We know it can be difficult and overwhelming trying to figure out invitation wording, which is why we have a questionnaire that you complete that helps you walk through options. You are not on your own when you work with Weddings By Carue. Traditional wording vs. modern wording, we help you make sure the wording matches your wedding theme and you as a couple.
Here are a few helpful tips.
Traditional Wording
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith [proper names of those hosting]
request the honor of your presence[request line]*
at the marriage of their daughter [list relationship of the bride to the host]
Joanne Lynn [bride’s first and middle names only]
to Zach James Graham [groom’s full name]
Saturday the first of September [day of the week, day and month of wedding]
at four o’clock in the afternoon [time of wedding and time of day]
Noah’s Event Center [name of the location of wedding]
St. Louis, Missouri [city and state where wedding will take place]
Reception to follow [reception line]
Weddings By Carue Note: If the bride’s parents are hosting, it is customary to leave off the bride’s last name.
If the groom’s parents are involved, the bride’s last name should be included.
One set of parents is hosting your wedding:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Joanne Lynn
and
Zach James Graham
Both sets of parents are jointly hosting:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Jim J. Graham
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Joanne Lynn Smith
and
Zach James Graham
The couple is hosting the wedding:
Joanne Lynn Smith
and
Zach James Graham
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
Everyone is hosting:
Joanne Lynn Smith
and
Zach James Graham
together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Jim J. Graham
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
Modern Wording
Think that wedding etiquette rules are outdated, especially when it comes to wording your invitations?
Check out our list of more modern ways to word your invitations.
Not-So-Proper Parents
- List the parents names without the proper surnames; it almost seems archaic to address everyone as a Mr. or a Mrs.
Jason and Eliza Miller
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Katie Lynn
to
Robert Luke
son of
Randall and Meredith Richards
Relaxed Request Line
- Alter the “request line” to suit the style of your wedding. Many couples not marrying in a religious institution or marrying in a very casual setting, pen their invitations with “pleasure of your company.”
Jason and Eliza Miller
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Katie Lynn
to
Robert Luke
son of
Randall and Meredith Richards
Really Relaxed Request Line
- Other couples are forgoing the traditional “honor of your presence” or “pleasure of your company” altogether and are opting for a more relaxed and festive “request line.”
Jason and Eliza Miller
invite you to share and celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Katie Lynn
to
Robert Luke Richards
Couples Come First
- Many couples who are hosting the wedding alongside their parents, choose to eliminate their parents’ names and save space with a simple suggestion of their financial help and loving support.
Katie Lynn Miller
and
Robert Luke Richards
together with their parents
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage - For couples entirely hosting the wedding themselves, parents names are not included on the invitation. However, it is important to remember to thank each set of parents for their support with a toast at the reception.
Katie Lynn Miller
and
Robert Luke Richards
invite you to share in their joy
as they exchange marriage vows