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Wedding Invitation Wording

Wedding invitation wording will vary by type of wedding. The proper wording on the invitation should reflect expectations you have of your guests, while also letting them know what to expect from your wedding.

Wedding Invitation Wording to a Church Wedding

For a church wedding, the invitation wording should be somewhat formal. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Mary
and
Mr. John Smith
Saturday, the fourth of June
Two thousand and five
at six o'clock in the evening
St. Mary's Church
White Plains, New York

Wedding Invitation Wording to a Home Wedding

Although there is no need to differentiate in the quality or style of your invitation to a home wedding from a church wedding, it is customary to use the term "request the pleasure of your company," rather than "request the honor of your presence." For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Mary
and
Mr. John Smith
On Saturday afternoon, June the fourth
at two o'clock
125 Main Street
Anytown, New York

Wedding Invitation Wording for a Second Wedding

If the bride is a widow, the wedding invitation can be issued in the name of her parents or other closest living relative(s). It is proper for her to be referred to by the last name of her deceased husband, if she uses that name. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Mrs. Jane Smith
to
Mr. John Jones
on Saturday, June the fourth
at ten' o-clock
St. Mary's Church
White Plains, New York

If the bride is divorced, or if a widowed bride has no living parents or close relatives, the couple may invited the guests themselves. The bride should use on the invitation the last name she uses elsewhere. If she retained her ex-husband's last name, she should use that. Otherwise, her maiden name is used. For example:

The honor of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Ms. Jane Doe
and
Mr. John Smith
on Saturday, June the fifth
at ten o'clock
at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. William Smith
125 Main Street
Anytown, New York