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Invitation Wording

Language reflects your voice and the spirit of the occasion. We suggest you and your fiancé discuss the wording together. Also, to avoid offending anyone and to ensure family members are respected, consider consulting parents and/or co-hosts before composing.

Some couples are very traditional and wish to follow conventional "etiquette rules." Others are more liberal and prefer more intimate words. We're happy to offer suggestions to help you get started.

Traditional Wording

If you'd like to be very formal, here are some traditional guidelines and examples.

  • Don't use punctuation, except in titles, or when separating words in the date/location
  • Only use abbreviations for honorifics like "Mr.," "Mrs.," and "Mx."
  • "Doctor," "The Reverend," and other titles are written out, though "Dr." may be used if the name is long
  • Only use "honour of your presence" if the wedding is held in a place of worship
  • The bride's name precedes the groom's
  • The conjunction between the bride and groom's names is usually "to," though Jewish tradition uses "and"
  • The date is written in full, without using numbers
  • Half hours are indicated by "half after," not as eleven-thirty or half past eleven
  • Use "in the morning" or "in the evening" when the wedding is between eight and ten
  • Addresses are helpful. If your venue is easily confused with another location, include it.
  • Numbers may be used for street addresses, but words like "Avenue" and "Boulevard" are written in full
  • Zip codes are not typically used
  • Indicate the state, except when the location is New York City or Washington, District of Columbia
  • Reserve capitals for proper nouns, and if desired, the first letter of the year and/or reception line
  • British spelling is used for the most formal invitations (favour of your reply, honour of your presence)
  • Never allude to gifts or a registry

 

Bride's Parents Host
Religious Venue
Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mills
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace
to
Mr. Nathaniel Adam Turner

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August
two thousand thirteen
at half after four

The Episcopal Church of Saint Matthew
San Mateo, California

and afterward at the reception
Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California

Both Sets of Parents Host
Secular Venue
Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Edwin Mills
together with
Mr. and Mrs. David Lem Turner
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children

Emily Grace
and
Nathaniel Adam

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August
two thousand thirteen
at half after four

Kohl Mansion
2750 Adeline Drive
Burlingame, California

Reception to follow

Couple Hosts
Secular Venue
Formal

The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of

Miss Emily Grace Mills
to
Mr. Nathaniel Adam Turner

OR

Miss Emily Grace Mills
and
Mr. Nathaniel Adam Turner

request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their wedding

etc.

 

Contemporary Wording

Let's remember that it's 2023, not 1923, and there's plenty of room for variation and personal expression when writing your invitation. We think it's perfectly acceptable to omit titles and to use punctuation, abbreviations, numbers, and less formal language if it best fits your character. Feel free to mix and match from the examples below, or compose something wholly original. 

 

 

Bride's Parents Host
Groom's Parents Included
Religious Venue
Formal

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mills
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace
to
Nathaniel Adam

son of Mr. and Mrs. David Turner

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August
Two thousand thirteen

The Episcopal Church of Saint Matthew
San Mateo, California    

Reception to follow
Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California


Same-Sex Couple and
Both Sets of Parents Host
Secular Venue
Formal

Jason Brian Mills
and
Nathaniel Adam Turner

Together with their parents
Jane and Michael Mills
and Gayle and David Turner
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, August twenty-fourth
Twenty thirteen
at half past four o'clock
Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California

Dinner and dancing to follow


Couple Hosts
Secular Venue
Less Formal

Because you have shared in our lives
with your friendship and love, we,

Emily Grace Mills
and 
Nathaniel Adam Turner

invite you to share in the beginning
of our new life together
as we exchange marriage vows
Saturday, August twenty-fourth
Twenty thirteen
at half past four

Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California

Feast and merriment to follow

Both Sets of Parents Host
Religious Venue
Less Formal

With joyful hearts
Jane and Lee Mills
and Gayle and David Turner
invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their children

Emily Grace
and 
Nathaniel Adam

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August
Two thousand thirteen
at half past four in the afternoon

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
San Mateo, California

Reception to follow
Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California

 

 

Both Sets of Parents Host
Religious Venue
Less Formal

Jane and Lee Mills
and Gayle and David Turner
joyfully invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their children

Emily Grace
and 
Nathaniel Adam

Saturday, August 24, 2013
at half past four

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
San Mateo, California

Dinner and dancing to follow
Kohl Mansion
Burlingame, California
Couple Hosts
Religious Venue
Less Formal

Together with their families

Emily Mills
and Nathaniel Turner
         
joyfully invite you
to celebrate their wedding
July 24, 2013 at 4:30 pm
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
San Mateo, California

Reception to follow
at the home of Marilyn Tate
852 Mason Lane
Hillsdale, California
Bride's Divorced Parents Host
Bride's Mother is Remarried
Religious Venue
Formal


Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cohen
and
Mr. Lee Mills
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace Mills

OR

Mr. Eric Cohen and Ms. Jane Watson &
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mills
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace Cooper

etc.
Bride's Divorced Parents 
(Not Remarried) Host
Secular Venue
Formal


Mrs. Jane Watson Mills
Mr. Lee Mills
invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace

OR

Ms. Jane Watson
Mr. Lee Mills
invite you to celebrate

etc.
Couple and Parents Host
Bride's Mother is Widowed
Secular Venue
Formal


Emily Grace Mills
daughter of Mrs. Jane Mills and the late Mr. Lee Mills
and
Nathaniel Adam Turner
son of Mr. and Mrs. David Turner
invite you to celebrate their marriage



Parents Host
Groom's Mother is Widowed
Secular Venue
Formal

Mrs. and Mrs. Lee Mills
and Mrs. Gayle Turner
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of

Emily Grace Mills
and
Nathaniel Adam Turner

son of the late Mr. David Turner

etc.

 

 

Bride's parents hosting, with the

wedding held in a place of worship:        


Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cooper

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Emily Grace

to

Mr. Nathaniel Adam Turner

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August 

Two thousand and thirteen

at half after four o'clock

The Church of the Holy Cross

Belmont, California

and afterward at the reception

Kohl Mansion

Burlingame

 

 

Both sets of parents hosting, with the

wedding not in a place of worship:


Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cooper 

together with

Mr. and Mrs. David Turner

request the pleasure of your company    

at the marriage of their children

Emily Grace

and

Nathaniel Adam

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August

Two thousand and thirteen

at half after four o'clock

Kohl Mansion

Burlingame, California

Reception to follow


Couple hosting, with the wedding

not  in a place of worship:


The pleasure of your company

is requested

at the marriage of 

Miss Emily Grace Cooper

and

Mr. Nathaniel Adam Kron

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of August

Two thousand and thirteen

at half after four o'clock

Kohl Mansion

Burlingame, California

Reception immediately following




 

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