Wedding Invitation Wording for Parents and Hosts

The host line on a wedding invitation tells guests who is inviting them and, traditionally, who is paying. In the UK, the most common wording starts with the hosts' names, for example: "Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter..." But you do not need to follow tradition. Many couples host their own wedding, and the wording simply starts with their own names.

If both sets of parents are hosting, you can list all four names together. For example: "Mr and Mrs Patel and Mr and Mrs Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children..." If the parents are divorced, you have several options. You can list each parent with their new partner, use "together with their families", or keep it simple with just the couple's names.

If the groom's parents are hosting, the wording is the same as for the bride's parents, just with the groom's parents' names. For example: "Mr and Mrs Brown request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son, James, to Emily..." If there are no parents involved, the couple hosts. The invitation can read: "Emily Smith and James Brown request the pleasure of your company at their marriage..." or "Together with their families, Emily and James invite you to celebrate their marriage."

A formal invitation uses full names, titles, and traditional phrasing. It often includes the hosts' names, the couple's full names, the venue, the date, and the time. For example: "Mr and Mrs John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Emily Rose, to Mr James Brown, son of Mr and Mrs David Brown, at..." Formal invitations are usually printed in a classic style and sent by post.

An informal invitation is more relaxed. You can use first names, shorter sentences, and a friendlier tone. For example: "Emily and James are getting married! Please join us for the ceremony and party on Saturday 14 June at..." You can also add a line like "No gifts, just your presence" or "Your presence is the only present we need." Informal invitations are often sent by email or through a wedding website, but they can also be printed.

Remember, the wording should match the style of your wedding. If you are having a relaxed garden party, an informal invitation feels right. If you are having a black-tie evening at a grand venue, a formal invitation sets the tone.

When parents are divorced, you need to be careful with names and titles. You can list each parent separately, using their current names. For example: "Mr John Smith and Ms Sarah Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Emily..." If a parent has remarried, you might include their new partner: "Mr John Smith and Mrs Helen Smith, and Ms Sarah Jones and Mr Peter Jones, request..." Or you can avoid listing everyone by using "together with their families" or simply the couple's names.

If stepparents are involved, you can include them in the host line. For example: "Mr John Smith and Mrs Helen Smith, and Mr Peter Jones and Ms Sarah Jones, request..." You can also use a more inclusive phrase like "Emily, daughter of Sarah and John, and stepdaughter of Peter and Helen, together with her parents, invite you..." The key is to be clear and respectful to everyone. If you are unsure, ask each parent how they would like to be named. Some parents prefer to be listed as "Mr John Smith" without a partner, while others want to include their new spouse.

Grandparents who are hosting can be included in the same way. For example: "Mr and Mrs Thomas invite you to the marriage of their granddaughter, Emily..." If both sets of grandparents are hosting, list them all. If the couple is hosting but wants to honour their parents, you can add a line like "with the blessing of their parents" or "together with their families."

Evening invitations are for guests who join you after the ceremony and wedding breakfast, usually for the evening party. The wording should make it clear that it is an evening event. For example: "Join us for drinks, dinner, and dancing to celebrate the marriage of Emily and James. 7pm until late." You can also say "Evening reception" or "Evening celebration." The invitation should include the venue, the time, and a line like "Reception only" if no ceremony is included.

Reception-only invitations are similar. They are for guests who are invited to the wedding breakfast or the evening party but not the ceremony. The wording might read: "Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception of their daughter, Emily, and Mr James Brown. 3pm at..." Or for an evening reception: "Please join us for an evening of celebration to mark the marriage of Emily and James. 7pm at..."

Send evening invitations earlier than you might think. While day invitations usually go out six to eight weeks before, evening invitations can be sent four to six weeks before. But if you have many guests travelling, send them earlier. The key is to give guests enough notice to arrange childcare or travel. You can also include a separate evening invitation with your day invitation, or send them separately. Some couples send a save-the-date to all guests, then a day invitation and a separate evening invitation. The wording should be clear about who is invited to which part of the day.

When you write the host line, use the names exactly as they want to appear. For married couples, use "Mr and Mrs John Smith" or "Mr John and Mrs Jane Smith." For unmarried couples, list them on separate lines. For same-sex couples, use the same conventions. If you are unsure, ask.

For the date and time, write them out in full for formal invitations: "Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand and twenty-five, at three o'clock in the afternoon." For informal invitations, you can use numbers: "Saturday 14 June 2025, 3pm."

Include the venue address, and if the ceremony and reception are in different places, include both with clear directions. Add an RSVP line with a date, and if you have a wedding website, include the address. You can also add a line about dress code, such as "Black tie" or "Garden party attire." Keep the wording clear and warm. If you are having a humanist or non-religious ceremony, you can say "ceremony and celebration" instead of "marriage."