How to Word Those Wedding Invitations — Even When Life Throws Curveballs
- Divorced or Deceased Parents
- The Divorced Parents, Remarried
- The Divorced Parents, Not Remarried
- The Deceased Parent
- Who's the Host?
- The Traditional "Host"
- The Inclusive "Hosts"
- The Grooms' Parents as Hosts
- The Couple as Hosts
- A Few More Sticky Widgets
- "Kids not allowed."
- Registry Cards
- Be Thoughtful, But Flexible
- Comments (314)
Old-fashioned etiquette and oh-so-modern dilemmas: these two combined can perplex even the savviest bride when it comes time to word your wedding invitations.
Couples often struggle with the demands of formal language when one or both sets of parents are divorced. Not to worry, though — we'll cover some common situations, including this one. It's easier than it seems at first blush to get the wording right.
Divorced or Deceased Parents
The Divorced Parents, Remarried
Here's how you word it when the bride's divorced parents are co-hosting the wedding:and Mr. Adrian Penn
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter ...
The Divorced Parents, Not Remarried
Here's another example, for parents of the bride who divorced but haven't remarried:and Ms. Holly Voss
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter ...
When the groom's parents are divorced, just use the same approach. For example:
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Selinde Anne Bender
to
Eric Allen Frazier
son of Mr. Travis Frazier
and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Rikowski
The Deceased Parent
Another tough spot some couples encounter is the parent who's deceased. In many cases, you'll simply want to refer to the living parent as as the host. For example:requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter ...
Sometimes, though, the bride or groom wants to include the deceased parent's name on the invitation, and that's perfectly all right. Simply insert "the late" before the name of the deceased parent. The only caveat: avoid making it sound like the deceased parent is hosting. Here's an example:
daughter of Mr. Joshua Abbott and the late Mrs. Abbott
and Christian Amin Salemi
son of Mr. and Mrs. Midi Salemi
request the honor of your presence ...
Every family is different, so feel free to adapt these approaches to your own particular situation. The most important thing about invitation wording, other than it passing the basic "appropriate" test, is that you feel comfortable with it — and no one's feelings get hurt.
Who's the Host?
There's plenty of ways to word your invitations depending on who's hosting — but what exactly does hosting mean?The answer's changed over time. In days gone by, when the bride's parents typically paid for the wedding, the honored hosts were often those who footed the bill. These days, who you deem a host depends more on your personal preference than who's literally burning up their credit cards on your behalf.
The Traditional "Host"
- the couple pays for the wedding themselves, but lists the bride's parents as hosts, because it's traditional.The Inclusive "Hosts"
- the couple pays for the wedding themselves, but lists both sets of parents as hosts, because it's gracious.The Grooms' Parents as Hosts
Occasionally, the couple will list the groom's parents by themselves as hosts, sometimes because the bride's parents are no longer living. In that case, simply word your invitation like so:request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Amanda Jackson
to their son
Jason Michael Becker
The Couple as Hosts
And it's not at all uncommon for the couple to present themselves as hosts of their own wedding, like so:is requested
at the marriage of
Ms. Mikal Farina
and
Mr. Jeffrey Evans
My friend is working on the wording for her wedding invitation and is a tricky situation. The groom’s parents are hosting, but she wants to make mention of her divorced parents out of respect. What is the best way to word this? Thanks for any guidance.
Jaclyn,
* look at number 3
I like this style. Just list the divorced parents name separately, under daughter of Mr. Derrick Lee and Ms. Janice Lee ( use the last name she goes by legally)
We have a bit of an issue. I am designing the invitations for my friend and she is a bit of a feminist. Her parents are hosting but her finance’s parents are helping out as well so they will all be on the invitation. The issue is, my dear bride is a bit of a feminist so she wants her mother’s name to be listed. Is it correct to list them as Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Jill Smith? Is there a better way to do it? I would love your help because we are stumped!
Ana,
The best way to do this is leave off the Mr. and Mrs. and have the invite like this:
Brides parents listed first: Jack and Jill Smith
Grooms parents; John and Jane Doe
request the honor your
presence at the wedding of their
children
Carolyn
and
Jacob etc.
