How you word your invitation can tell the guest a lot about the wedding. The first line tells everyone who is hosting the event, the bride and groom, the parents of the bride or the parents of the groom. The wording you select also can help set the “tone” of the wedding; you choose use very traditional wording, something fun and different or anything in between! For truly formal events, there are certain rules of etiquette that are observed when writing an invitation. For less formal situations you can be more creative. Here are some things to remember when you're composing an invitation:

• Write out names in full, including middle names. Omit a middle name if necessary, rather than using an initial.
• It's appropriate to use the British spelling for "honour" and "favour", unless you prefer to use the American spelling of these words.
• Spell out all words, including the hour, the date and the year. Spell out all words in the address, including Street, Road and Avenue. The two exceptions to this rule in an address are Saint (St.) and Mount (Mt.)
• Use Roman numerals in names, rather than "the third" or "3rd."
• For ceremonies taking place in a house of worship, use "request the honour of your presence." Ceremonies taking place in a non-religious setting should say, "request the pleasure of your company."

Below we show you some of the options we have used; also we can always help you choose the wording that’s best for your particular situation. (click on a link to see the proper wording)

Invitations issued by the Bride’s parents, Church Ceremony

Ceremony at Home of Friends

Mother or Father deceased, surviving parent has not remarried

Surviving parent has remarried

Second Marriages young divorcee or widow uses both maiden and married names

Bride and Groom issue own invitations

Invitations issued by a Family member (Brother or Sister)

Parents are divorced

• Invitation issued by bride's mother
• Invitation issued by both parents. Mother has remarried;
  father has not.
• Both of bride’s parents have remarried and invitations
  are issued by both sets of parents
• Both Bride and Groom’s parents issue invitation
• Both sets of parents are divorced. Both are issuing the invitation
• Bride's parents are issuing invitation. Groom's parents are being included
• Both sets of parents are divorced; Bride's parents are issuing invitation Groom's parents are being included