being celebrated as part of the ceremony.
- Allow plenty of time to carefully address, assemble, and mail your invitations.
- Organize your master guest list in a functional form (file cards, computer database, work sheet.)
- Using your finalized guest list, stay organized by developing a system for addressing and mailing your invitations.
- Create an assembly line of sorts by arranging each piece that goes into an invitation in the order they will be picked up, assembled, and inserted into the envelope.
- If needed, enlist the help of family, bridal attendants, or friends to help with the assembly.
- Include enclosures such as map cards and accommodation cards for out-of-town guests.
- Never include registry or gift information with (or on) your invitation. If someone asks, you, your family, bridal attendants, and friends can let them know by word of mouth.
- Attire or dress code should not be mentioned on the wedding invitation. You may include “Black tie” in the lower right on a reception invitation, if necessary.
