Wedding Invitation Wording FAQ

Not sure what proper wedding etiquette to use on your wedding invitations? We are here to help you! Below we have provided the answers to couples' frequently asked questions in regards to wedding invitations. Unless you used a save-the-date, your wedding invitations are the first impression of your big day, so make sure you include all of the key components of the invitations. Have your wedding stand out by having the correct wording and including all of the important information for your wedding day.

1. What information should I include in my wedding invitation?

Your wedding invitation should include basic information such as who is hosting, the name of the bride and groom, the Date, Time and Location. A traditional example would be:

Together with their Parents
Melissa Anne
And
Kevin Scott
Invite you to join in the celebration of their marriage

Saturday, the fourth of April
two thousand fifteen
at half after five in the evening

Sunset Yacht Club
235 Belmont Shore
Long Beach, California

Reception immediately following

2. Should we include the groom’s parents on the invitations if they are not hosting?

If the groom’s parents are not hosting the entire wedding, traditionally it is not necessary to include their names on the invitation. However, it is essential to add them if they are helping the bride's parents with the wedding. Furthermore, it is up to you and can be seen as a nice gesture of uniting the families by including them.

3. How do I word my wedding invitation if my parents are divorced?

If your parents are divorced and single hosting, list each of them separately on the Invitations:

Mr. David Jones and

Ms. Julie Brown

Invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter...

If only one parent is hosting, only that parent's name is necessary:

Mr. David Jones

Requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his daughter...

If your parents are divorced and remarried:

Mr. and Mrs. David & Allison Jones

And

Mr. and Mrs. George & Julie Addams

Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter...

4. My fiancé and I are hosting the wedding with our families, how should we word the wedding invitations?

To include everyone on the invitation you may use the phrase: "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families" at the top of the invitation. An alternative option would be writing out both sets of the parents’ names on the invitation.

5. What names should I use on the wedding invitation?

For a more formal approach, use your full name, first, middle and last. If your friends and family call you a name other than your real name it is recommended to add the name you go by on the invitation. You don’t want to confuse your guests and have them not know who you are. For example, if your real name is Patrick Jake Miller, and you go by Jake, make sure to add Jake on the invitation either with your full name or as Jake Miller. Choosing which names to use is completely up to you and your style, whether you want to use only your first name, first and middle, or full name, do what makes you comfortable.

6. Do we use punctuation on the invitation?

No punctuation is used except after titles such as Mr., Mrs. and Dr.

7. What is the difference between "request the honor of your presence" and "honor of your company"?

Using "request the honor of your presence" refers to a ceremony that occurs in a place of worship, such as a church or synagogue. The use of "request the pleasure of your company " is used for other venues.

8. How should we write the wedding date?

Depending on how traditional or informal you want your wedding invitation to be there are a variety of ways to include the date. The formal way would be to write out the entire date completely, "Saturday, the twenty-third of June two thousand and fifteen". For those with a more non-traditional invitation, you can also include the date as normal or all in numbers. Some common examples would be:

Saturday, June 23, two thousand and fifteen

06.23.15

06/23/15

23 June 2015

June 23, 2015

9. How do we state the time of the wedding?

The time can be written in a variety of ways to fit your style and theme. For example, if your wedding is at 5:30 p.m. the traditional wording to use is "half after five o’clock" or "five-thirty in the evening." If this is too formal for your style, you may write the time simply as 5:30 p.m.

10. I am having the ceremony and reception at the same location, how do I fit all the information on the wedding invitation?

If your wedding ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue, there is no need to include a separate reception card. Instead, adding a single line to the bottom of your wedding invitation with a phrase along the lines of "Reception to immediately follow."

11. Should I include a dress code?

Typically, the style of your invitations and the time, setting, and seasons of the event will be enough to inform your guests on what dress is best for the occasion. However, if you prefer a specific attire, such as black-tie, cocktail, etc., consider including this information at the bottom of your wedding invitations. Otherwise, you may include an enclosure card stating attire information for your guests. For example: "The ceremony & reception will be on the lawn; choose your footwear accordingly." or "This will be an outdoor ceremony and reception, please bring a sweater or a jacket to keep warm."

12. How do we inform the guest that it is adult only?

Writing "no children" or "adults only" on your wedding invitation is not considered very formal, but is acceptable for less-formal events. You may also indicate the number of guests and their names on response cards. If you receive calls asking whether or not children can come, be honest, and explain that you are having a small, intimate wedding or that the venue is not child-friendly.