Anatomy of an Invitation
The wording on your invitation should correspond with the formality and style of your wedding. From formal to casual, the wording should reflect the formality and tone you’d like to set. Every wedding invitation should include these elements: host{s}, couple getting married, time, date and location. Be inspired! Choose wording that complements your situation, style and spirit of your wedding.
Tips
Check with your officiant for style specifics but traditionally—if a couple marries in a house of worship, the request line wording reads “request the honor”
Words, dates and numbers are typically spelled out, and the only abbreviations are Mr. and Mrs.
Punctuation is typically found only in the time, date or in the location.
If the bride’s parents are hosting and the daughter shares their last name, it can be omitted from the invitation.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson {inviting hosts}
request the honour of your presence {request line}
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn {bride}
to
Mr. John Michael Smith {groom}
Saturday, the twenty-third of July {date}
two thousand thirteen {year}
at five o’clock {time}
Grace Fellowship Church {location}
Osceola, Wisconsin {city & state}
Every family dynamic and host situation is unique.
Find and choose the scenario that best matches your situation from the list below.
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
on Saturday, the seventh of July
two thousand thirteen
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Less Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Anna Evelyn Johnson
to their son
Mr. John Michael
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at four o’clock in the afternoon
St. Paul’s Church
46 Main Street
Butler, Kentucky
Less Formal
Mr. and Mrs. George Jacob Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Anna Evelyn Johnson
to their son
John Michael
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at four o’clock in the afternoon
St. Paul’s Church
46 Main Street
Butler, Kentucky
Including Groom’s Parents
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
son of
Mr. and Mrs. George Jacob Smith
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Less Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
invite you to share in the joy
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
son of
Mr. and Mrs. George Jacob Smith
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Formal
Anna Evelyn Johnson
and
John Michael Smith
request the honor of your presence
as they unite in marriage
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at four o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Less Formal
The pleasure of your company is requested
at the marriage celebration of
Robin Johnson
and
John Smith
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at four o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
and
Mr. and Mrs. George Jacob Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Anna
to
John
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Both Sets of Parents + Bride & Groom
Formal
Together with their families
Anna Evelyn Johnson
and
John Michael Smith
request the honor of your presence
as they unite in marriage
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Less Formal
Along with their parents
Anna Evelyn Johnson
and
John Michael Smith
Invite you to celebrate their wedding
on Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Divorced Parents of Bride
Formal
Ms. Patricia Ann Johnson
and
Mr. Robert Allen Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
on Saturday, twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Less Formal
Patricia Johnson
and
Robert Johnson
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding celebration of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
twenty-third of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Rochester, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Korman
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage
of Mrs. Korman’s daughter
Anna Johnson
to
John Smith
on Saturday, the seventh of July
two thousand thirteen
at four o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Brighton, New York
Both sets Divorced, Bride and Groom
Together with their families
Anna Johnson
and
Paul Benson
on Saturday, the seventh of July
Two thousand thirteen
at 6:30 in the evening
Golden Hills Country Club
Brighton, New York
Bride’s Mother and Groom’s Parents {divorced, both remarried}
Mrs. Colleen Marie Johnson
and
Mr. George Smith and Mrs. Janelle Smith Baker
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael
on Saturday, the seventh of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Christ Lutheran
Brighton, New York
Bride’s Parents divorced, both remarried
Formal
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Johnson
and
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Andrew Blakely
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
on Saturday, the seventh of July
two thousand thirteen
at six o’clock
Christ Lutheran
Brighton, New York
Less Formal
Robert and Elizabeth Johnson
and
Colleen and Neil Blakely
Invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn Johnson
to
John Michael Smith
at 6:30 in the evening
Golden Hills Country Club
Brighton, New York
Mr. John Holmes
husband of the late Margaret Holmes
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
John Michael Smith
Friday, the seventeenth of July
two thousand and thirteen
at six o’clock
Northbrook Church
Jackson, South Dakota
Bride & Groom: Widowed Mother, Groom’s parents included
Anna Evelyn Johnson
daughter of
Robert and Colleen Johnson, in blessed memory
and
John Michael Smith
son of
Mr. and Mrs. George Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
Friday, the seventeenth of July
two thousand and thirteen
at six o’clock
Northbrook Church
Jackson, South Dakota
Mr. Richard and Mrs. Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Anna Evelyn
to
Paul Neil Benson
and
Sophia Marie
to
Jacob Joel Mayer
on Saturday, the seventh of July
two thousand and thirteen
at 6 o’clock
Grace Hope Church
Duluth, Minnesota
Military Titles for Invitations
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carl Johnson
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
Lieutenant Paul Neil Benson
United States Navy
on Saturday, the seventh of July
at 6 o’clock
Northbrook Church
Brighton, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carl Johnson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
Paul Neil Benson
United States Marine Corps
on Saturday, the seventh of July
at 6 o’clock
Northbrook Church
Brighton, New York
Major and Mrs. Richard Carl Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
Captain Paul Neil Benson
United States Army
on Saturday, the seventh of July
at 6 o’clock
Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel
Brighton, New York
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carl Johnson
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
Captain, United States Army
to
Paul Neil Benson
on Saturday, the seventh of July
at 6 o’clock
Northbrook Church
Brighton, New York
Tips
Check with military branch for specifics on protocol for: attire, décor, seating, traditions & terminology.
The chaplain is a good resource.
Even if retired, higher ranking officers still use their titles.
Army, Navy, Marines—if rank is captain or higher, title appears with name.
Navy—if rank is lieutenant second grade or higher, title appears with name.
First and Second Lieutenants—simply use Lieutenant.
Lower ranks (Enlisted Personnel)—title appears below their name.
Reserve officers on active duty—United States Naval Reserve or Army of the United States should appear below their name.
next to a design to add it to your favorites.
Save the Dates
Wedding Invitations
Wedding Programs
Wedding Favors
Thank You Cards
Bridal Shower Invitations