Gone are the days when wedding etiquette mandated
that the bride's parents, and the bride's parent's only, hosted the
wedding. Today anyone can foot the bill, and with modern familial
arrangements often anything but nuclear, there is no straightforward
rule for Wording Wedding Invitations. We've sorted through the confusion to
bring you wording samples for the most common arrangements:
Simple, Traditional Format
[proper names of those hosting] (official hosts line)
request the honour of your presence (request line)
at the marriage of their [relationship of the bride to the host]
[bride's first and middle names]
to
[groom's full name],
the [day of the week] of [day and month of wedding]
at [hour] o'clock in the [time of day] at
[name of wedding venue] in
[city, state]
Reception to follow
Divorced Parents
[proper name of host]
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of [his/her] [relationship of the bride to the host]
Or, if parent is remarried and hosting with new spouse:
[proper names of those hosting]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of [his/her] [relationship of the bride to the host]
Or, if divorced parents are mutually hosting:
[proper name of mother]
and
[proper name of father]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their [relationship of the bride to the host]
When the Bride's One Living Parent is Hosting
The invitation is issued only in the name of the living parent:
Mr. [Mrs.] Jonathan Stephen Smith and Timothy Wright
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his [her] daughter
Elizabeth Ann
When the Bride and Groom Host
The honour of your presence
is requested
it the marriage of
Miss Ashley Johnson
to
Mr. Paul Wilkins
OR
Miss Ashley Johnson
and
Mr. Paul Wilkins
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
Alternative "Request Line" Options
• "pleasure of your company"
• "honor of your presence" (used instead of the formal "honour" when ceremony does not take place in a house of worship)
• "share and celebrate in their joy" another creative idea that reflects the theme and tone of your wedding.
Now that you've got a handle on wording your invites, this wedding invitations guide can take you the rest of the way with more tips and advice on planning your invitations.