Bella Figura

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Wedding invitation etiquette exists to help you craft your invitation wording in such a way that’s most proper and appropriate for your celebration. Following traditional wedding etiquette will ensure that your invitations don’t offend anyone on your guest list. In this day and age, there are many unique situations that may need to be addressed when it comes to your invitations, and we’ve got the answers for the most typical etiquette scenarios below.

Wedding Invitations

How do I word my invitation?

We’ve been coordinating and printing wedding invitations for years and years now, and we love to offer our wording expertise to our clients. If you’re stumped on how to handle a delicate situation with parent names on the invitation, or if you’re wondering do you really need to include your middle name on the invite, we can help. Also check out the etiquette section of our web site for wording suggestions that covers all sorts of situations and all sorts of pieces, including invitation wording, reply card wording, reception card wording, and more.

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Including the groom’s parents on the invitation

Including the groom’s parents names on the invitation // formal // secular location

It’s most traditional to include the names of the groom’s parents after the groom’s name.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Liam Quinlan
son of Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock 
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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Should I use an inner envelope?

More traditional and formal invitations tend to use an inner and outer envelope. On the inner envelope, you’d write the name of the person or persons invited, such as “Ms. Keats and guest.” More modern invitations—or couples looking for something more streamlined—often forgo the inner envelope (though in some regions of the country (i.e. the South), an inner envelope still seems to be a “must”). In most cases, it really depends on what you and your family prefer. Our rectangular Bella envelopes, which we custom made just for us, have beautifully snug inner and outer envelopes.

If lining your envelopes, we do recommend using an inner and outer envelope combination. If you only use an outer envelope, and that envelope is lined, guests will tend to tear that envelope open and miss the perfect burst of color that an envelope lining gives a set.

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Bride’s parents are hosting

Bride’s parents are hosting // formal tone // held in a religious house of worship

If the ceremony is held at a place of worship, the request line (the 2nd line of our example) is ”request the honour of your presence.“ If the ceremony is held at a non-religious, secular location, the request line is ”request the pleasure of your company.“

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen 
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

* the British spelling ”honour“ is most traditional, but if you’d like to use the American spelling (”honor“) it’s still just as correct. Just make sure to be consistent throughout your wedding suite — i.e. if you use ”honour“ on your invitation, spell ”favour“ on the reply card the British way.

 

Bride’s parents are hosting // formal tone // ceremony is not held in a religious house of worship (secular location)

If the ceremony is held at a place of worship, the request line (the 2nd line of our example) is ”request the honour of your presence.“ If the ceremony is held at a non-religious, secular location, the request line is ”request the pleasure of your company.“

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rosev to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock 
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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Groom’s parents are co-hosting

When the groom’s parents are contributing financially to the wedding, and both sets of parents are hosting, the groom’s parents can be are added at the top of the invitation.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning and
Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
together with
Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
and
Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Timothy Cullen
request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children

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The couple is hosting

The bride and groom are hosting // formal // religious location

The honor of your presence
is requested at the wedding of
Miss Amelia Rose Manning
to Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting // formal // secular location

The pleasure of your company
is requested at the wedding of
Miss Amelia Rose Manning
to Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting // formal variation // secular location

Amelia Rose Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting // formal variation // secular location

Amelia Rose Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting // less formal

In the celebration of love,
Amelia Rose Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

OR

Amelia Manning
and
Liam Cullen
invite you to celebrate
their wedding

OR

Amelia Rose Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
invite you to share with them
in the joy of their wedding

OR

Because you have shared in our lives
by your friendship and love, we
Amelia Rose Manning and Liam Quinlan Cullen
invite you to share
the beginning of our new life together
when we exchange wedding vows

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Divorced parents on the wedding invitation

Bride’s divorced parents are hosting // divorced parents are not remarried // formal wording // religious location

Ms. Margo Luanne Manning
Mr. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

Bride’s divorced parents are hosting // divorced parents are not remarried // formal wording // secular location

Ms. Margo Luanne Manning
Mr. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

Bride’s divorced parents are hosting // divorced parents are remarried // formal wording // religious location

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Richard Bronson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose Manning
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

OR

Mr. Zachary Bronson and Ms. Margo Timpano
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose Manning
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

Bride’s divorced parents are hosting // divorced parents are remarried // formal wording // secular location

Mr. Zachary Bronson and Ms. Margo Timpano
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose Manning
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

Both bride’s and groom’s parents are hosting // both sets of parents have been divorced and remarried // formal wording // secular location

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Richard Bronson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
and
Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Micah Coy
Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Amelia Rose Manning
to
Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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The couple is hosting with their families

The bride and groom are hosting with their families // formal // secular location

Together with their families
Amelia Rose Manning
and Liam Quinlan Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting with their families // less formal

Together with their parents
Amelia Manning
and Liam Cullen
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

The bride and groom are hosting with their families // less formal

With joyous hearts
we invite you to attend
the wedding of
Amelia Manning
and
Liam Cullen
Saturday, June 5
two thousand twenty
at 3 o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York
Dancing and merriment to follow

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Groom’s parents are hosting

groom’s parents hosting // formal wording // religious location

Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Amelia Rose Manning
to their son
Liam Quinlan
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

groom’s parents hosting // formal wording // secular location

Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Scott Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Amelia Rose Manning
to their son
Liam Quinlan
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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Including deceased parents on the wedding invitation

Including the deceased parent of the bride on the invitation // formal wording // religious location

Amelia Rose Manning
daughter of
Mrs. Margo Manning and the late Mr. Patrick Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
request the honour of your presence
at their wedding
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

 

Including the deceased parent of the groom on the invitation // both bride’s and groom’s parents are hosting // formal wording // religious location

