How to Write a Wedding Invitation

Send out invitations at least six weeks before the ceremony to give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements.

Instructions

STEP 1: Decide who is announcing the wedding - the couple's parents or the bride and groom themselves.

STEP 2: Determine if your invitation will be formal or informal. You can say 'Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Melendy request the honor of your presence' or use a more casual phrase like 'please join us.'

STEP 3: In general, use the term 'the honor of your presence' if the ceremony will be held in a place of worship. Otherwise use 'the pleasure of your company' or another less formal phrase.

STEP 4: For a traditional invitation, list the bride's name - usually first and middle - after her parents' names. For example, 'Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Melendy request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Wendy Sue.'

STEP 5: Follow the bride's name with the full name of the groom: 'to John Jacob Williams.' You may choose to name the groom's parents: 'son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williams.'

STEP 6: Write out the date: 'Friday, the ninth of June, two thousand one.'

STEP 7: Mention the time of the ceremony: 'at ten o'clock.'

STEP 8: List the location and full address.

STEP 9: Enclose a separate map and a stamped, self-addressed reply card.

Tips & Warnings

--Invitations to a small or informal wedding are usually handwritten, not engraved. In designing them, feel free to use your imagination.
--Include all the guests' names on the envelope. Avoid impersonal terms such as 'and family.'
--If you want to depart from the traditional wording, consult your stationer for ideas - or look at wedding invitations you've received, and and decide which ones you like best.

 

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