OsloPress

I figured it was about time to revisit the options you have for wording your invitations. Below you will find several sample methods of wording for when you wish to acknowledge that the wedding is being hosted by parents. As always, these are just some basic ideas and wording can be mixed and matched – or replaced with just about anything you please. The level of formality is easily altered by the words you choose. This will be a topic I cover at another time. Today I will just give you an idea of how to handle the names.

Bride’s parents are hosting:

In this case it is up to you whether or not to include the groom’s family in the wording.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them
in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson…

Or

Please share our joy
at the wedding of
Mary Ellen
daughter of Lisa and Johnathan Smith and
Michael Lee
son of Joy and Robert Anderson

Or the name of the host can follow at the end:

With joyful hearts
we ask you to be present
at the wedding ceremony of
Mary Ellen
and
Michael Lee
Date
Year
Time
Venue
Location

Lisa and Johnathan Smith

Both sets of parents are hosting:

Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding ceremony of
Mary Ellen Smith
and
Michael Lee Anderson…

For parents with different last names:

Mrs. Lisa Johnson
and Mr. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson…

Divorced and remarried parents:

Mr. and Mrs. Gordan Matterson
and Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them in a celebration of love as
Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson…

When a parent is deceased:

In this case, the deceased parent can not be considered a host, so you can either use the name of the surviving parent only or you can word it such as this:

Mary Ellen
daughter of Lisa Smith and the late Johnathan Smith
and
Michael Lee
son of Joy and Robert Anderson
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage…