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WEDDING ETIQUETTE

Invitation Wording

1. HOST LINE

The hosts of the wedding should be listed here. This can be the bride's parents, the groom's parents, both, or neither. 

2. REQUEST ATTENDANCE

There are many different ways to word the request line. For formal weddings "request the honor of your presence" is traditionally used (spelling changes to "honour" if the ceremony is taking place in a house of worship). See examples below for more options.

3. BRIDE'S NAME

The bride is listed first. If her parents are mentioned, only her first and middle name are required.

4. GROOM'S NAME

The groom is listed next. If his parents are mentioned, only his first and middle name are required. Otherwise, his full name is listed.

5. DATE & TIME

For formal invitations the month, day, year, and time are spelled out. For less formal invitation designs, it is okay to use numbers.

6. CEREMONY VENUE

According to traditional wording etiquette, the street address is not required - just the city and state. However, if the venue is not well known it is common to write the street address but exclude the zip code. 

7. RECEPTION LINE

This is only listed if the ceremony and reception are happening in the same location. Otherwise, reception information is listed on a separate card.

8. ATTIRE

The attire is only mentioned for "formal",  "black tie", or "black tie optional" weddings. It is traditionally located in the bottom right corner of the invitation, unless centering is preferred. If your invitation suite has a reception card then attire could be listed on that card instead.

Sample Wording

These wording examples provided can be used as a starting point, and then modified accordingly.

Example #1

Bride's Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. John Flora
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Angela Christina
to
Robert Joseph Charles

example #2

Groom's Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. John Flora
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Angela Christina Flora
to their son
Robert Joseph

Example #3

Bride's Parents Hosting with Mention of Groom's Parents

Mr. and Mrs. John Flora
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Angela Christina
to
Robert Joseph Charles
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barnes

example #4

Both Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. John Flora
along with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barnes
request the honor of your presence
the marriage of their children
Angela Christina
and
Robert Joseph

Example #5

Couple and Parents Hosting

Together with their families (or "parents")
Angela Christina Flora
and
Robert Joseph Charles
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage ceremony

example #6

Couple Hosting

Angela Christina Flora
and
Robert Joseph Charles
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage ceremony

Example #7

No Mention of Hosts

The honor of of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Angela Christina Flora
and
Robert Joseph Charles

example #8

Divorced Parents Hosting

Mr. John Flora
and Ms. Nancy Jones
request the honor of your presence
the marriage of their daughter
Angela Christina
to
Robert Joseph