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Etiquette
- How to Word Your Wedding Invitation
- How to Word Your Evening Wedding Invitation
- 3 Ways to Word a Reply Card
- 5 Ways to Word a Save the Date Card
- When to Order and Send Your Wedding Invitations
- Wording the Wedding Invitations-Sticky Situations
- Your Complete Wedding Stationery Checklist
- Q&A: Thank You Cards and Gift Registry Etiquette
How to Word Your Wedding Invitation
Today’s complex family structures and new models of marriage make choosing wording for a wedding invitation (or reply card or save the date card) far more complex than it once was. Gone are the days when the bride's parents hosted the wedding and therefore issued the invitation. Instead, today’s invitations are issued by a variety of parties: from the couple themselves to one or more of the parents (who may be divorced, remarried, widowed, etc.).
Gone, too, are the days when there was only one accepted way to word a wedding invitation. Today’s invitations today range from formal to sassy to emotive, and that is all perfectly fine.
So go ahead, take some creative license! Just make sure that guests have all the pertinent information, including:
- Who: Couple's names
- What: The wedding
- When: Date and time
- Where: Ceremony location and reception location, if different from the wedding ceremony
We also recommend including a map or directions card, as well as a list of any weekend events, if applicable. These save the guests from befuddlement or (perish the thought!) tardiness, and allow them (and you) to relax and enjoy the celebration!
30 WAYS TO WORD YOUR WEDDING INVITATION
- 1. Bride's Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Anne
to
Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 2. Bride's Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Anne
to
Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PN- 3. Bride's Parents Host—Informal
Thomas and Anne Hudson
invite you to the wedding of their daughter
Jennifer Anne
Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PN- 4. Both Sets of Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson &
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Thomas Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Jennifer Anne
and
William James
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 5. Both Sets of Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson &
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Thomas Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Jennifer
and
William
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 6. Both Set of Parents Host—European style (landscape format)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher FitzgeraldThe pleasure of your company is requested
at the marriage ofJennifer Anne to William James
at the Church of Sant’Andrea, Badalucca, Liguria.
on Saturday 20th March 2008.
at 4 o’clock.
and afterwards for a reception.
at Casa BellaR.S.V.P.
Casa Bella.
Badalucca, Liguria.
ItalyBlack tie
- 7. Both Sets of Parents Host—Casual
Thomas and Anne Hudson &
Christopher and Marie Fitzgerald
invite you to the wedding of their children
Jennifer Anne
and William James
Saturday, 17 May, 2008
at 4:30 p.m.
Chatham House
Chatham, Kent
Dinner reception to follow- 8. Groom's Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Miss Jennifer Anne Hudson
to their son
William James
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 9. Groom's Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Miss Jennifer Kelly Hudson
to their son
Eric Lucas Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 10. Couple Hosts—Formal (Religious venue)
The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
Ms. Jennifer Anne Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 11. Couple Hosts—Formal (Secular venue)
Ms. Jennifer Anne Hudson
and Mr. William Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 12. Couple Hosts—Casual
Jennifer Anne Hudson
and William Fitzgerald
invite you to their marriage
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PN- 13. Couple Hosts—Casual
Please join us
to share our joy
as we exchange vows
and are united in marriageBlake Hudson
and William Fitzgeraldat Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PN- 14. Everyone Hosts—Formal (Religious venue)
Miss Jennifer Anne Hudson
and
Mr. William Fitzgerald
together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson &
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Thomas Fitzgerald
request the pleasure of your company
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 15. Everyone Hosts—Casual
Together with their parents,
Jennifer Kelly Hudson &
Eric Lucas Fitzgerald
invite you to share in the joy
of their wedding day
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clockDinner and dancing to follow
R.S.V.P.
0771 93 1101
william@hellolucky.co.uk- 16. Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Religious venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his [her] daughter
Jennifer Anne Hudson
daughter of Mr. [Mrs.] John Fontaine
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 17. Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Secular venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his [her] daughter
Jennifer Anne Hudson
daughter of Mr. [Mrs.] John Fontaine
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P. Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 18. Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Casual
Charles and Linda Hudson
invite you to the wedding of his daughter
Jennifer Anne Hudson
daughter of Anne Fontaine
to Williams James Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clockDinner and dancing to follow
- 19. Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Formal (Religious venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
Mrs. Charles Fontaine
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Anne Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 20. Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Formal (Secular venue)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson
Mrs. Charles Fontaine
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Anne Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 21. Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Casual
Charles and Linda Miller
and Anne Fontaine
invite you to the wedding of
Jennifer Anne Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
0771 93 1101
william@hellolucky.co.uk- 22. Widowed, Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Religious venue)
Note: When the bride or groom's mother or father is deceased, the invitation is issued only in the name of the living parents. The deceased parent is recognised in the wedding program or at the reception. If the couple very much wants to include the deceased parent in the invitation, it can be worded as follows; it is critical that the invitation not appear to be issued by the deceased parent.
