WORDING AND ETIQUETTE
Helping you through the minefield of wedding stationery etiquette
HOST LINE
This is the line that typically denotes who is hosting, or picking up the tab for the bulk of the wedding. Traditionally, this was the bride’s parents. It has become increasingly more common for couples to pay for their own wedding, or for the respective parents to equally share in the cost. All families are different. Factors, such as whether the host(s) are married, divorced or remarried can affect how this portion of the invitation is worded. Other considerations include deceased parent(s) and same sex marriage. If you’d like some guidance in this matter, please contact us for wording suggestions.
REQUEST LINES
The request line usually indicates where the wedding will be held. Honour of your presence indicates a ceremony held in a house of worship / The pleasure of your company indicates the ceremony is taking place at a secular location. When both sets of the couple's parents are hosting, this line would specify "at the marriage of their children."
BRIDE AND GROOM / BRIDE AND BRIDE / GROOM AND GROOM LINES
A bride always precedes a groom. If their parents are hosting then their son or daughter will be referred to by their first and middle names only. The groom is referred to by their first, middle and last name.
DATE AND TIME LINES
The day of the week usually precedes the date. Only the day of the week and the month are capitalised. Everything is written out in full, numbers are not used. Traditionally the first letter of the year is capitalized. No portion of the time line is ever capitalised. Time of day is spelled out using o’clock or half after xx o’clock. Evening begins at five o’clock, otherwise it is considered afternoon from noon until four o’clock.
LOCATION LINES
The street address is not usually necessary, unless the event is taking place at a private home or unlisted address. If it is included, street/avenue/road should be written out in full. City/town and county should always be written out with no abbreviations.
RECEPTION LINES
Especially formal or traditional invitations include this information on a separate card. Otherwise, the reception information can be included on the invitation if there is room. If the ceremony and reception will take place at the same location, you may print "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following." When the reception is held elsewhere, the location goes on a second line.
RSVP LINE
This should be written out in full in accordance with the above format.
A NOTE ABOUT CAPITALISATION
Aside from proper nouns, only the day of the week, month and first letter of the year should be capitalised. More often, the first letter of the reception line is also being capitalised, though traditionally it is not.
For further information on wording and etiquette, We suggest visiting the Debrett's website.