Marked Event - Wording Wedding Invitation

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 a formal 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 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."

• Typically the time of your event should be spelled out. If your event is before noon it is considered the morning. If the time is after noon and before 5:00 p.m., it is considered the afternoon. If the time is after 5:00 p.m. it is considered the evening. It is acceptable to refer to 5:00 as the afternoon or evening. If the time falls on a half hour, the proper way to word it is "half after four o'clock."

• Zip codes are typically left off of wedding invitations and reception cards when specifying the address of an event location.

Couple Hosting

Julie Lilian
and
Douglas Day
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday, the sixteenth of November
two thousand and ten
at three o'clock in the afternoon
All Saints Church
Paola, KS

Couple and Families Hosting

Together with our families
Sheri Corino
and
Dallas Metcalf
request the honour of your presence
at our marriage
on Saturday, the first of January
two thousand and ten
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Christ the King
Winter Park, FL

Groom's Parents' Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kelby
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Sarah Miller
to their son
Scott Kelby
on Saturday, the first of January
two thousand and ten
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Dunwoody Luthern
Atlanta, GA

Bride's Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mattingly
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Dr. Michelle Mattinlgy
to
Kevin Murphy
on Saturday, the first of January
two thousand and ten
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St. Mary's
Lexington, KY

Bride & Groom's Parents Inviting

The families of
Suzanne Elizabeth Carter
and
Charles Michael Karcher
invite you to join in the celebration
of their marriage
Saturday, September twelth,
two thousand and three
at six o'clock in the evening
The Rose Garden
2358 Grindstead Drive
Louisville, Ky
Reception immediately following ceremony

Deceased Parents

Mr. John Miller
and the late
Mrs. Patrica Millier
request the honour of your
presence at their marriage
on Saturday, the second of February
two thousand and five
The Olde Pink House
903 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia

Divorced Parents (Brides Parents)

Mrs. Carolyn Monica Anderson
and
Mr. Stephen Lloyd Anderson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Samantha Anna Anderson
to
Eric Mathew Loyal
on Saturday, April seventh
at six o'clock in the evening
Greenville Country Club
Greenville, South Carolina

Divorced Parents (Brides and Groom's Parents)

Mr.Ed Phillips and Ms. Maya Phillips
and
Mr. Jim Price and Ms. Susan Price
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Kelly Phillips
and
Samual Price
on Sunday, the eleventh of May
two thousand and two
at ten o'clock in the morning
St. Mary's Catolic Church
Chicago, Illinois

Divorced Parents (Brides Parents) Father

Mr. and Mrs. John Watkins
requests the honour of your
presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Angela Mary Watkins
to
Owen Marks
on January the twenty-sixth
two thousand and three
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Hotel Victor
Miami, Florida

Divorced Parents (Brides Parents) Mother

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stansbury
request the honour of your
presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Karen Lynn Smith
to
Anthony Phillip Frances
on November second
two thousand and three
at six o'clock in the evening
St. Mark's Church
Olathe, Kansas

Reception Only Invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Frances
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding reception of their daughter
Suzanne Dodge
and
Jonathan Michael Murphy
Saturday, the twenty sixth day
of May
at six o’clock
Dunwoody Country Club
Dunwoody, Georgia