When omitting titles( Mr., Mrs.,) on parents names then all titles should be omitted.
My fiance and I are getting married next year and have no clue how to word our invitations. He doesnt speak to his mom and doesnt want her name in the invitation. My parents are still married. His dad is coming with his girlfriend and we want to include her name in the invitation. How can we do this?
Ellie,
Who is hosting the wedding?
Need some help with wording. My parents are divorced and remarried. Both sets of my parents and my Fiance’s parents are hosting the wedding. How do I word the invitation?
jaime,
You can have it: Together with their parents or you can choose to put each one of their names:
Edward and Julie Favors ( your mom and her husband first)
John and Janet Jones ( your father and his wife second)
Jason and Rebekah Stevens ( his parents third)
request the honor of your presence at the wedding of
brides name
to grooms name etc.
If you have Mr. and Mrs. titles remember to use it on all names except the bride and grooms name. Then you coudl do first and middle name ( for example: wedding of Jaime Nicole to Drake Micheal). Hope this helps.
Jaime,
* other options
My daughter is getting married. I am divorced from her father and I have remarried. I have not been able to contribute to her wedding because I do not have a job and no savings. My husband (her stepfather) paid for some of her college (over 25,000) while her father paid nothing towards her college. My husband says it is her father’s responsibility. I just got the invitation in the mail. My name is not on the wedding invitation, only my ex and his wife and the parents of the groom. I am hurt. What do you think of this?
LizzyB,
I can understand your feelings. I am not sure why you wasn’t mentioned. I would also be hurt. They could have just put the ones paying for the wedding on the invite. Alot of times this is done. But since they mentioned all the others, you could and should have been listed out of honor. Since the invites have gone out there isn’t much that can be done. If it bothers you and you want to know why, I would just ask my daughter. Maybe she will be able to shed some light on the matter. Sometimes invite companies can make errors too. I do hope it turns out to be an error or oversight. I wish you the best.
My husband and I are sending our daughter and her fiance to hawaii to get married and having a reception when they get back. His parents are divorced and we would like to correctly write the invatations so people know that it is only a reception. Also the fiances momis remarried but the dad has a girlfriend.
Tonya,
Who are the hosts? Do you want all the parents and the girlfriend mentioned? I like the ones that don;t mention anyone except the pleasure of your company etc. Also together with their families.
* some great examples
* more examples
* more tips
Hi! Need help. How do I word my wedding invitation if both families are contributing but my fiance’s parents’ are no longer around? Can I start with BRIDES PARENTS and GROOM’S FAMILY OF THE LATE MR & LATE MRS.. please help…Thank you. Actually we are forking out the money but we would like to give the honour of both families to host.
Sharon,
Since you and the groom are paying you should be listed as the hosts and deceased loved ones should not be listed as hosts.
Perfect example is at InvitationConsultants.com
The pleasure of your company ( or the honor of your presence if at a church or formal ceremony)
is requested at the marriage of
Katherine L. Boche
daughter of brides parents
and
Brian M. Stevens
son of the late grooms parents
on Saturday, October 4, 2014
at 11 o’clock in the morning
The Rockaway Dinner Club
Long Beach Road
Jamestown, New York 11677
Cocktails, Dinner and
Dancing immediately
following at the Rockaway Room
If you do not plan to use salutations for the bride and grooms name then dont use them for the parents names either. It makes the invite flow well when kept consistent.
My fiance were planning on eloping to Las Vegas and many family and friends would like to be there. In respose to the many requests, I wanted to send out very simple invitations. We do not plan to have an ‘organized’ reception, but would like to pick a location for everyone to meet up after the wedding. We will not be paying for dinner or drinks, but thought I would at least purchase a cake. If I pick a buffet or steak dinner restaurant location, is it okay to list the location as a ‘no host’ location and how would I word it. I hate to sound tacky, but I guess we’re already getting married in Vegas sooo….
Thanks for any help!
Renea,
* some ideas here
Renea,
* like these tips. Join us for dinner etc…..
If you send out wedding invitations, I would find a way to pay for the meals even if its buffet. If you do a join us for dinner that would make it more celebratory party than reception.
I was wondering if anyone could help me with the wording my wedding invitations.
My father passed away, but he left me money which he told me I was to use towards my wedding. Therefore, we are paying for most of the wedding with money my father left me. Since the wedding is mainly being paid for through funds from my late father, I wanted to include his name in the wedding invitation, but wasn’t sure how.
Since both of our parents are contributing to the wedding, I think it’s proper that we list them as the main hosts. However, you also stated that I shouldn’t include my late father as a host because he’s passed. This was my thinking…
“Ms. mom and late Mr. dad of bride and Mrs. mom and Mr. dad of groom request the honor of your presence.. at the wedding of bride and groom…”
Can you suggest a better idea?
Also, neither my fiance nor I are paying for the wedding, except for the fact that I’m using my dad’s money, so I don’t think it’s proper to make it sound like we are the hosts, ex: Bride, daughter of late dad and mom and Groom, son of dad and mom request the honor…
Please help. Thanks.
Confused,
A late parent shouldnt be listed as a host. But you can have it
Brides name
daughter of mothers name and the late fathers name
and Grooms name
son of……
* example here
Confused, this would be the most proper choice.
Problem with wedding invitation wording. My parents are divorced and my father remarried. My step mother is hosting the wedding and planning it. My mother is not doing any of the hosting but will come to the wedding. How should the invitation be worded.
Abby,
Do you want to include all of the parents names on the invite?
Preferably but I do not want my mother linked with my father and stepmother since they are giving the wedding and I have lived with them solely since grade school. I want my groom’s parents named though.
My groom’s parents are not contributing anything to the wedding nor is my natural mother.
Abby,
I think due to listing all the names and she is coming to the wedding you should add her name somewhere on the invite. Personally, in this case, I would have only the hosting names on the invite. reason being is If you add everyones name but hers it could be very hurtful.
If you want to list everyone without mentioning each name, another way that I would choose is:
Together with our parents we invite you
to share our joy and support our love
as we are exchange vows and are united
in the commitment of marriage
SnowKate’s full name
and
SnowMate’s full name
Saturday, the thirtieth of April
two thousand and five
at five o’clock
Winery Name
Napa, California
Food and festivities to follow
( from Offbeat Bride)
Abby,
* another way of doing this. Scroll to stepmother section, if you add grooms parents ( under his name) add son of Mr. and Mrs. Grooms parents
This is what we came up with:
Jane & Dick Jones
ask the pleasuure of your company at the marriage of their daughter,
also the daughter of birth mom,
etc.
Abby,
For proper measure I wouldnt list “birth mom”.
This would work..
Dick and Jane Jones
request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of the daughter of Dick Jones and ( your mothers name)
Brides name
to
Grooms name etc…..
im having trouble with wording my invitations also. I have both of my parents that are remarried that want to be on the invites, plus my fiances parents’ names. His father is remarried but probably wont help with the wedding, but his mother is single and is helping out.
Jessica,
Who is hosting?
I need some help on wording our wedding invitations….I have divorced parents and my fiance’ and I have two children that we want to include their names on the invitation as well. How would I word the invitations?
Terri,
Who is the hosts? When I get that info, I can get your wording right. Thanks!
I am getting married and the wedding is being hosted by both my parents( married ) and my fiance’s mother, who is not married, but has been with her boyfriend for many years. She would like his name included also, please help with the proper wording. His birth father has never been a part of his life, so he of course will not be involved or mentioned. thanks
kathleen,
I am listing the wording as if they are hosting as a couple. Wasnt sure if he contributed but if they live together etc. Chances are he did.
Edward and Barbra Lemmons ( brides parents)
Jennifer Darling and John Knight (mother and boyfriend)
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of( wording for larger wedding)
OR…
request the pleasure of your company to the marriage of
(this wording is for a casual or lowkey wedding)
brides name
to
grooms name
Saturday, the tenth of December
two thousand and ten
at four o’clock
location
city and state
omit the daughter and son of…. due to the boyfriends name. Guests will be able to recognize the relation. Just keeps it less confusing. I would not use any titles like Mr. or Mrs. To keep it consistent.
Hello – I am having an issue with my wedding invite wording.
My parents have been divorced for more than 20 years. My dad is remarried and my mom is not.
My father and stepmother are paying for the reception, so I had them listed on the invites as “Mr. and Mrs. First Middle Last invite you to share….etc.) My mother saw this and she is wondering why she isn’t included on the wedding invite.
Is it just custom that the person/people paying for the reception are listed by name on the invite?
Background – my parents do not get along, so this is a point of contention.
Is there a way to include my mom on the invite even though she isn’t financially contributing to the ceremony?
Please – any advice you have is greatly appreciated.
Jenny,
The only thing you need to do is
Mr. and Mrs. first middle last
invite you to witness the marriage of
his daughter
brides name
daughter of your mothers name
and
grooms name
son of
his parents name
etc. etc.
we need help wording the invitation for a wedding reception/shower. My daughter is actually getting married in Chile and we are going to have a shower/reception here in her home town. what in the world do we put on the invitation. we don’t want to have two separate events since she lives out of town and it is hard for her to get back and forth. we have several friends that are going to host the event and she will have selections for gifts. please help!
Tammy,
Is there any way the shower could be held during the morning and the reception later on that evening? I know it may be difficult but at the reception the bride shouldnt be opening gifts, which is what happens at a shower. Since your daughter lives out of town, another option is a shower in a box. specifically designed for this type situation.
* here are some tips
What type of post reception will it be? casual or full blown affair?
Tammy,
Oh yes, if it wont be in the way of decorators, just have the shower earlier at the same venue as the reception.
Tammy,
that way no decor will be needed it will serve double duty.
Tammy,
* great tips
Ok, this has been really helpful, but I’m still a little shaky as to wha to actually write. My parents are divorced. My dad and my step-mom are contributing the same amount as my fiance’s parents (who are still married) my mom (who is still single) is contributing a little, but not as much as the others, and I hate the idea of writing her down all alone. My fiance and I are pretty much matching the contibution amount of his parents/my dad and step mom. I never really got along with my step mom, and would like to leave her off, but I think she would be offended, and I don’t want to do that. Do you have any advice?
Tina,
In this case, since you dont want to write your moms name alone or add your stepmothers name. The simplest idea is to write Together with their parents. it saves alot of headache and wont cause any mixed feelings.
* sample wording
Tina,
* Great samples here, Together with their families or parents
My fiance and I have been hit financial and our wedding is in august, we dont have enough money to pay for the food and it is 15 dollars per person, is there any type of way to print on the invitation to let people know they will have to pay for their meal at the restraunt without being too rude. We are hosting the wedding but this was the biggest and most expensive part. PLease help us
Kristi,
It is very poor etiquette to invite guests to a wedding and they pay for their own meal. If there aren’t any cheaper food options then consider heavy appetizers or time the event after the meal and have cake/dessert reception.
Hi there!
I could really use some help with my wording. Both my Mom and his parents (both Mom and Dad) are contributing to the wedding. I would like to honor all of them on the invite. His parents are divorced and he does not want his stepmother on the invite, but I don’t want to offend her.
Also, my Dad is deceased and I am trying to include him on the invitation too. I haven’t figured out a way to do it nicely that doesn’t make it sound like we are paying, and I don’t want to give that misconception.
Also, I don’t think “Together with their families” is an option because my Mom would really like her name on the invitation.
Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated!
Sara
Sara,
You are right to not want to offend and include names on the invite.
Your mothers name will be listed first
Mothers name (unless she is also remarried use Ms. her name)
Grooms mother
Grooms father and wife( Mr. and Mrs. name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
brides name
daughter of the late Mr. fathers name
to
grooms name
date
time
place
Sara,
You can choose to do it this way or put mothers name and grooms mother and…..etc.
you can also choose to leave out ” of their children” and use at the marriage of
brides name
daughter of the late Mr. fathers name
to
grooms name
Thank you!
That was the way I was going to go but my fiance really doesn’t want his father’s wife’s name on the invite.
I was trying to find a way to have his parents names but not hers, but not offend her.
Thanks!
Sara
Hi,
I am having trouble with my wedding invite wording also! I am the bride and at this stage my parents will be paying for the majority of the wedding (with us chipping in for a few bits and pieces too). My fiance’s parents are divorced and his father is remarried, however this happened around 10 years ago so his new wife hasn’t really played a part in my fiance’s upbringing and they live interstate. My fiance’s mother has offered to pay for some things (but has yet to follow through with this) and his father has not offered anything nor played any part in the organizing so far (unlike my parents who have helped us in every way possible!)- how should we word the invites?
So what if my fiance’s mother is hosting the wedding? His father and mother are divorced however his father is also deceased. We will not be mentioning his father in the invite. Any suggestions?
I have looked through scores of websites trying to figure this out with no luck.
Julia,
(use her maiden name if she took it back or whatever name she lawfully goes by today) you can choose to list her name without the Mrs. if it makes her more comfortable. I would ask how she wants to list her name.
Mrs. Grooms mother
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her son
grooms name
to
brides name
daughter of parents names(if you choose to include thier name if not omit this part)
at location
on ( date)
at time
Hello, I have an uncommon situation too. My fiance and I want to list both sets of our parents as we are all helping to make this wedding happen. However, that’s not the problem. I am adopted by my oldest brother and his wife, so they are my primary parents that I am including. In addition to that, I want to list my biological mother who is a widow and I don’t know where to include her. Please help. Thank you.
Beb
Beb,
Who is hosting the wedding? Is your brother and his wife? And are you listing your biological father too? If the brother and his wife are hosting the wedding you could have:
Mr. and Mrs. Brothers name
invite you to the wedding of
bride
daughter of
( your mother’s name)
to groom
son of
( his parents name)
etc.
Let me know who is hosting so I can get you the right wording. Thanks!
Beb,
if he is hosting you would put “invite you to the wedding of his sister”
your name
daughter of
etc.
Even though you are adopted he would still be listed as your brother. If there are more than one hosts then it would be different. Or if you and your future spouse issue them it would be different wording.
Okay, so I’m not sure how to word my invitations. My fiance and I want to put both sets of parents on our wedding invits. his parents are still married, but mine are not. but neither one of my parents are remarried, but I have an estranged relationship with my father and my mother was the one who raised me so my mom wants me to put her name first on the invitation, but I think it would be awkward to put her name first on the invitation but put my fiance’s father’s name first on the invitation (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson) and then have (i.e. Mrs. Sue Jones and Mr. Joe Jones). Anyone have any other better suggestions.
Christina,
Actually her name should be listed first, even if you use (bride daughter of Mrs. Mother’s name and Mr. Fathers name , to groom’s name, son of Mr. and Mrs. grooms parents)I wasn’t sure who was hosting that would make a difference to how it is written.
Together with their families is a wonderful way to word it or if you all are joining in paying. If you could tell me who is hosting, Ihave some great samples I could post them. Cant wait to hear back from you so I can post those examples!
Christina,
* here is the together with their parents. this would be the easiest way to avoid any conflict and it looks great on the invite.
What I did with my invitations to keep it short and sweet so all the parents feel like its talking to them I put Together With Their Parents at the to and then put my name and grooms name below.. It was def short and sweet and they all loved it. bc I also come from a split home and so does he so all the parents that have helped raise us and do whatever to help in our upbringing knew that it was about all of them.
we’re having our daughter’s ceremony, reception and plated dinner. We (parents) only want to host a reception immmediately after the ceremony until the pictures are done and we all move into the dining room. We will supply wine on the table but what’s the proper verbage to inform guests we are only doing the hosted bar for approx. an hour? After an hour or so, it’s their own dime for mixed drinks the remainder of the evening except when sitting down for dinner of course..
Judy,
something like this would work…
Cocktail Hour immediately following ceremony
Dinner served a five o’clock
Dancing six-thirty until midnight
Kenyon Country Club
205 Kenyon Road
( in bottom left hand corner print
No Host Bar Available at Dinner Reception)
Judy,
I would put this info on the reception card and not the invitation itself. Alot of people may not know what the no host bar is another way you could do this( reception card only) is put Cash Bar Available at Dinner Reception.
There will be mixed reactions on this but the key is to never put it on the wedding invitation. At least your guests will be prepared and know ahead of time. If you use no host bar then spread by word of mouth what it is that way it is no surprise.
Im stuck for ideas for the wording of our wedding invitations. We have two daughters together aged 2 years and 6 weeks and see this as a special occasion for the whole family and would love to include them on our invitations somehow
Chloe,
* look at verse 5 and 6 these two are great!
hello I need help with my wedding invites. my father passed awayed and its just my mother. my fiance doesn’t speak to his father, wants to acknowledge his mother but wad raised by his grandparents. my fiance and I are playing for the wedding but would like to keep the tradition and mention our families.
do you have any suggestions?
thank you
Cynthia,
Just to be sure. he doesn’t want his dads name listed at all? Like son of…..
Does he want to list his grandparents and do you want to list your late father? That way I will know for sure who to include in the wording.
that’s correct. he doesn’t want to list his father… only his mother Maria and grandparents.
as for myself I think it would be nice to list my father.
thanks stacey
Cynthia,
You could do this one of 2 ways. You could mention both sets of grandparents too or just his. But it will be a longer wording cause you will need to include all grandparents. Sometimes it is easier to say “Together with thier families”
Michelle Taylor
daughter of Mrs. Sarah Taylor and the late Mr.Taylor
and
John Parker
son of Elizabeth Parker
grandson of (grandparents name who raised him)
request the honour of your
presence at their marriage
Saturday, the first of March
two thousand fourteen
at half past two o’clock in the afternoon
Victorian Gardens
1564 Lane Street
Austin, Texas 35984
I was unsure if the grandparents were hosting? If that is the case then who ever is hosting will be issuing the invite.
Cynthia,
I got the example from a great site…
* here
* here is a similar dilemma and what they did
Cynthia,
Kinda like this….say he is close to both grandparents and you mention yours.
Michelle Taylor
daughter of Mrs. Sarah Taylor and the late Mr.Taylor
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maternal grandparents and Mr. and Mrs. Paternal grandparents)
and
John Parker
son of Elizabeth Parker
grandson of (grandparents name who raised him)
( same here only if he is closet to them all, if not you can keep the one set with or without your grandparents names)
request the honour of your
presence at their marriage
Saturday, the first of March
two thousand fourteen
at half past two o’clock in the afternoon
Victorian Gardens
1564 Lane Street
Austin, Texas 35984
Thank you so much for your help.
I need help wording my wedding invitations , my mother and step father are paying for the entire wedding soup to nuts, however I have my biological father and his wife they will be invited as well all my step sisters and their spouses , My step father has been in my life since I was 2 yrs old. How do I word the Invitation ?My real father and step mother will not be paying for anything AS WELL AS THE Grooms parents are not paying for anything they will be coming though. also what is the proper etiquette for the dance with my father? i want to dance with my step father 1st , then my real father.. should I have 2 different songs or start with my step father then have him step away and have my real father dance? I dont want to hurt feelings but? i dont know what to do? I ‘m thinking to have both my parents( mom and step dad) walk me down the aisle , so as not to hurt real dad, but i really wanted my step dad to do it, what do I do??? help please!
Patricia,
Since they are hosting hte entire wedding it should read as follows:
* Here
* here is for the dances etc.
Patricia,
Here are some great ways of doing this that doesn’t hurt anyones feelings. *Check out these tips
I like the together with their parents which keeps it simple but then the other one shows your mother and stepfather would be hosting but still list who your biological father is.
I am in the same boat as you. My step dad has been in my life since I was 3 and hes been my daddy for basically I consider my whole life, my dad is my dad and he loves me but my step dad has been the one there. What I am doing is having them both walk me down the aisle since our aisle is big enough but neither will be holding my arm because 2 dads on the arms way to much and then at the end have my mother step up and also give me away when asked. What I am doing with the dance is my real dad is going to dance with me first bc he helped bring me into the world, and my step dad go last because hes the one thats finished and made my life complete and ready for the world its something to discuss with your mom and step dad, my step dad understands and actually I feel like he feels more imp going last because like it says 2nd is the best. Whatever you do will be great and don’t worry about offend anyone thats what I was scared of but in the end its your wedding day so your hapiness is what matters to most. Also if your mom and step dad are paying for it all also that says alot right there. Hope this helped!
