Getting the Words Right: Invitation Wording
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Your invitations are the first statement you make about your ceremony and reception. In addition to the kind of paper and the typeface you use, the language will communicate the wedding’s level of formality.
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The Basics
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Whether they’re traditional or not, all invitations should provide the following information: Who is getting married, what kind of event it is (a marriage ceremony and reception), the date, and the place. The invitation should also indicate the type of dress (casual, formal, or black-tie) and directions if the ceremony and the reception are in two different places or difficult to find. Invitations should be mailed two to four months ahead of the wedding date.
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Wording the Invitation
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There are many ways to word an invitation. Following is a range of examples that address a variety of situations. Note that the following is only a guideline. Word your invitation to reflect the formality of your wedding and your individual style. Ask your printer to see some examples of invitation wording for inspiration.
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Bride’s Family Hosting the Wedding
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Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Parents
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Bride’s Name
to
Groom’s Name
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Both Sets of Parents Hosting the Wedding
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Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Parents
and
Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Parents
request the pleasure of your company at
the marriage of their children
Bride’s Name
and
Groom’s Name
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The Couple Hosts the Wedding
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The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Ms. Bride’s Name
to
Mr. Groom’s Name
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The Couple Hosts the Wedding (Alternate Version)
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Together with our parents
we request your presence
in the celebration of our marriage
Bride’s Name & Groom’s Name
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If Bride’s Mother Has Remarried After Being Divorced or Widowed, and She and Her New Husband Are Hosting the Wedding
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Bride’s Mother and Husband
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Bride’s Name
to
Groom’s Name
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When a Widow or Widower Who Has Not Remarried Hosts the Wedding
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Bride’s Mother (or Father)
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her (or his) daughter
Bride’s Name
to
Groom’s Name
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When Divorced Parents Send a Joint Invitation
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Mrs. (or Ms.) Bride’s Mother’s Name
and
Mr. Bride’s Father’s Name
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Bride’s Name
to
Groom's Name
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Wording Etiquette
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A few things to remember when you’re writing your invitation:
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Use full names (not nicknames)
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Don’t abbreviate - always spell out dates, times, and addresses
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Center each line of text to balance the invitation on the page
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Courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss) are used where appropriate
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Professional titles should be used on invitations and envelopes. For example:
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Priests or ministers should be referred to as "The Reverend John Doe"
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Rabbis should be referred to as "Rabbi John Doe"
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Doctors are "Dr. John Doe"
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Judges are referred to as "The Honorable John Doe"
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Military titles are handled by rank. Enlisted people and non-commissioned officers may include their branch of service underneath their names. Titles for officers precede their names, and the branch of service appears on the line below.
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If you choose, infuse these traditional examples with language that’s more intimate or suited to your family situation or wedding theme. The wording can be presented in the form of a poem or a Broadway playbill. Most importantly, the invitation should reflect the personal sensibility of both you and your partner.
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