Etiquette & Invitation Wording Guide

Each wedding is unique and it’s important to keep that in mind. The invitation sets the tone for the wedding and your guests will better understand your intentions if your wording is true to the feel of the event. Some weddings are formal black tie affairs and others are informal outdoor get-togethers — as long as it’s a representation of the two of you, you cannot go wrong. The following etiquette advice is quite traditional and can serve as a guide. It follows Emily Post’s Etiquette, which was first authored in 1922 and represents the most formal wording. It is not necessary to follow every single detail. From here you can determine what’s best for you, your fiancé and your families.


INVITATION ESSENTIALS

  • Who is hosting (parents, couple, etc)
  • Purpose of the event (wedding, commitment ceremony)
  • Who is being honored (bride, groom, etc)
  • When (date & time)
  • Where (house of worship or other location)
  • Reception information and a request for reply

TRADITIONAL ETIQUETTE

  • Hosts are listed first
  • No punctuation except Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., Sr., and the comma in-between the date
  • Use full names and titles of those extending the invitation (middle name can be dropped if name is too long)
  • The use of “honour” and “favour” are intended for a house of worship
  • If a Catholic mass is part of the ceremony, the line “at the Nuptial Mass uniting their daughter” will be added in place of “at the marriage of their daughter”
  • Bride is listed without a title and her last name, unless her last name differs from the hosts
  • In the Jewish faith, the word “and” replaces “to” (Quinn Reese and Mr. Jacob Alexandra Kuhn)
  • The full date & year is always included and spelled out (two thousand seventeen)
  • For street addresses, long numbers are written in numerals, one-worded numbers are spelled out
  • When referring to half hours, it should be written “half after four o’clock”
  • If there is a reception, a reply is necessary — if the invitation is only for the ceremony, no reply is needed
  • If there is no reply envelope included, replies are sent to the return address on the invitation envelope

Examples of Wording

# 1 – BRIDE’S PARENTS HOSTING:

Doctor and Mrs. David Andrew White, Jr.
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Quinn Reese
to
Mr. Casey Peyton Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Mountain View Inn
Stowe, Vermont

*Mr. can be removed, with it — it’s considered formal 


#2 – BOTH PARENTS INCLUDED:

Mr. and Mrs. David White
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter

Quinn Reese
to
Casey Peyton

son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont

Dinner & Dancing to Follow


#3 – COUPLE HOSTS, CHURCH CEREMONY:

The honour of your presence
is requested at the marriage of

Quinn Reese White
to
Mr. Casey Peyton Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock
Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Mountain View Inn
Stowe, Vermont


#4 – BOTH PARENTS HOST:

Mr. and Mrs. David White
and
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children

Quinn Reese
to
Casey Peyton

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont

Reception to Follow


# 5 – IN A CHURCH:

Together with their parents

Quinn Reese White
and
Casey Peyton Smith

request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Cocktails, Dinner & Dancing to Follow


# 6 – OUTSIDE OF A CHURCH:

Together with their families

Quinn Reese
and
Casey Peyton

invite you to attend their wedding
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at three o’clock

Essex Country Club
Essex, Vermont

Reception to Follow


# 7 – DIFFERENT LOCATIONS:

Together with their parents

Quinn Reese Armstrong
and
Casey Peyton Smith

invite you to celebrate their wedding
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

Mapleview Chapel
East Fairfield, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Cambridge Inn
Cambridge, Vermont


# 8 – MANY HOSTING:

Together with their families

Quinn White
and
Casey Smith

request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont

Dinner and Dancing to Follow


# 9 – INFORMAL JOY:

Quinn Reese White
and
Casey Peyton Smith

invite you to share
the joy of their marriage
Saturday, the twenty-six of July
at four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont
Reception to Follow


# 10 – INFORMAL INVITATION:

Quinn White
and
Casey Smith

invite you to attend
their marriage
on
Saturday, July 26, 2019
at four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont


# 11 – INFORMAL DATES:

Please share in our joy
at the marriage of our daughter

Quinn White
to
Casey Smith

July 26, 2019
at four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont
Dinner and Dancing to Follow


# 12 – INFORMAL CELEBRATION:

You’re invited
to the marriage of

Quinn White
and
Casey Smith

we hope you will join us
and celebrate our union
Saturday, the twenty-six of July
two thousand twenty-one
at four o’clock

The Mountain Inn
Burlington, Vermont


# 13 – CO-HOSTING DIVORCED PARENTS:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Guild
and
Mr. Casey White
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Quinn Reese White
to
Mr. Casey Peyton Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Mountain View Inn
Stowe, Vermont

* bride’s full name is used here, if bride’s parents are co-hosting, the bride’s mother appears first (with current spouse if applicable)


# 14 –  PARENT & STEPPARENT HOSTING:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Guild
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his/her daughter

Quinn Reese [White]
to
Mr. Casey Peyton Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand twenty-one
at half after four o’clock

Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Mountain View Inn
Stowe, Vermont

* bride’s full name is used here if different from her stepfather’s


# 15 – ONE LIVING PARENT:

Mr./Mrs. David Andrew White
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his/her daughter

Quinn Reese
to
Mr. Casey Peyton Smith

Saturday, the twenty-sixth of July
two thousand seventeen
at half after four o’clock

Saint Luke’s Church
Stowe, Vermont

Reception to Follow
Mountain View Inn
Stowe, Vermont