When it comes to whose names are printed on a wedding invitation, modern life can make things a little confusing. Gone is the time when the wedding invitation was issued only by the bride's parents (as hosts, this meant their names headed the lineup). These days, many different people-including the bride and groom-can (and do) host the wedding and issue the invitation. Today's complex family structures (parents are divorced, widowed, remarried, and so on) only further complicate matters when it comes to invitation wording.
Beyond the name game, it's also important that the content of your invitation is clearly organized. It should give guests the following details: who, what (ceremony and/or reception), when, and where, plus directions or a map (especially if the ceremony and reception are in two different places).
BRIDE'S PARENTS HOST
BRIDE
and
GROOM
will be united in marriage
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
We joyfully invite you to worship with us,
witness their vows and celebrate
in the spirit of African tradition.
GROOM'S PARENTS HOST
continues as two families become one.
GROOM'S PARENTS
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
BRIDE
to their son
GROOM
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
CITY, STATE
Your presence will complete the circle
of family, friendship and faith.
VOW RENEWAL
Please join us as we
COUPLE
reaffirm our wedding vows
and Jump the Broom
as we did 20 years ago
in a traditional African ceremony
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
BOTH FAMILIES HOST
The honour of your divine presence
is called upon by the families of
BRIDE
and
GROOM
when they seal their love and commitment
to each other and to the Creator
while uniting both families
with a wedding that embraces their
African-American ancestry
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
Reception immediately following ceremony
BRIDE & GROOM HOST
Let's join our hands - form a ring
let's stamp our feet - dance and sing!
With joyful praise to
the Loving One who created us
BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to join the circle of celebration
as we unite our hands, hearts, and heritage
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
SECOND MARRIAGES
All that I have been,
All that I will ever be...
I offer now to you
Please join us in celebrating
new love, new dreams, a new future
as we exchange marriage vows
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE
BRIDE
and
GROOM
When the bride's mother has remarried after being widowed or divorced:
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Ruiz's daughter
Maria Caterina Mendoza
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois
When a widow (or widower) who has not remarried hosts the wedding:
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Maria Caterina
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
St. Peter & Paul Cathedral
28 Kronprindsens Gade
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
When a divorced mother who has not remarried hosts the wedding, a mother may use the traditional divorcee's combination of her maiden and married surnames (Mrs. Patricia Smith Rosen) or she may use her first name (Patricia Smith Rosen). If she has gone back to her maiden name, she may use that (Ms. Patricia Smith). If a divorced father issues the invitation, it should carry his full name (Mr. Jonathan Michael Rosen):
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jenna Lynn Rosen
on April 5th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
St. Peter & Paul Cathedral
28 Kronprindsens Gade
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
When divorced parents send a joint invitation:
(or Mrs. David Halperin, if remarried)
and
(Mr.) Jonathan Michael Rosen
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jenna Lynn
on June 15th
Two Thousand and four
at Four O'Clock in the afternoon
St. Peter & Paul Cathedral
28 Kronprindsens Gade
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands