A little bit about wording
Wedding invitation wording is influenced by several factors – most importantly, in my opinion, the level of formality as well as who will be hosting the event. (and sometimes, a very opinionated relative or significant other!) A simple google search will dump nothing less than a bucket load of options on your lap and this can be, well, overwhelming. For that reason, I will be making several posts on wording. This will be based purely on my own research, and will hopefully prevent at least a few of our brides from feeling completely helpless.
I will begin with a less traditional approach – the wedding not hosted by parents.
These first few start out with a simple introduction:
Example 1
Please join us
For a celebration
of love, friendship, and family as
Jolie Anne Thomas
and
Alexander Raymond Marshall
Join their hands in marriage
Saturday, the nineteenth of May
two thousand and seven
at seven o’clock in the evening
Maplewood Greens
Renton, Washington
Example 2
You are cordially invited
to celebrate the wedding of
Lena Karen Touvelle
and
Patrick Scott Donnelly
on Saturday, the first of July
two thousand six
at Saint Francis Catholic Church
Portland, Oregon
The celebration will continue
at the Sullivan Tavern
Example 3
With joy in our hearts, we,
Melissa Lee
and
Steven Taos
Request your presence
As we exchange marriage vows …etc…
Or perhaps a more straight-forward approach:
Example 4
Emma Elaine Monroe
and
Johnathan Manning Smith
request the pleasure of your company
in celebrating their marriage
on Saturday, the nineteenth of August
two thousand six
at five o’clock in the evening
Meadow Park Inn
Addison, Vermont
Dinner and dancing to follow
Maybe you want to acknowledge your parent or family involvement in a less traditional way:
Example 5
Together with their parents,
Anne Elizabeth Myers
and
Thomas Duncan Moore
request …etc…
or
Together with our parents…
or
Together with our families…
Each of the above examples can be altered to suit your individual needs. I will leave other issues, such as level of formality and capitalization, to another day… As you can see, this is really just the beginning.
