Invitation Wording

Basic Invitation Information

Before you worry about your invitation wording, you have to make sure you have all of the correct information together that should be included on a party invite. However you arrange it, all invitations should provide the following information:

• Date and time of the party - Well, duh, you say. Sure, this one is obvious, but sometimes the most obvious things are the ones easiest overlooked. Having an “end” time to your party included on the invitation is usually appreciated by guests, so they don’t have to fret about wearing out their welcome, and will be appreciated by you if you’re having the party in your home, and your guest are the type who would never fret about wearing out their welcome. Are you having a party in hall or banquet room that you are renting for a specific and short amount of time? Don’t be afraid to include a brief, polite note telling your friends that being prompt is the new fashionably late. It’s no use having everyone turn up when you have 15 minutes left in the room.

• What type of party it is – Birthday party, dinner party, Bar Mitzvah…This info lets guests know if they need to come bearing gifts. This information is also vitally important if the party is a surprise party.

• Dress code – If it’s not obvious, then spell it out. No one wants to turn up to a black tie party in jeans and a t-shirt – vice versa for that matter.

• Directions – Spare yourself countless phone calls from your friends and family, and print up a little map to the party location. The map can either be included on the invitation itself or on a separate piece of paper in the same envelope.

• How to let you know if they are coming or not – If you only want to hear the “no” answers, then specify “regrets only”. If you want to hear from everyone, then include R.S.V.P. on the invitation and your preferred method of contact. If you need to hear a response by a certain date, say so.

Wedding Invitation Wording

The wording on wedding invitations should reflect who is hosting the wedding. With divorces, second weddings, and older brides and grooms paying for their own wedding, the traditional invitation wording is out the window. Here are a few examples to help you word your invitation correctly for your situation:

Traditional Invitation

By traditional, I mean that the bride’s parents, who are not divorced, are paying for the wedding. The invitation should read:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence at the wedding of (daughter’s full name) to (husband to be’s full name).

The groom’s family may be included after the groom’s name – son of Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

Of course, if it is the groom’s parents paying, these should be flip flopped.

Divorced Parents

If the bride’s parents are divorced, and one parent is paying for the wedding alone, the invitation should read:

Mrs. (or Mr.) Smith request the honor…

If the bride’s divorced parents are sharing the cost, the invitation should read:

Mr. Smith and Ms. Smith request the honor…

Again, follow the same rules if the groom’s parents are paying.

Remarried Parents

If the parents hosting the wedding are remarried, and the bride or groom is the stepchild of one parent, the invitation should read:

Mr. and Mrs. Jones request the honor of your presence at the wedding of Mrs. Jones’ daughter, Jane Smith.

If both parents are remarried, and both sets of remarried parents are hosting the wedding, go for:

Mr. and Mrs Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence at the wedding of Mr. Smith and Mrs. Jones’ daughter.

Bride and Groom

If the bride and groom are paying for the wedding, than the invitation should say their names:

Jane Smith and Jack Jones request the honor of your presence at their wedding.

Parties in Restaurants and Bars

If you are having a party in a restaurant or bar, you need to include something on your invitation to let your guests know whether or not you’ll be springing for all the food and drinks, or if they are on their own. If you will be buying, then this is easily expressed by simply adding a line “open bar” or “dinner and drinks will be provided.” If you’re not, that’s where it gets a little trickier.

If you will be providing snacks, but not paying for people to have meals or alcoholic beverages, then you should say:

Snacks and light refreshments provided.

Cash bar.

If you won’t be paying for anything, the invitation should say:

X Restaurant has a full menu available.

Drinks available at the bar.

Things to Keep in Mind

When you’re writing an invitation, remember, the more information, the better. Think about what you would want to know as a guest and then provide that information to your own guests!