Tips On Wording Your Wedding Invitation

Traditionally, the parents of the bride give the wedding and both their names appear on the wedding invitation. However, more often than not these days, more couples are adding both sets of parents names on their invitations. Especially since families have begun to share expenses more equally. There are many more choices that we have to re-write traditions when it comes to the wording of invitations. Most times it can be difficult when the family dynamic has been changed. In this article are some variations that might help you on your journey to finding the perfect sentiment.

Usually when the bride's family is hosting, the invitation will look like this:

Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Carter
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jessica Sarah
to
Mr. Gregory Richardson
Saturday, the sixth of January
Two thousand and seven

St. Mel Catholic Church
Woodland Hills, California

Reception immediately following at The Cheesecake Factory
Please R.S.V.P.

(also acceptable: the reception information and response request can be put on a separate "reception card.")

Different situation variations would be:

When the grooms family is hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Doug Richardson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Jessica Sarah Carter
to their son
Gregory Richardson

When the bride's father is divorced:

Mr. Maxwell Carter
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Jessica Sarah

When the bride's mother is divorced and remarried, and she and her husband are hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jessica Sarah Carter

When both parents are divorced and remarried and are co-hosting the wedding, both names should appear with the mother's name first:

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Carter
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Jessica Sarah Carter

When the bride's mother is widowed:

Mrs. Maxwell Carter
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter

(when the father is widowed, it's appropriate to use the fathers name without his title "Mr." and his daughters name.)

When the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, but are divorced and not remarried, there are two options:

1) Mrs. Eileen Cohen Carter
and
Mr. Maxwell Carter

OR

2) Eileen Cohen Carter
and
Maxwell Carter
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jessica Sarah

When the couple are hosting their own wedding:

The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Jessica Sarah Carter
to
Gregory Richardson
 

Take your time in choosing the perfect wording on your invitation. It may be hard due to the dynamics of your families or situations, but your wedding is an event that you'll remember always. Most people keep one of their invitations along with photos from the wedding, so make sure your invitation is something you can feel proud of, something you'll cherish.