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Writer's pictureJaime A. Zucker

Tips and Etiquette: Samples of Formal Invitation Wording



Calligraphy

Bride’s parents, who are divorced and remarried, host the wedding together:

Mr. and Mrs. Ronan Videla

and

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Andreason

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Kelly Grace Andreason

and

Mr. Garrett John Hanna

Saturday, the twenty-second of March

two thousand seventeen

at six o’clock

Temple Sinai

Granville, Ohio

Bride’s mother and stepfather host:

Mr. and Mrs. Ronan Videla

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of her daughter

Kelly Grace Andreason

to

Mr. Garrett John Hanna

Friday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand sixteen

at seven o’clock

Viansa Winery

25200 Arnold Drive

Sonoma, California

Bride’s only living parent hosts:

Mr. [or Mrs.] Michael Thomas Fitzloff

requests the honour of your presence

at the marriage of his [or her] daughter

Shannon Michelle

to

Lieutenant Roger Stephen Manning, U.S. Navy

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand sixteen

at two o’clock

New Haven Community Church

New Haven, Georgia

Groom’s parents host:

Mr. and Mrs. George Dempsey

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of

Miss [or Ms.] Beth Ann Boomgarten

to

their son

Mr. Alexander Graham Dempsey

Friday, the fourteenth of November

two thousand nineteen

at six o’clock

St. Thomas Cathedral

Spokane, Washington

Both bride and groom's parents host:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilfork

and

Captain and Mrs. William James Plett

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of

Matilda Renee Wilfork

and

Timothy James Plett

Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August

two thousand seventeen

at four o’clock

St. James Catholic Church

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride's parents host, but include groom's parents' names:

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Jeremiah Crenshaw

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Hillary Jo

and

Mr. Anthony Patrick Ames

son of

Captain and Mrs. Patrick George Ames

Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August

two thousand seventeen

at four o’clock

St. James Catholic Church

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride and groom host:

Miss [or Ms.] Elizabeth Marie Carrington

and

Mr. Richard James Handlin

request the honour of your presence

at their marriage

Saturday, the tenth of July

two thousand seventeen

at half after four o’clock

First Congregational Church

Richmond, Virginia

The honour of your presence

is requested

at the marriage of

Miss [or Ms]. Elizabeth Marie Carrington

to

Mr. Richard James Handlin

Saturday, the tenth of July

two thousand seventeen

at half after four o’clock

First Congregational Church

Richmond, Virginia

The families host together:

Together with their families

Miss Macey Leigh Kirkland

and

Mr. Will Ronald Germundson

request the honour of your presence

at their marriage

Saturday, the tenth of July

two thousand seventeen

at half after four o’clock

First Congregational Church

Richmond, Virginia

Bride’s other family members host:

Mr. Eric Henry Evans

requests the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of his sister

Lisa Marie

to

Mr. Ian John Wyskowski

Saturday, the fourth of June

two thousand seventeen

at one o’clock

The Ritz-Carlton

St. Louis, Missouri

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elliott

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their niece

Miss [or Ms.] Samantha Jane Richards

to

Mr. Scott Randolph Markham

Saturday, the fourth of June

two thousand seventeen

at one o’clock

The Ritz-Carlton

St. Louis, Missouri

Tips

  • Jewish wedding invitation wording differs only in that "and" is used instead of "to" between the bride and groom’s names.

  • Invitations may include "and your participation in the offering of a Nuptial Mass" beneath the groom’s name, when a Roman Catholic mass is being celebrated as part of the ceremony.

  • Allow plenty of time to carefully address, assemble, and mail your invitations.

  • Organize your master guest list in a functional form (file cards, computer database, work sheet.)

  • Using your finalized guest list, stay organized by developing a system for addressing and mailing your invitations.

  • Create an assembly line of sorts by arranging each piece that goes into an invitation in the order they will be picked up, assembled, and inserted into the envelope.

  • If needed, enlist the help of family, bridal attendants, or friends to help with the assembly.

  • Include enclosures such as map cards and accommodation cards for out-of-town guests.

  • Never include registry or gift information with (or on) your invitation. If someone asks, you, your family, bridal attendants, and friends can let them know by word of mouth.

  • Attire or dress code should not be mentioned on the wedding invitation. You may include "Black tie" in the lower right on a reception invitation, if necessary.

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