I don’t understand in this day and age why including registry information with the invitation is still considered in poor taste. It’s a wedding, people want to give gifts and when you’re inviting 400 guests and your attendants all live in different states, who exactly is going to spread the word? Yes, there is a website, but not everyone has a computer. What’s the big deal?
Buttercup,
Because overall giving gifts is optional, if the gift registry info is included on a wedding invitation or insert( which is very improper etiquette regardless of situation) , it can give the hint/suggestion that gifts should accompany wedding guests. Showers are designed around bringing gifts to help the bride begin her new life with her husband” shower the bride with gifts” ( even though gift giving is still optional) making it more proper to include info on shower invites.
help my daughter is getting married and we the brides parents and the couple are hosting the wedding what is the proper way to word invitation it is a outside wedding ceremony and being married by a jugde not minister, pastor.
Sue,
Together with her parents,
Bride Middle Last
daughter of brides parents name
and
Groom Middle Last
son of grooms parents names
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
Day, the date of Month
Two thousand and year
at time
Location Name
City, State
This would be the easiest wording.
Sue,
If you dont like with her parents which I know can sound odd, you can put “our”. It doesnt show who pays for what it just says who supports the union.
* great ideas!!
* another way to word it
I think in this case it would be nice to mention both sets of parents or at least together with their parents. Such a nice honor.
Please help me, Looking for a way to write B.Y.O.B. on my invitations with out having that exact quote, Looking for something more classy and not so blunt.. help
Stefanie,
I am afraid there is not a classy way to provide BYOB on the invites. If it is not int he budget I would eliminate it all together or have a champagne toast then have a signature cocktail during “cocktail hour” only.
* tips
My father and step mother are footing a large portion of the bill. My step mother is more traditional so I feel like I need to include their names near the top as hosts.
My mother and step father haven’t had much involvement in the planning and financial aspect because my mother has a more srious cancer is in treatment. I would like to include them in the invitation for obvious reason. All 4 parents are very important to me but my mom and step dad really didn’t contibute (my mom fighting for her life is contribution enough :).
My fiances parents are married and are paying for the rehersal and honeymoon which is also a large portion of the bill. Finally, my fiance and I are paying for a good portion as well.
Problem is we are very low key and don’t want the invites to be too complicated. Do I put list everyone out of respect to parents or do we keep it more simple and say ‘the parents of…’?
It’s pretty ridiculous how complicated families are these days!
Kristin,
I think the best situation would be Together with our families…….When you have multiple hosts it makes it the simplest option.
* like here
Okay, here’s another good one! Please help! I am divorced, and have two daughters. This is his first marriage, no kids. Both of our parents are divorced and currently only his mother is remarried, though his father has a girlfriend and so does my mother (both for several years now). We were set to pay for everything, but his father has given us a monetary gift to help pay for the wedding. I am also in no way thrilled about using my 1st married name on the invites, is there anyway around that?
Owlyce,
If using your married name makes you feel uneasy then I wouldn’t, even though it states you should use your legal name.
* Here is the wording, just put daughter of ……
and son of….. or together with their parents/a>
* more ideas
*more tips
Owlyce,
*Here is another way to do this
* or this using your first and middle name to his full name
I have a very unique situation. My parents are divorced and My mom has remarried. Me and my fiance are paying for the wedding along with my dad. My mom and step dad are not chipping in.. How would you word the invitation??? Thanks a bunch!!!
oh also his parents are chipping in and are not divorced… sorry forgot to add that
Ashley,
The easiest way to do this without hurting feelings for the parents not mentioned ( cause they are not chipping in) is:
Together with their families
Jane Smith
and
Bradley Johnson
invite you to celebrate
the union of their marriage…
This makes it simple when you have multiple hosts.