In days past, all wedding correspondence was written in a very formal language and usually completed by the bride's mother. Times have certainly changed, but etiquette should still be of utmost importance. When you are writing your wedding invitations, keep the following tips in mind:

1. The very first names your guests should see on the invitation are of the people who are paying for the wedding. In following tradition, it's usually the bride's parents. Many of today's weddings however, are now hosted by the bride and groom. Whoever is hosting, this will be the first names on the invitation.

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Carson or Vicki and Michael Carson
Bride and Groom: Ms. Kim Clarkson and Mr. Jack Wright or Together with their families, Kim Clarkson and Jack Wright

2. The next line of the invitation should request your guest to come to the wedding. The wording will be different if the wedding is held at a church than if it is held at a home or other type of location.

For a place of worship: Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter.
For other location: Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter.

For weddings hosted by the bride and groom, the request line should read:
Invite you to join us at the celebration of our marriage.

3. Traditional etiquettes states that the bride should be listed first, but only with her first and middle name. The groom should be listed next, with the title, first, middle, and last name.

Brittany Michelle
To
Mr. Anthony Marcus Hall

An exception worth noting is that some Jewish couple may prefer to use "and" instead of "to."

4. Next will come the date and time. Once again, tradition dictates these are spelled out fully, including the year.

Sunday, the second of June
two thousand and eight
at half after six o'clock in the evening

5. How the location is displayed will depend upon whether it is well known or not. If it is at a large, traditional venue, such as a prominent church, no address will be needed. However, if it held at a home or at a somewhat unknown location, the address should be given.

The Nelson Art Gallery
Kansas City, Missouri

or

The Masonic Lodge #214
439 Main Street
Corrington, GA

6. If your wedding will be followed by a reception, let your guests know. It is acceptable to include the details of the reception on the wedding invitation or on another reply card.

If you are including it on the invitation, it should read: Reception to follow at the Greenbrace County Club

7. If you are not including a full meal for the reception, you might want to let your guests know this as well. Simply including "and afterwards for cocktails and cake in the Birch Room" will suffice.

8. If your wedding and the reception will be in two different locations, or the reception will not commence until later in the day, your separate reception card might read:

Reception
7 o'clock

Westin Crown Center Hotel
564 West Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri

9. In days past, RSVP was normally written on the bottom of the wedding invitation and most guests knew to reply on their personal stationary. However, nowadays, more couples seem to have better luck if they include a separate card. The card can simply state, "The favor of a reply is requested before the fifteenth of May."

10. Some couples prefer to list attire information on their invitations. While the strictest of etiquette would state not to include this invitation, the current tide leans toward something as simple as black tie, cocktail attire, semi-formal, dressy causal, or informal. Other couples prefer no children attend their reception. Instead of writing "No Children" it's now common practice to put "Adult Reception."

Following the above tips will help your wedding invitations convey your request for a guest to attend, with dignity and style.