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Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Wedding invitation etiquette and wording can be a proverbial minefield nowadays thanks to largely outdated conventions and traditions that are not always appropriate in the world that we live in today. A traditional, formally worded wedding invitation may not suit your personality or the style of your wedding. I am a firm believer that convention should only be followed if you are a conventional couple, otherwise throw convention out of the window and do your wedding your way, with your own unique flair. However some wedding invitation etiquette is worth conserving:

• invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks prior to the event to give your guests ample time to respond
• whoever is hosting (paying for) the wedding should be mentioned first on the invitation (see the examples below)

 

Example Wedding Invitation Wording

 

Example 1 – Bride’s Parents Hosting, Formal:

Mr & Mrs John Alexander
have the honor of inviting you to attend
the wedding of

Jane Alice

&

William James Merchant

on the twenty first day of June, two thousand eleven
from 3 o’clock in the afternoon

St John’s Parish Church, Dalserf. Vancouver

a reception will follow immediately at:

The Corinthian Hotel, 1234 West Avenue
Dalserf. Vancouver

Example 2 – Both sets of Parents Hosting:

Mr & Mrs John Alexander
and
Mr & Mrs Jonathan Merchant

request the honor of your presence
at the wedding of their children

Jane Alice Alexander

&

William James Merchant

on the twenty first day of June, two thousand eleven
from 3 o’clock in the afternoon

St John’s Parish Church, Dalserf.Vancouver

a reception will follow immediately at:

The Corinthian Hotel, 1234 West Avenue
Dalserf. Vancouver

Example 3 – Bride and Groom Hosting:

Jane Alice Alexander

&

William James Merchant

have the pleasure of inviting you to join them
at their weding

on the twenty first day of June, two thousand eleven
from 3 o’clock in the afternoon

St John’s Parish Church, Dalserf. Vancouver

a reception will follow immediately at:

The Corinthian Hotel, 1234 West Avenue
Dalserf. Vancouver

Example 4 – Bride and Groom Hosting, Informal:

Jane Alexander and William Merchant invite you to our
wedding on the twenty first day of June 2011
at three o’clock in the afternoon.

Please join us as we celebrate our commitment
and exchange vows at St John’s Parish Church, Dalserf. Vancouver
A reception will follow immediately at
The Corinthian Hotel, 1234 West Avenue, Dalserf. Vancouver