Wedding stationery (yes, stationEry) day continues! After getting 7 awesome tips for how to choose your wedding invitations, Lindsey from PAPERMADE INVITES is bringing us even more vital info.
Wedding invitation wording can be a mine field. There are quite a few people who could potentially be offended if it’s not done correctly. The main factor to consider is who is footing the bill for the wedding. If your parents are contributing at all, they should definitely be mentioned on the invitation. And traditionally, even if the groom’s parents aren’t paying for anything, they would be mentioned too.
More and more couples are paying for the big day themselves. While it’s not necessary to mention your parents in this case, some couples decide to list their parents out of respect, and change the wording slightly. But it is perfectly acceptable not to.
Lindsey has compiled some traditional, modern and fun options for your invites, response cards and menus, take it away Lindsey!
Below are some examples of wedding phrasing: fun, modern and classic. *You can say “dinner, drinks and dancing to follow”, “reception to follow the ceremony” or make the response card fun by making it a “madlibs style card”, add menu items or icons, ask guests “what song will get you dancing?”, etc…ask me for some fun ideas on how to make it your own. A lot of the text on your invitations depends on who is hosting the wedding…and many times who is paying. There is a way to bridge the gap between both…by making it yours and showing respect at the same time.
Photo by Amber Glanville.
BRIDE AND GROOM HOSTING (contact me for more examples)
Example 1
(could also say together with their families)
Together with their parents
Samantha Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
request the honor of your presence at their marriage
on Sunday, the seventh of October
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 2
Because you have shared in
our lives by your friendship and love, we
Samantha Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
together with our parents
invite you to share
the beginning of our new life together when we exchange marriage vows
on Friday, the eleventh of May
two thousand and twelve
at half after four o’clock
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 3
The future seems so bright and clear
when I picture it with you near
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
request the honour of your presence at their marriage
Friday, the eighth of August
two thousand and twelve
at half after five o’clock
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 4
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
have chosen the first day
of their new life together
as Saturday, the fourth of October
two thousand and twelve
You are invited to share in their joy
as they exchange marriage vows
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 5
Kids at heart we’ll always be, as we go through life
you’ll always be my best friend, when we’re husband and wife
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
invite you to join the
celebration as we are married
on Saturday, the twenty-third of September
two thousand and twelve
at five o’clock in the evening
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 6
(Fun Wording)
Because your love and friendship have made us who we are,
And because you enjoy good beer and barbecue as much as we do
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
Invite you to join them at their wedding
on Saturday, the twenty-third of September
two thousand and twelve
at five o’clock in the evening
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 6
(Fun Wording)
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
Boy met Girl.
For the rest of the story…join us on
Saturday, the twenty-third of September
two thousand and twelve
Celebration will begin at four o’clock in the afternoon
Ceremony at dusk.
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
BRIDE AND GROOMS PARENTS INVITING (contact me for more examples)
Example 1
Mr. and Mrs. William Meyers
and
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Demett
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their children
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
on Saturday, the twelfth day of April
two thousand and twelve
at eleven o’clock in the morning
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 2
Mr. and Mrs. William Meyers
and
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Demett
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Samantha Anne Meyers
and
Nicholas Kristoff Demett
as they happily unite
their hearts and their lives through marriage
on Saturday, the second of August
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
Example 3
The Meyers and Demmet families
invite you to share in the joy of the marriage uniting
their children
Samantha Anne
and
Nicholas Christopher
on Saturday, the twelfth of July
two thousand and twelve
at eleven o’clock in the morning
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, Washington
These are just a few examples of the wording categories, there are many more for: separated/divorced parents inviting, mentioning deceased parents, brides parents hosting, grooms parents posting, destination weddings and eloped weddings.
RESPONSE CARD WORDING
TRADITIONAL RESPONSE CARD (can include the number of children attending)
____Accepts with Pleasure
____Number of Guests Attending
____Declines with Regret
ALTERNATE RESPONSE CARD WORDINGS (contact me for many more options)
____Can’t wait to celebrate
____Number of People Attending
____Will be there in Spirit
MADLIBS STYLE RESPONSE CARD
FUN RESPONSE CARD WORDING
Who’s In?