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harrison
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Jennifer Anne
daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Saint Mary’s Church
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a reception
at Sutton HouseR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 23. Widowed, Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Secular venue)
Note: When the bride or groom's mother or father is deceased, the invitation is issued only in the name of the living parents. The deceased parent is recognised in the wedding program or at the reception. If the couple very much wants to include the deceased parent in the invitation, it can be worded as follows; it is critical that the invitation not appear to be issued by the deceased parent.
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harrison
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Jennifer Kelly
daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hudson
to Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clock
and afterwards for a receptionR.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
- 24. Other Hosts
The same wording based on the following would apply no matter who the host, e.g. brother, grandparent, uncle, etc.:
Mr. James Woodhouse
requests the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his sister [granddaughter, niece]
Jennifer Anne
to
Mr. William Fitzgerald
at Sutton House
Bridgwater, Somerset
on Saturday 20th March 2008
at 4 o’clockDinner and dancing to follow
R.S.V.P.
Sutton House
Wembdon Rise
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 7PNCarriages at 1 o’clock
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The right wording for your wedding invitations
When choosing your wedding invitation wording, it is important to bear several things in mind. First things first -your wedding invitation wording should communicate the required details of your wedding reception such as the time , place and reason yet do so with suitable elegance and style. Then it is important that your wedding invitation wording help set the tone of the wedding celebration. Important information must be conveyed in the invitation. Do take care when reviewing our wedding invitation wording samples. With the appropriate wedding invitation wording to guide you, you should be able to formulate the correct text that highlights the important points while still reflecting the level of tradition or informality needed. Please feel free to consult our wedding invitation wording examples to assist you in this task.
Choosing wedding invitation wording
Selecting the appropriate wedding invitation wording can be an easy process, especially if you understand what information it is vital to include. There are basic rules to follow when it comes to wedding invitation wording.
To start with, the wedding invitation wording should include the names of those hosting the wedding reception. The host line in traditional wedding invitation wording will most likely be the parents of the bride or, alternatively if less traditional, both sets of parents or just the couple themselves.
In your wedding invitation wording, you should also bear in mind the use of the professional title of the hosts. If the bride’s father is a commander or her mother a doctor be sure to refer to them as such. It may be worth checking a good source book such as Debrett’s for the correct abbreviation of titles. (It’s always useful to have one set by in any case)
Abbreviations should not, however, be used when writing the address.
When you have finished your wedding invitation wording, make sure that addresses are spelled out. It is suggested you double check your wording against our wedding invitation wording samples to reduce the risk of errors. Our proof readers will naturally do this too but the more eyes the better!
The full address of where the ceremony is taking place will be located is another vital piece of information to include in your wedding invitation wording. Usually, you will include the reception location in your wedding invitation wording unless you are sending a separate evening invitation with your wedding invitation.
Whatever you do – don’t forget the time of the ceremony!
A sample of wedding invitation wording
We know all too well that wording can be a difficult part of the process of ordering wedding invitations so we are happy to help by providing templates of wedding invitation wording. Please look at our wording and etiquette section on our website for additional templates and advice. One sample of wedding invitation wording is shown below. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of how to structure your own of wedding invitation wording. Should you have any questions regarding your wedding invitation wording then please do not hesitate to contact us.
If the bride’s parents are hosting the wedding the following wedding invitation wording would apply:
Mr. and Mrs. (Bride’s Parents’ Names) request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter (Bride’s Name) to (Groom’s Name – including title) at St Mary’s Church, Bridgwater, Somerset. on Saturday, 18th August 2010 at 2.00 o’clock followed by a reception at (Reception details, including location and address).
An RSVP address and other pertinent details such as finishing time (carriages) or preferred dress code can also sit in the main body of the wedding invitation wording.
The wedding invitation wording will vary only slightly depending on who is hosting. If both sets of parents are hosting, all you would need to do is add the second set of parents’ names before the names of the bride and groom and amend to “…at the wedding of their children” Again, for full templates please see our samples of wedding invitation wording which is in the FAQ section.
When you write your own wedding invitation wording, remember that text only needs to be slightly altered for other cases as well, such as when both the couple and parents are hosting, or parents are divorced.
The final choice wedding invitation wording is not solely responsible for the effectiveness of the invitation. Wedding invitation wording is only partly responsible for the ultimate success of your invitations. In addition to the wedding invitation wording, the overall design is naturally of vital importance. When the invitation is slid out of the envelope it will not be the wedding invitation wording that is first noticed but the overall impact of the invitation. It is worth bearing in mind both the wedding invitation wording and the design of the invitation thinking how the amount of wording you want will work with a specific design. This is, of course , something that should you have any questions you can contact us to discuss.
With suitable wedding invitation wording and our gorgeous letterpressed printed our stationery, you are sure to receive gorgeous and elegant stationery. Carefully composed wedding invitation wording and a thoughtfully selected design will set the tone for a wonderful wedding
All elements of your invitation can be customised to your specifications – not just the wedding invitation wording but also the colour, design and lettering style. We can also create a bespoke design from scratch should you want a truly unique invitation.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions at all regarding your wedding invitation wording or your invitations in general.
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Photographs courtesy of Sara Remington
Photographs courtesy of Sara Remington