Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wedding Invitation Wording and Etiquette



I receive a ton of questions on the best way to word wedding invitations.  Everyone’s family situation is different and it can be difficult to find the correct wording for your specific situation.  I will include a couple common ways to word your invitations and then some more unique situations that require more thought.

When wording wedding invitations it is always important to include the details of your wedding.  This includes the couple’s names, the location, and the time.  Additional information such as the registry, reception details, directions, and RSVP instructions are usually included as inserts with the invitation itself.  You can always make your invitation more unique by using specialized font for wedding invitations.







• For a more religious wedding invitation (recognizing the bride’s family)

 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul
 request the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of their daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson

 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon
 St. Peter’s Church

 6161 Chambersburg Road
 Huber Heights, Ohio
 Reception to follow
 


• For an informal wedding invitation (recognizing the bride’s family)

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul
 invite you to share in the celebration
 of the marriage of their daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson

 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon

 Cox Arboretum
 Dayton, Ohio
 Reception to follow


• For a more religious wedding invitation (recognizing both families)

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul
 request the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of their daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson

 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Johnson
 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon

 St. Peter’s Church
 6161 Chambersburg Road
 Huber Heights, Ohio
 Reception to follow


• For an informal wedding invitation (recognizing both families)

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul
 invite you to share in the celebration
 of the marriage of their daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson

 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Johnson
 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon

 Cox Arboretum
 Dayton, Ohio
 Reception to follow


• Optional way to include both families in a wedding invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul &
 Mr. and Mrs. Alex Johnson
 request the pleasure of your company
 at the marriage of their children

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew

 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon

 Cox Arboretum
 Dayton, Ohio
 Reception to follow


• No parents included in a wedding invitation

You are invited to the celebration
 of the beginning of our new life together

 Jacqueline Ann Hucul
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson

 Saturday, the twenty-sixth of March
 Two thousand and eleven
 At half past two in the afternoon

 Cox Arboretum
 Dayton, Ohio
 Reception to follow







These are some of the most common ways to word an invitation.  I will give some examples of the more uncommon ways to word an invitation below.  I will leave out the date and location as these do not change based on family situations.  Some of these examples will only show the bride’s family, but you can take the idea and use the full examples above to get the perfect wording for your wedding invitations.

• Divorced Parents – Religious wedding invitation

Ms. Carol Gudneau and Mr. Michael Hucul
 request the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of their daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson
 

• Divorced Parents – Informal wedding invitation (one parent used)

Mr. [Mrs.]  Michael Hucul
 requests the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of his daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson


• Divorced and remarried parents – Formal wedding invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hucul
 request the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of his [her] daughter

 Jacqueline Ann Hucul
 daughter of Mr. [Mrs.] John Griggs
 to Michael Andrew Johnson


• Divorced and remarried parents – Informal wedding invitation

Mike and Beth Hucul
 invite you to the wedding of his daughter

 Jacqueline Ann Hucul
 daughter of Carol Gudneau
 to Michael Andrew Johnson


• Deceased parent in wedding invitation

Mrs. Carol Hucul and the late Michael Hucul
 requests the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of her daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson


• Deceased parent on one side and recognizing both families

Mrs. Carol Hucul and the late Michael Hucul
 along with Mrs. and Mr. Alex Johnson
 request the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of their children

 Jacqueline Ann
 to
 Michael Andrew Johnson


• Deceased and remarried parent in wedding invitation

Mrs. and Mr. John Griggs
 requests the honor of your presence
 at the marriage of her daughter

 Jacqueline Ann
 daughter of the late Michael Hucul
 to Michael Andrew Johnson


I hope this has helped in wording your wedding invitation for your special day.  Please let me know if there is any other wording etiquette you would like to see posted!