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
together with
Mrs. Tara Emma Cullen
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding of
Amelia Rose Manning
and
Liam Quinlan Cullen
son of
the late Mr. Riordan Scott Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

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Less traditional or alternate wedding invitation wording options

Bride’s parents hosting // less traditional or alternate wedding invitation wording // secular location

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
invite you to witness and celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

OR

In the celebration of love,
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the pleasure of your company…

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
invite you to share
in the joy of the marriage of their daughter…

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
joyfully invite you to share
in the marriage of their daughter…

OR

Patrick and Margo Manning
invite you to share in the celebration
of the marriage of their daughter
Amelia
to Liam Cullen
June 5, 2020
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow

 

Bride’s and groom’s parents are both hosting // less traditional or alternate wedding invitation wording // secular location

Patrick and Margo Manning and
Riordan and Tara Cullen
invite you to the wedding of their children
Amelia Rose Manning
to Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, June fifth
two thousand twenty
at 3 p.m.
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

Groom’s parents are both hosting // less traditional or alternate wedding invitation wording // secular location

As we shall become one
to share all the days of our lives
Mr. and Mrs. Riordan Cullen
ask for the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of their son
Liam Quinlan
to
Amelia Rose Manning
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at 3’clock in the afternoon
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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Nuptial Mass

(if the ceremony will be a Nuptial Mass at a Roman Catholic Church)

Bride’s parents hosting // formal wording // Nuptial mass

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the Nuptial Mass uniting their daughter
Amelia Rose
and
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lewis Manning
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Rose
and
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
and your participation in the offering of the Nuptial Mass
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand twenty
at half after ten in the morning
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Syracuse, New York

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Widowed parents on the wedding invitation

Bride’s parent is hosting // bride’s parent is widowed // formal wording // secular location

Mrs. Margo June Manning
requests the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Amelia Rose
to
Mr. Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand and fifteen
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

 

Bride’s parent is hosting // bride’s parent is widowed and remarried, hosting with her spouse // formal wording // secular location

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Frederick Bronson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of Mrs. Bronson’s daughter
Amelia Rose Manning
to
Liam Quinlan Cullen
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand and fifteen
at three o’clock
Gilfillan’s West Hill Country Club
Camillus, New York

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COVID-19 has forced many couples to rethink their wedding plans, postponing their weddings or opting for smaller, more intimate ceremonies with larger celebrations to follow. We’re here to answer any of your wedding etiquette questions, so please be in touch if you’re wondering how to word your save the dates, wedding invitations, or insert cards.

COVID-19 etiquette

Downsizing or canceling your wedding

You’ve sent invitations but have decided to host a small ceremony with just your closest family and friends. You’ll celebrate with the rest of your guests at a later date:

 

Considering the uncertainty arising from the ongoing pandemic
and to ensure the wellbeing of our loved ones,
we have made the difficult decision to abbreviate
our wedding ceremony and celebration.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause
our intended guests.
We will be married this year in an intimate ceremony
and look forward to celebrating with you all in the future.

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Sending updates after sending invitations

Your original wedding date has changed, and you need to send an update to your guests:

 

So that we may celebrate safely,
Nicole and Randy’s wedding
has been postponed to
Saturday, September 19, 2021
For more information, please visit
www.nicoleandrandywed.com

Dear friends and family,
We have made the decision to move our wedding celebration
to the weekend of October 10-12, 2021.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Love,
Carolyn and David
For more information and to RSVP for the new date,
please visit our wedding website:
www.carolynanddavid2021.com

Your wedding has been postponed without a new date, and you need to send an update to your guests:

 

During this challenging and unprecedented time,
We regret to inform you that
Carly and Frederick’s wedding
Has been postponed.
We will keep you updated
when more information is available.
The Campbell and Monterey families

Change of plans
Out of an abundance of caution and concern
For the health and safety of our friends and family,
We have decided to postpone our wedding.
Further updates will be available on our website
www.sarahandjonny.com
With love,
Sarah and Jonathan

Same Couple.
Same Place.
New Date.
Due to current circumstances, we have made the decision to postpone our wedding to a later date.
Stay tuned for details. We are counting down to celebrate with you!
With love,
Amanda and Tyler

You’re proceeding with your wedding as planned, but want to include a card for guests to reference in case of changes:

 

It is with hopeful hearts that we
Proceed with our wedding as planned.
Out of care and caution for our family and friends,
We ask that you check our website
For up to date information.
www.carolynanddavid2021.com

We look forward to celebrating with you in December.
We are monitoring the
current health situation,
and should we need to postpone our wedding
we will do so by November 1st.
Please check our website
For up-to-date information:
www.thefuturecarters.com

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Hosting a virtual wedding

Change of Plans
Due to the current public health crisis,
we are unable to share this day in person
with all of our friends and family.
We would love for you to join us virtually
and witness the celebration of our marriage.
Please visit our website for details
on accessing our special day.
www.loisandandy.com

We have made the difficult decision to abbreviate our wedding ceremony and celebration.
While we wish you could be celebrating with us in person,
we hope that you can join us virtually to view our nuptial mass.
Saturday, the nineteenth of September
two thousand twenty
at two o’clock in the afternoon
www.maddiemarriescharlie.com

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Sending new save the dates

Your original wedding date has changed, and you need to send a new Save the Date to your guests:

 

Please save a NEW date
to celebrate
Alex and Kate
September 21, 2021
San Diego, California
www.alexandkate2021.com

Save our new date
The wedding celebration of
Sarah Collins
and
Andrew Mitchell
in Palm Beach, Florida
has been rescheduled for
December 12, 2021
Formal invitation to follow

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