| Although the basics of wedding invitations haven't | | | | both wedding invitations and announcements is a |
| changed much over the years, family situations | | | | personal preference. |
| have become more complex than ever. | | | | The use of "to" or "and" on a line alone allows the |
| Ceremony and reception locations have also | | | | bride's and groom's names to stand out when one |
| become more varied as couples plan celebrations | | | | first glances at the invitation. When both sets of |
| that truly reflect their personalities. | | | | parents' names are at the top of the invitation, |
| In an effort to personalize your invitation, you | | | | using "and" between them is not improper, but it |
| may be tempted to add a favorite Scripture or | | | | will reduce the impact of the bride's and groom's |
| poem, but adhering to the more traditional | | | | names. In this situation, if you wish to include |
| wording is still the best plan. The invitation is | | | | "and," the best solution is to add it on the same |
| indeed meant to do what its name implies: ask | | | | line as the groom's parents' names. |
| guests to share your special day. If you want to | | | | GROOM'S NAME |
| use other wording or a sentimental verse, save it | | | | Along with the groom's full name, include the title |
| to include in your wedding program. When it | | | | "Mr." on the invitation under most circumstances. |
| comes to the actual wording, etiquette has | | | | If he is a doctor, the title "Doctor" should be |
| softened a bit with the times, but it still offers | | | | written in full, not abbreviated. |
| comfortable ways to work through difficult family | | | | DATE LINE, YEAR LINE |
| situations that may arise. Perhaps your parents | | | | Do not use abbreviations or numerals on the date |
| are divorced but still plan to host the reception | | | | line; each word shouldbe written out. Add |
| together, or maybe it's a second wedding and the | | | | "morning" or "evening" after the day only if the |
| two of you want to issue the invitations | | | | time of the wedding might otherwise be |
| yourselves. If so, you'll need to know how to put | | | | interpreted either way. If you plan to marry at |
| it in writing. The beauty of the following | | | | nine o'clock, for example, that could refer to |
| step-by-step advice is that it guides you through | | | | morning or evening and would need clarification. |
| every line of your invitation. With the proper | | | | Adding a line for the year is a matter of personal |
| wording to reflect your own situation, you can | | | | choice; it is not necessary, but it is also not |
| finalize the who, when, and where of one of the | | | | improper. You may want to include it since your |
| most memorable days of your life. | | | | wedding invitation will be a keepsake for |
| Using the handy step-by-step guide on the | | | | generations to come. The year should always be |
| opposite page and the easy line-by-line | | | | included on wedding announcements since they |
| explanations below, you and your fiance will be | | | | are mailed after the wedding has taken place. You |
| ready to compose the perfect wedding invitation. | | | | will occasionally see the word "on" used before |
| INVITATIONAL LINE | | | | the date, but it is preferable to omit it. |
| The first line, the "invitational line," just as its name | | | | TIME LINE |
| suggests, simply tells who is issuing the invitation. | | | | If you plan to marry on the hour, the time line |
| It typically includes the bride's parents' names | | | | simply reads "at five o'clock," but if your wedding |
| since they traditionally host the wedding, or the | | | | is scheduled for 5:30, it should read "at half after |
| invitational line may include the couple's names if | | | | five o'clock." |
| they are hosting the wedding themselves. | | | | LOCATION |
| REQUEST LINE | | | | Always include the full name of the wedding site, |
| The line that actually invites your guests to the | | | | with no abbreviations. If you plan to marry at |
| wedding varies depending on where you plan to | | | | home, simply include the full address. You may |
| marry. Use "request the honour of your | | | | use the phrase "at the residence of" if you plan to |
| presence" if you plan to wed in a church, | | | | marry at the home of friends. |
| synagogue, or other house of worship. Use | | | | LOCATION ADDRESS |
| "request the pleasure of your company" if you | | | | Since you rarely need to include the exact street |
| are marrying outdoors, at home, or at another | | | | address of your ceremony site unless two sites |
| venue such as a hotel or historical site. The | | | | share the same name, the city and state serve |
| preferred spelling for "honour" and "favour" is a | | | | as the address. If your reception will be held at |
| matter of personal preference. "Honour" is the | | | | the same site, you may add the line "and |
| more traditional, English version. Whichever spelling | | | | afterwards at the reception" following the city and |
| you choose, use it consistently throughout your | | | | state. |
| weddingcorrespondence. | | | | FOOTNOTES |
| BRIDE'S NAME | | | | A brief footnote may be added at the bottom of |
| The bride's two given names are shown on this | | | | your invitation to indicate proper attire or another |
| line. Her last name is also included if it is different | | | | special circumstance, and may be positioned in the |
| from her parents' last name, if the groom's | | | | left corner, right corner, or bottom center. Keep |
| parents' names are also on the invitation and she | | | | in mind that it should be no more than a word or |
| wants to add her last name for clarity, or if she | | | | two; too much copy and the words will be small |
| and her fiance are issuing the invitations | | | | and difficult to read. A footnote that's too long |
| themselves. | | | | can also detract from the look of your invitation |
| JOINING WORD | | | | by throwing the copy off balance. |
| Traditional wording often uses the preposition "to" | | | | A footnote may be added to a traditional wedding |
| since the bride will bemarried "to" her groom; | | | | invitation, if the ceremony and reception will take |
| however, traditional Jewish invitations include the | | | | place at the same location and if you do not |
| word "and" between the bride's name and the | | | | choose to include a separate reception card. |
| groom's name to indicate the joining of two | | | | That is it! There are a thousand (or maybe more!) |
| families. You will also find "and" used in the | | | | things that you need to think about before your |
| traditional wording for invitations to many Catholic | | | | wedding day. Hopefully, finding the right wording |
| ceremonies. Basically the use of "to" or "and" in | | | | for your wedding invitation won't be one of them. |