Invitation Wording

The following questionnaire will give me the details that I need to complete the wording for your invitations.  Below you will also find wording inspiration and examples.  If you already know what you want to say for each item, feel free to skip down to the final section for each item.

Invitation Wording Examples:

Bride and Groom Hosting:

When the bride and groom host, you do not traditionally include the names of the parents on the invitations.  However, it is becoming more popular to say "Together with their families" for those whose parents or relatives were involved.

Together with their families
Abigail Jane Smith
and
Henry James Mullen
invite you to celebrate their marriage on
Saturday, the Eleventh of June, Two Thousand and Eighteen
at Six o'clock in the evening
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Reception to follow

 

Because you have shared in
their lives by your friendship and love,
Lauren Elizabeth Matthews
and
William Eugine Grey
invite you to share the beginning of their new life together
as they exchange marriage vows
on Friday, the eleventh of May, two thousand eighteen
At half past four o'clock in the afternoon
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Dinner and Dancing to follow

Parents of the Bride Hosting:

Hosting parents are officially inviting the guests, so they are always mentioned first.  When parent's names are listed, there is no need to write down the sir names of the bride and/or groom as that would become repetitive.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Abigail Jane
to
Henry James Mullen
Saturday, the Eleventh of June, Two Thousand and Eighteen
at Six o'clock in the evening
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Reception to follow

 

With joyful hearts, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Matthews
ask you to be present at the ceremony uniting their daughter
Lauren Elizabeth
to
William Eugine
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Grey
on Friday, the eleventh of May, two thousand eighteen
At half past four o'clock in the afternoon
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Dinner and Dancing to follow

Both Parents Hosting::

If both sets of parents are financially involved, then both are listed—bride’s family traditionally goes first.  When parent's names are listed, there is no need to write down the sir names of the bride and/or groom as that would become repetitive.

Mr. and Mrs. William Lynn
and Dr. and Mrs. Shawn James
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Juliette Crystal
to
Shawn Michael
Saturday, the Eleventh of June, Two Thousand and Eighteen
at Six o'clock in the evening
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Reception to follow

 

There are lots of different ways that you can word your invitations.  The options that I have listed above are just meant to serve as a general guide if you don't know where to start.  Feel free to have a little fun and get creative with your wording, but don't let it frustrate you!  Send me a quick note if you have any questions regarding your text and I will do what I can to help you.

 

Etiquette—Fun facts:

Is your ceremony taking place in a church? Then instead of "request the honor of your presence", you would use the alternative spelling: "honour"

The woman's name is always first.  Even if you are inviting an old college friend, if you want to address his girlfriend by name instead of using "and guest", then she will be listed on the invitation first. 
Example: Ms. Lauren Matthews and Mr. William Grey.

A man's first name is never separated from his last name.  If his wife wants to have her name listed, then her name is first and her husband's name is second, so as to stay with his sir name.
Example: Mrs. Lauren and Mr. William Grey

Highest rank goes first.  A doctor is always addressed first (wording example above if it is the wife with a higher educational rank), if both are doctors, the one with the highest degree is mentioned primarily.