The Wedding Wording Guide
We put together a variety of examples and frequently asked etiquette questions to help you write your invitation wording.
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Should I use "honor" or "honour"?
Honour is the British spelling of honor. It is traditionally used for formal wedding invitations when the ceremony is held in a church or place of worship. Be aware that honour will come up in spell check as misspelled!
What time of day do you use "afternoon" vs. "evening"?
Morning: 5am - 11:59am
Noon: 12pm - 1pm
Afternoon: 1pm - 5:59pm
Evening: 6pm - 8:30pm
How do I convey who is hosting the wedding?
The host's name usually is listed first on the invitation. I included notes about who is hosting for each example below.
Main Invitation Card Examples:
-
Example One
- Religious ceremony
- Bride's parents are hosting.
- Black Tie Attire.
Dr. and Mrs. Kevin S. Daniels
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Collins
to Andrew Burke Henry
Saturday, the third day of August
two thousand thirteen
at half past three o'clock in the afternoon
Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Church
Winnetka, Illinois
Black Tie -
Example Two
- Catholic ceremony & mass.
- Bride's parents are hosting.
Mr. and Mrs. John N. Simons
request the honour of your presence
at the nuptial mass uniting their daughter
Samantha Rose
to
James Thomas
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Reidy
in the sacrament of holy matrimony
Saturday, the tenth of February
Two thousand eighteen
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Saint Clement Church
642 West Deming Place, Chicago, Illinois -
Example Three
- Non religious ceremony.
- Hosted by the Bride's parents.
- Groom's parents are divorced.
- Reception and ceremony are at the same location.
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Edwin Beal
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Nicole
to
Michael Allen
son of Mr. Thomas Allen West
& Ms. Joan Hinkes West
Sunday, the eighteenth of May
Two thousand and fourteen
at five o’clock in the afternoon
The Redfield Estate
Glenview, Illinois
Reception Immediately to Follow
-
Example Four
- Religious ceremony
- Hosted by both the Bride's and Groom's parents.
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey William Edwards and
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin James Edgeworth
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Sarah Lynn
and
Francis Anthony
Saturday, the ninth of November
Two thousand and thirteen
at half past three o’clock in the afternoon
Trinity Lutheran Church
3637 Golf Road, Evanston, Illinois -
Example Five
- Religious ceremony
- Hosted by the Bride and Groom or their families together
Together with their families
Elizabeth Anne Henricks
and
David Andrew Henderson
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday the twenty-first of June
Two thousand and fourteen
at two o'clock in the afternoon
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Glenview, Illinois
Reception Card Examples:
-
Example One
Please join us for
Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing
at six o'clock in the evening
The Drake Hotel
140 East Walton Place
Chicago, Illinois -
Example Two
Dinner and Dancing
immediately following
The Miller Residence
3 Fox Lane, Winnetka, Illinois -
Example Three
Reception immediately following the ceremony
Milwaukee Country Club
River Hills, Wisconsin
Response Card Examples:
-
Example One
Kindly respond by the twentieth of May
M ________________________
__ accepts with pleasure
__ declines with regret -
Example Two
Kindly respond by the first of June
M ________________________
____ accepts with pleasure
____ declines with regretPlease initial your choice of entrée:
____ beef
____ salmon
____ vegetarian -
Example Three
Kindly respond by the twentieth of May
M ________________________
Please indicate the number attending:
__ Welcome party on Friday
__ Wedding on Saturday
__ Brunch on Sunday
__ Unable to attend all events
Information Card Examples:
-
Welcome, Brunch & Website Card
Welcome Party
Miller's Dockside Bar and Grill
220 Harbor Drive, Boca Grande, Florida
Six thirty in the evening
Friday, December 15th
Hosted by Connor's parents
Farewell Brunch
BZ's in the Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Avenue, Boca Grande, Florida
Nine to eleven o'clock in the morning
Sunday, December 17th
Hosted by Connor's aunts
For more information and accommodations please visit:
www.weddingwesbite.com -
Accommodations, Transportation & Website Card
Accommodations
For your convenience, a block of hotel rooms have been reserved at:
The Deer Path Inn
255 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, (847) 234-2280The Westin Chicago North Shore
601 Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, Illinois, (847) 777-6500Please mention the Novak/Stuart wedding when making your reservations.
Transportation
Shuttles will be provided from The Westin to the ceremony and back to The Westin at the end of the night.Please refer to our website for details
www.weddingwesbite.com -
Short & Sweet Website Card
For more details
www.weddingwebsite.com