____Will be there with bells on!
____Will attend…no bells.
____Will not attend…has bell phobia. Sends regrets.
QUESTIONAIRE RESPONSE CARD (Ask your guests to full out a questionnaire. Start off with some basic questions and then add some fun ones)
M__________________________________
____Will Attend
____Regretfully Declines
At your wedding, I/we plan to:
____Eat a lot of cake
____Dance my feet off
____Smile endlessly
____All of the above
The happy couples best qualities include:
____Good looks
____Stunning Intelligence
____Witty sense of humor
____Excellent taste in friends
MENU CHOICE RESPONSE CARDS (meal icons are also a fun idea)
Photos by Amber Glanville
*You can also have fun with your meal choice. If you are offering guests more than one option for dinner, don’t feel you have to stick to the literal words of steak, fish, chicken and vegetables.*
Instead you could say:
Entree Choice:
____Moo!
____Cluck!
____The silence of vegetables growing
or
We prefer to dine on a beast
____Of the land
____Of the sea
____Of feathers
____Of soy
There are so many creative versions of wording on your wedding stationery to choose from. I have a million more to choose from, so message me for more details!
At PAPERMADE INVITES we offer the highest quality product you and your guests are guaranteed to love. Fast turn-around time, professional printing, premium card stock, custom design work (choose from 1000′s of fonts and colors, any size or shape layout/design you want) and amazing envelopes.
To see more from PAPERMADE INVITES check out Lindsey’s website or Etsy page!
hi i hope this is the right place to ask questions!! My fiance and have both been married before (no Children) we are having a private ceremony and a reception that we want to invite all of our friends and family to…i just have no idea how we would word this!! We will be hosting the event and no parents on the invite! Please help!
thank you
Vanessa :0)
Hello Vanessa. Here are a few options below. Contact me if you need more help or some designed for you. Thanks!
We will be married in a private wedding ceremony on
Saturday, the fourth of
October
two thousand twelve
Please come celebrate with us
at six o’clock in the evening
Beacon Hill
4848 East Wellesley Avenue
Spokane, WA 99217
Vanessa Dean and Thomas Singer
OR
Soon we will be joining together all the hopes for the future and our lives
Please join us as we spend
the first day of our life together
on Sunday, the sixth of April
two thousand eighteen
at eleven-thirty in the morning
Beacon Hill
4848 East Wellesley Avenue
Spokane, WA 99217
Vanessa Dean and Thomas Singer
I have some more ideas too Vanessa…so send me a message and we will talk. Thanks!
Yes I have a quick question. I’ve been trying to figure out wording for wedding invites. We have both never been married and have 3 children together. Parents will be hosting the event and we both have divorced (now remarried parents) and my biological father has since past away but i would like to include him. I just feel listing all the name is to much. Thanks for your help.
With joyful hearts
the Taylors and the Macaulay’s
and the Smiths and the late Tom Edwards
together with their grandchildren
Samantha, Steven and Felicia
invite you to witness our unity
in love and commitment
Jennifer Ann
and
Michael Alexander
on Saturday, July fifth
two thousand and twelve
at half past five o’clock in the evening
Camden Ranch
Elk, Washington
You could also say something like:
together with their parents and their children…
Let me know if you need anymore ideas…I have a bunch! Cheers.
Lindsey
Hi, I am wondering if you can help me with wording for my invitations. There are three sets of parents, and two sets have contributed some money to the wedding. But I think all three should be named in someway. The only problem is 2 sets of the parents have been remarried, but all have different last names. Suggestions?
Hello there. I have some ideas…but could use more details. Whose parents are divorced…and whose parents are paying? For the ones not paying, you can include their names below yours?
