How Do We Word Our Wedding Invitations? – Ask The Expert Answer
Question from Miriam:
Hi, My fiance and I were just wondering how to word our wedding invitations. His parents are divorced but both have re-married. His mother has taken her
husbands new name but his father’s wife has kept her maiden name.
ie. Mr. & Mrs. John & Sonya Smith (Bride’s
Parents)
&
Mr. Shawn Black & Mrs. Nikie Dove (Groom’s
Parents)
&
Mr. & Mrs. Danny & Jenny Lawson (Groom’s
Parents)
I think there are too many names, but we don’t want to leave anyone out. My parents insist that their names are printed on the invitation. Thus, we feel my husband-to-be parents names should be on the invitation as well. But because their divorced…there are more names. What do you suggest?
And how do I shorten/get rid of some names without offending his parents?
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Miriam, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Wedding invitation wording protocol or etiquette is quite clear.
It always starts with who is paying for the wedding. The wording starts with Mr. & Mrs. I’m-paying-for-the-wedding request the honour of your presence at the marriage of brides name to grooms name son of Mr. & Mrs. Grooms Parents Name followed by when and where.
If your parents are paying for the wedding reception, the invitation would state:
Mr. & Mrs. John & Sonya Smith (Bride’s Parents)
request the honour of your presence at the marriage of
Miriam (full name)
to
groom’s full name
son of Mrs. Jenny Lawson and Mr. Shawn Black
It is proper etiquette to state the groom’s mother’s name first and then the father’s name in the case of a divorced couple. Who they re-married is not put on the wedding invitation.
If you can tell me who is paying for the wedding, I could give you the exact order of names. If you have any other questions, feel free to put them in the comment box below, and I will respond. I hope this helps.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert
