Invitation Wording

Your invitations are the first statement you make about the big event. An invitation should give guests the following information: who, what, when, and where, plus directions or a map (especially if the ceremony and reception are in two different places). The language you use not to mention the style of script and paper color also hints at the wedding's level of formality, informing guests what to expect and to wear. Here are some standard wording samples:

Bride's Family is Hosting the Wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Keith Bryant
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Tiffany Nicole
to
Ryan Michael Lylen
Saturday, the fourteenth of September
at seven o'clock
Church of God,
Jonesboro, Arkansas

When the invitation includes both sets of parents:

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Keith Bryant
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Tiffany Nicole
to
Ryan Michael Lylen
son of
Mr. and Mrs. George Henry Lylen
Saturday, the fourteenth of September
and so on...

Joint Hosting by Both Families:

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Keith Bryant
and
Mr. and Mrs. George Henry Lylen
request the pleasure of your company at
the marriage of their children
Tiffany Nicole
and
Ryan Michael
and so on...

The Couple Hosting:

The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Ms. Tiffany Nicole Bryant
to
Mr. Ryan Michael Lylen
Saturday, the fourteenth of September
at seven o'clock
and so on...

When the bride's mother has remarried after being widowed or divorced:

Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Cope
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Cope's daughter
Sophia Maren Black
and so on...

When a widow (or widower) who has not remarried hosts the wedding:

Mrs. Karen Black
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Sophia Maren
and so on...

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. Dorothy Young Jones) or she may use her first name (Dorothy Young Jones). If she has gone back to her maiden name, she may use that (Ms. Dorothy Young). If a divorced father issues the invitation, it should carry his full name (Mr. John Michael Jones):

(Ms.) Dorothy Young
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jessica Lynn Jones
and so on...

When divorced parents send a joint invitation:

(Mrs. or Ms.) Dorothy Young Jones
(or Mrs. Marvin Barber, if remarried)
and
(Mr.) John Michael Jones
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jessica Lynn
and so on...

Feel free to adapt the traditional examples above to more intimate text that's better suited to your family situation, personal flair, and/or wedding theme. For more ideas check out this site http://www.verseit.com