Although the rules for writing and designing proper wedding invitations have loosened in the last decade, there are still tried and true traditions and guidelines that are important to remember – especially if you’re hosting a formal wedding event.
What names should appear on the wedding invitation?
Wedding invites should be issued by the host(s), with each name spelled out to include title and middle name. Doctor is spelled out and Mr./Mrs. appear as is. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey vs. Doctor and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey.
Of course, life is not always so simple. In the case of divorce, remarriage, death, what have you, the following tips from Crane&Co. will help.
Both my parents are medical doctors.
The Doctors McVey
My mother is a medical doctor, but not my father.
Use their social titles: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey
My mother kept her maiden name.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey; alternatively:
Mrs. Jane Eleanor Smith
and
Mr. Joseph Matthew McVey
My parents are separated.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey
My parents are divorced.
Mrs. Jane Eleanor Smith
and
Mr. Joseph Matthew McVey
My parent is a widow.
Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey, or Mr. Joseph Matthew McVey
My parents are remarried.
In most cases, the stepparents name is not used. However, if you are close to your stepparents, you may indicate them on the invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walter Haake
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey
request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Mae McVey
One of my parents is deceased and the other has not remarried.
Only include the name of the living parent; if it is your mother, use her married name, Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey. If it is your father, use his full name.
Both my parents are deceased.
Miss Anna Mae McVey
and
Mr. Michael Wyatt Carson
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
My fiance’s parents are hosting the wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Walter Carson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Anna Mae McVey
to
their son
Mr. Michael Wyatt Carson
How do I list time and date on the wedding invitation?
Spell out the date and year:
On Saturday the Nineteenth of May
two thousand sixteen
half after four
How do I list the location on the wedding invite?
Our Lady of Grace Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota
What about the RSVP?
RSVP is only used on a wedding/reception invite, or a reception-only invite. Do not include it in wedding-only invitations. An RSVP on its own means replies should be sent to the address from which the invite came. If you want the RSVP to go to a different address, add the address below the RSVP. If you are including a stamped reply card, you do not need to print RSVP on your invitation.
How do I address my invitation envelopes?
- Always hand address your envelopes; do not use mailing labels.
- Address the invitation to both members of a married couple; if the couple is not married, address both names connected by “and.”
- If children are invited, write their names below the names of their parents: Mr. and Mrs. Smith / Sarah Smith / James Smith
- If the children are over 18 and living with their parents, address a separate invitation. (If two or more children over the age of 18 are living in the home, one invitation for both will do: Miss Charlotte Smith / Mrs. James Smith; The Messrs. Smith; The Misses Smith.
When should I send out my wedding invitations?
Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent six to eight weeks before the wedding. If you are hosting a destination wedding, you may want to consider sending your wedding invitations three months in advance.