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Wording the Invitations

The wording of wedding invitations can get tricky so here are some examples that are sure to fit any situation...

Note: Always spell out everything; do not use any abbreviations. Include full names and addresses of all people and places where appropriate.

Formal/traditional wording...
When the bride's parents are sponsoring the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Ann
to
Mr. Michael James Clark
on Saturday, the fifth of May
Two thousand and four
at two o'clock
United Methodist Church
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Less formal, more contemporary styles...
When the bride's parents are sponsoring the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
would like you to
join with their daughter
Melissa Ann
and
Michael James
in the celebration of their marriage

When both the bride's and groom's parents sponsor the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
and
Mr. and Mrs. William Clark
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Melissa Ann Kramer
and
Mr. Justin James Clark

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Ann Kramer
to
Michael James Clark
son of Mr. and Mrs. William Clark

When the groom's parents sponsor the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. William Clark
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Melissa Ann Kramer
to their son
Mr. Michael James Clark

When the bride and groom sponsor their own wedding:

The honor of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Miss Melissa Ann Kramer
and
Mr. Michael James Clark

OR

Melissa Ann Kramer
and
Michael James Clark
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage

When the bride, groom and both sets of parents all sponsor the wedding together:

Melissa Ann Kramer
and
Michael James Clark
together with their parents
request the honor of your presence

Divorced Parents
When the mother of the bride is sponsoring and is not remarried:

Mrs. Joseph Kramer
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Melissa Ann

When the mother of the bride is sponsoring and has remarried:

Mrs. Alan R. Smith
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Melissa Ann Kramer

OR

Mr. and Mrs. Alan R. Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Smith's daughter
Melissa Ann Kramer

When the father of the bride is sponsoring and is not remarried:

Mr. Joseph Kramer
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Melissa Ann

When the father of the bride is sponsoring and has remarried:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mr. Kramer's daughter
Melissa Ann

Deceased Parents
When one parent is deceased and the sponsor has not remarried:

Mr. Joseph Kramer
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Melissa Ann

When one parent is deceased and the sponsor has remarried:

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thompson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Thompson's daughter
Melissa Ann Kramer

When both parents are deceased (a close friend or relative may sponsor):

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Green
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their granddaughter
Melissa Ann Kramer