Get The Right Wording

Today, it’s not always easy to know the "proper" wording for your wedding invitations.

Below, you'll find the traditional etiquette wording for invitations along with some less formal and contemporary wording as well.

General Invitation Wording:

When Hosted by the Bride’s Family:

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Booker
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Leigh
to
James David Caldwell
on Saturday, the fourth of June
two thousand and five
at three o’clock
Saint Anne’s Church
Bristol, Virginia

When Hosted by the Groom’s Family:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anthony Caldwell
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss (or Ms.) Jennifer Leigh Booker
to their son
Mr. James David Caldwell
on Saturday, the fourth of June
two thousand and five
at three o’clock
Saint Anne’s Church
Bristol, Virginia

When Hosted by Bride and Groom
(Option 1):

Jennifer Leigh Booker
and
Mr. James David Caldwell
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
etc.

When Hosted by Bride and Groom
(Option 2):

The honour of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Ms. Jennifer Leigh Booker
to
Mr. James David Caldwell
etc.

Hosted by Both the Bride and Groom's family:

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Booker
and
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anthony Caldwell
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Jennifer Leigh
and James David
etc.

Invitation Wording Includes Both Bride's and Groom's Family:

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Booker
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Leigh
to
James David Caldwell
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anthony Caldwell
etc.

Invitation Wording for Divorced or Deceased Parents:

When Both Divorced Parents Send Out Invitation:

Stacey Marie Brooks 
(OR Mrs. Stacey Connors if remarried)
and
Robert Allen Brooks 
(OR Mr. Robert Allen Brooks)
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Ann
to
William James Russo
etc.

Brides Mother Remarried After Being Divorced or Widowed:

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Johnson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Melissa Ann Brooks
OR
(at the marriage of their daughter)
OR
(at marriage of Mrs. Johnson’s daughter) etc.

Bride's Mother Sends Out Invitation:

Mrs. Stacey Lynn Brooks
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Melissa Ann
to
William James Russo
etc.

Grooms parents are divorced and included on invitation:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Ann
to
William James Russo
son of
Mrs. Joanne Ruth Wilson
and
Mr. Anthony Thomas Russo
etc.

Less Traditional Wording That Can Be Used…

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Pendergrass
and
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lee Venable
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage their children
Lisa Renee
and
Scott Calvin
This celebration of love will be on
Saturday, the seventeenth of September
two thousand and five
at two o'clock in the afternoon
Central Baptist Church
300 North Roan Street
Johnson City, Tennessee

In the celebration of love,
Shelly and Daniel Pendergrass
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Lisa Renee
and
Scott Calvin Venable
etc.

Together with their parents
Lisa Renee Pendergrass
and
Scott Calvin Venable
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the seventeenth of September
two thousand and five
at three o’clock in the afternoon
Central Baptist Church
300 North Roan Street
Johnson City, Tennessee

Shelly and Daniel Pendergrass
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their daughter
Lisa Renee
and
Scott Calvin Venable
etc.

Next:Tips for addressing and sending your invitations