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathon Taylor
and Mr. and Mrs. James Fletcher
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Lindsey Fletcher
to
Michael Gibbs
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Gibbs
and Mr. and Mrs. Wade Brentley
on Saturday, the fourth day of August
two thousand and twelve
at half past six o’clock in the evening
Beacon Hill
4848 East Wellesley Avenue
Spokane, WA 99217
That is just one idea…I have some more. Is it a formal affair? Send me a message and we will talk more. Thanks!
Lindsey
I have three children from a previous marriage. My fiance does not have children. We are paying for everything. I was thinking about having my children invite guests… thoughts???
Emma, Gavin and Chloe request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their mother Stacia Christen to Joshua David Turner…. etc…
I wouldn’t mind making it more playful, but we also want to keep some tradition.
Oh, that is so sweet! I love that idea of the kids inviting.
Here is one idea, if you want some more…shoot me an email:
Through marriage we are given
the gift of a new beginning,
a new family and a new life
We, Stacia and Joshua
along with
Emma, Gavin and Chloe
invite you to witness
our beautiful beginnings
on Sunday, the fifth day of January
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Camden Ranch
Elk, Washington
Hi Lindsey,
I am beyond lost on how to do invites for our non traditional wedding day. For our ceremony, we are having only a small group of 32 people join us at 3pm for our vows on a beach. Following that, we are having a BBQ reception in our backyard and inviting many more people to come celebrate with us. The reception itself is casual as we would like people to feel free to arrive and depart as they wish. Myself and my fiance will be arriving after we get pictures taken. We will be having a pig roast for dinner, with all the fixings and all alchohol provided by us. Music and dancing all night as well.
My main question is, how do I word invitations so that I can identify those who are invited to the ceremony and those who are only invited to the reception? Should we make two differnt invites for each group of people? Any help is greatly appreciated!
I am having a wedding and only want adults there. How do I word that it is for adults only without making it sound bad?
Hi Lindsey;
My fiance and I are having a slightly unique wedding. We are having a sunrise ceremony followed by a breakfast reception and then later on in the evening we will be dancing the night away. Could you please provide insight on some useful phrasing that won’t turn people off to the long day ahead and can also alert people to our preference of having the day be for the adults only?
Also in the big gap in the middle of the day guests would be free to do as they please, but could also choose to possibly do some fun activities with the new Mr & Mrs Fullmer. Any helpful words of wisdom on how to conduct ourselves for this unique and special day?
Thanks a bunch!
=)
Hi Lindsey,
I have a question too. My parents are divorced (different last names). His parents are contributing financially, as well as my grandmother. We don’t really want to do together with their families, but it seems like a little much with 4 lines of “hosts”. What would you recommend for wording? Do you think it would be ok to honor my grandmother in the program instead? Is it an etiquette rule that if we listed his parents name after ours, than it would imply that they didn’t pay?? Thanks!!
Hi !
How would I word a shower invitation to say no gift wrap in a cute way.
Also, when we plan for a baby, we won’t find out the sex, I’d rather people not get me all those green and yellow clothes but pitch in for larger items or get bottles and plain onesies and such, how could we word that on a shower invite? Inappropriate? Would word of mouth be better?
Thanks! Devanie
Hello!
We are getting married in MN, but live in Alaska….how would we tell our guests that we would prefer gift cards over gifts because it would be crazy to try and get them all back to Alaska. Any funny, cute ways to say that??
Hi Lindsey!
I love your ideas and the fact you help out so many people with their individual situations!
Ours happens to be that we have been together for almost ten years and now have two children together. (Long time coming! haha!) My parents are paying for pretty much everything – all the biggest expenses, with a contribution from us, and a small contribution from my fiance’s parents.
It is an outdoor ceremony at 5PM with both cocktail hour and reception to follow indoors on site.
I have been struggling with how to best word the invitations and coming across this site has given me some hope!
Thanks in advance for any way you can help
)
Warmest Regards – Ashley
Would you please send me more wording examples for RSVP cards? We are looking for a way to make sure guests understand that they may not bring additional guests. Hmmm…
Thank you!