Wording Woes

Not all weddings are held in a church, not all parents are married or paying for the event and not all weddings are the first ones for either of the couple. Therefore the traditional wedding invitation wording does not always apply. The following aims to provide some help for those stuck for words to express those different situations.

Including children into your invitation:
Many couples getting married now already have children, whether it be together or from a previous relationship. It can be nice to include the children into the invitation in the following ways:

(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
together with their children,
invite you to attend their wedding

**

(Child/children’s Name/s)
invites you to attend the wedding
of his/her parents
(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)

**

(Child/children’s Name/s)
invites you to attend the wedding
of his/her mother
(Bride’s Name)
to
(Groom’s Name)

**

(Child/children’s Name/s)
invites you to attend the wedding
of
(Bride’s Name)
to their father
(Groom’s Name)


Deceased parent:
Deceased parent/s do not have to be included on the wedding invitation as they are not hosting the wedding, but some couples feel they would still really like to have them represented.

(Bride's Name)
daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. (Bride's Father),
and
(Groom's Name)
invite you to attend their wedding celebration

Divorced parents:
If the bride or groom’s parents are divorced, it’s the bride or groom’s choice as to who is listed on the wedding invitation, depending on relationships and who is hosting the wedding. If both parents are included on the invitation then their full names should be listed separately as ‘Mr. Tom Jones and Ms Jane Doe’ and not as ‘Mr. and Mrs. Jones’. There are many different name situations that arise when it comes to parents re-marrying or having a long time partner, but it comes down to what everyone feels comfortable with. Here are a few suggestions to help.

If the brides parents are divorced:

Mr. (Bride’s Father)
and
Ms. (Bride’s Mother)
request your presence at the wedding of
their daughter,
(Bride’s Name)
to
(Groom’s Name)

If the brides parents are divorced and only one parent is hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. (Father’s Name)
invite you to the wedding of
(Bride’s Name)
the daughter of
Mr. (Father’s Name) and Ms. (Mother’s Name)
to
(Groom’s Name)


Destination weddings:
Many couples these days are deciding on travelling to a romantic destination to get married. In some cases the couples would like family and friends to join them on their holiday wedding and other choose to hold a private ceremony while they are away and then share in celebrations on their return.

Inviting others to join in a destination wedding:

Together with their parents
(Bride and Groom’s Names)
request the pleasure of
(Guest’s Names)
to share in our happiness with family and friends as we celebrate
our marriage in a beach ceremony on
Amunuca Island Resort, Fiji
on Wednesday 5th September 2009
 
If you wish to join us for a tropical holiday and celebrations
please contact (Bride and Groom’s Names)

A destination ceremony and a reception on the couples return:

(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
invite you to attend their wedding
in Paris, France
at (Ceremony Address)
on (date & time)

A reception will be held
to honor the new (Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Surname)
on (date)
at (time)
at (Reception Venue)
(Address)

A private destination ceremony and a reception on the couples return:

On (date)
We slipped a ring on each
other's finger
And made a promise for life...
Join us as we celebrate
now that we're husband and
wife!

You are invited to attend a
reception to honor the
newly married
(Bride and Groom’s names)
on (date and time)
at (reception venue)


Eloped:
Some couples choose to get married on their own and would like to put out an announcement to their family and friends which could be worded like this:

We set sail
for a much needed vacation,
and we tied the knot
in a tropical destination!

(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
were married
on (date)
at (ceremony location)

**

Because you are good friends
we thought you'd like to know
that we ran off and got married
We did it on the go!
(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
tied the knot
on (date)
at (ceremony location)
and now reside in their new home:
(Address)

The following can be used for couples who have eloped or those who have held a private ceremony and would like to share a reception with family and friends.

(Bride and Groom’s names)
are happy to announce
their marriage
that took place in a private ceremony
on (date)
at (ceremony location)

Please join them for a
reception to celebrate their union
on (date and time)
at (reception venue)

**

Join us in celebrating the
marriage of
(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
with a reception marking the
return from our wedding
ceremony in the
(Ceremony Venue)

The reception will be held
on (date and time)
at (Reception venue)

Renewing the wedding vows:
Some couples choose to renew their vows as they get older. Here are some suggestions to help word and invitation for this.

Together they have
found a friendship, raised a family,
and built a beautiful marriage
You are most warmly invited
to the reaffirmation of
(Bride and Groom’s names)
as they renew wedding vows
on (date and time)
at (venue)

**

A life of caring, sharing
A love of endless giving together...
The honour of your presence is requested
at the reaffirmation of wedding vows of
(Bride and Groom’s names)
on (date and time)
at (venue)