Wording Etiquette
Below are examples of proper Wording Etiquette
Mother and Father LIVING
Use Conventional Invitation Format as Follows:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
on Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand and four
at four o'clock in the afternoon
Saint Ann Church
Richmond, Virginia
If the Wedding is held at the Home of a friend,
substitute in place of Church the following wording:
...at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carl Powell
875 Baker Street
Richmond, Virginia
Mother or Father DECEASED and Living Parent has NOT REMARRIED
MOTHER Issuing Invitation:
Mrs. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
FATHER Issuing Invitation:
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
Mother or Father DECEASED and Living Parent has REMARRIED
MOTHER REMARRIED Issuing Invitation using her
Present Husband's name:
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Spencer
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann Williams
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
FATHER REMARRIED Issuing Invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
(In either of these cases, if the Bride is close to her stepparent, the phrase
"at the marriage of their daughter" is acceptable.)
Mother and Father DECEASED and Brother or Sister issues Invitation
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his sister
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
or
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kelley
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her sister
Kimberly Ann Williams
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
BRIDE'S Parents and GROOM'S Parents issuing Invitation
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
and
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Kimberly Ann
and
Paul David
BRIDE and GROOM issuing own Invitation
Miss Kimberly Ann Williams
and
Mr. Paul David Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
The word "Ms." may be substituted for "Miss".
DIVORCED Parents issuing Invitation
DIVORCED Mother's Invitation:
Mrs. Stephanie Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
DIVORCED Father's Invitation:
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
DIVORCED Parents Both Issuing Invitation:
Mrs. Stephanie Williams
and
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
SECOND MARRIAGES
Invitations to the marriage of a young divorcee or widow do not differ from those of a first marriage
except that the Bride's married name and her title may be used:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Ms. Kimberly Ann Williams Smith
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
GROOM'S FAMILY Issuing Invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Kimberly Ann Williams
to their son
Mr. Paul David Brooks
Either "Miss" or "Ms." are used when the sponsors of the wedding are not relatives.
DOUBLE WEDDINGS
When Brides are SISTERS:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
and
Jenna Elaine
to
Dr. Timothy Lee Andrews
When Brides are NOT SISTERS:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moreland
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Kimberly Ann Williams
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
and
Lauren Renee Moreland
to
Mr. Christian Robert Stewart
RECEPTION Invitation Issued when Ceremony is PRIVATE:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding reception of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
and
Mr. Paul David Brooks
Saturday, the fifth of June
two thousand and four
at six o'clock in the evening
The Riverside Inn
Richmond, Virginia
Correct Use of Military Rank on Wedding Invitations
NAVY ENSIGN and HIGHER RANK:
to
Paul David Brooks
Ensign, United States Navy
PETTY OFFICER and SEAMEN:
to
Paul David Brooks
United States Navy
ARMY, AIR FORCE AND MARINES CAPTAIN or HIGHER RANK:
to
Captain Paul David Brooks
United States Army
LIEUTENANT:
to
Paul David Brooks
Lieutenant, United States Army
NON-COMS and PRIVATES:
to
Paul David Brooks
United States Army
If you have any questions, feel free to call: 941.747.8576 or contact us.