A wedding invitation tells guests what to expect.
Choosing the right wording for your wedding invitations is critical--it informs your guests of the formality of your wedding, gives them all of the basic information they need, and may even avoid hurt feelings or awkward situations. Ultimately, the wording you choose should reveal what guests can expect at your wedding.
From the Couple
Use less formal wording for informal weddings so your guests know they don't have to dress in cocktail or black tie apparel. You could begin the invitations with a quote, phrase or Scripture passage that suits you and your fiance. For example:
"This day
I will marry my friend,
the one I laugh with, live for,
dream with, love."
Follow the sentiment with the extension of the invite:
"Please join us"
or
"Please be our guest"
or
"We invite you to join
the celebration
as we are married"
Another way, particularly for more formal weddings would be:
"Samantha Johnson
and
Bradley Patrick
request the honour of your presence ..."
Follow each of those examples with pertinent information including the bride's name, groom's name, date, time and location of the wedding.
From the Bride's Parents
Formal weddings following the traditional customs of the bride's parents hosting the wedding could utilize the following wording:
"Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Davis
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Linda Elle
and
Anthony Robert Jenkins ..."
or
"Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Davis
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their daughter ..."
These invitations can also begin with a short poem or sentimental statement or phrase. The groom's parents names can be mentioned, if desired, by adding the line:
"Anthony Robert Jenkins
son of
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Henry Jenkins ..."
For divorced parents, list the bride's mother first, followed by her father's name on the next line if they are both hosting. If one or both of them has remarried, it could read as follows:
"Mr. and Mrs. William Cook
and
Mr. Jonathan Davis
request the honor of your presence ..."
Bride's and Groom's Parents Hosting
Following the same principal as above, simply add the groom's parents' names:
"Mr. and Mrs. Shane Peterson
and
Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Lincoln
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children ..."
For sticky situations involving divorced and stepparents, you could also use the wording:
"The Peterson and Lincoln families
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting
their children ..."
The Couple and Both Families are Hosting
"Together with their families
Brenda Rae Robinson
and
Joel Christopher Fritz ..."
would cover all bases if the couple and both families are hosing the wedding. If you can't figure out whose names to list, or in what order, try a simple "with their family" verse to encompass everyone without hurting feelings or leaving anyone out.
Tags: your presence, honor your, honor your presence, Jonathan Davis, request honor, request honor your, your wedding