How do you word wedding invitations when parents are hosting?

When parents are hosting a wedding, the invitation wording typically begins with the parents’ names as the hosts, followed by a formal request for the guest’s presence at the wedding. The structure emphasises parental involvement and follows traditional etiquette.

Traditional Structure for Parent-Hosted Invites

The most common format for wedding invitations when parents are hosting is:

[Parent(s)’ names]
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their [son/daughter/child]
[Name of bride/groom]
to
[Name of bride/groom]
[Date, Time, Venue]

This format provides clarity about who is extending the invitation and follows long-established conventions in formal wedding stationery.

Addressing Different Family Situations

If both sets of parents are hosting, list both pairs of names, typically with the bride’s parents first. For example:

Mr and Mrs David Smith
and
Mr and Mrs Charles Taylor
request the pleasure of your company…

For divorced, remarried, or single parents, each situation may require small adjustments, such as listing names separately or including stepparents as appropriate. Clarity and respect are prioritised in the invitation’s presentation.

Customisation and Modern Options

Modern wedding invitation templates allow for extensive customisation, including collaborative wording if both the couple and parents are hosts. Products such as premium customisable wedding invitation cards on Shopify can simplify this process, offering editable templates with suggested formality and structure.

Ultimately, maintaining clarity in communication, using formal language, and clearly stating who is hosting ensures the invitation meets traditional expectations while allowing for personal touches suited to today’s diverse families.