Sand Scripts' Online Wedding Invitation Catalog
Wording and Social Etiquette Suggestions

  • You are welcome to use your own wording on your invitations, announcements and stationery accessories. If you wish to use one of the following, please retype the verse on your order form and customize it by using your information. What you order is what you will receive, so please be sure to proofread your order very carefully.
  • If you need wording assistance, please do not hesitate to ask us!

    • WEDDING INVITATIONS
    Generally Accepted Etiquette
    Standard

    Mr. and Mrs. Mark Reilly
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Lisa Marie
    to
    Mr. Michael Joseph Smith
    on Saturday, the sixteenth of November
    nineteen hundred and ninety-eight
    at two o'clock in the afternoon
    First Presbyterian Church
    1200 North Highland
    Joliet, Illinois
    		Nuptial High Mass

    Mr. and Mrs. Mark Reilly
    request the honour of your presence
    at the Nuptial High Mass
    at which their daughter
    Lisa Marie
    and Mr. Michael Joseph Smith
    will be united in the
    Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
    on Saturday, the sixteenth of November
    nineteen hundred and ninety-eight
    at two o'clock in the afternoon
    First Presbyterian Church
    1200 North Highland
    Joliet, Illinois
    Groom's parents - use "Miss" and bride's last name

    Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of
    Miss Gina Ann Stevenson
    to their son
    Mr. Joseph Matthew Smith....
    		Single Living Parent

    Mrs. John Smith
    requests the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of her daughter
    Gina Ann
    to
    Mr. Joseph Matthew Smith...
    Living Parent Remarried - bride's surname may also be used

    Mr. and Mrs. John Holt
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of her daughter (or Mrs. Holt's daughter)
    Gina Ann
    to
    Mr. Joseph Matthew Smith...
    		Invitation sent by an unmarried older brother or sister, grandparent, aunt or uncle, if married use Mr. and Mrs. Marc Smith

    Mr. Marc Smith
    requests the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of his sister (his nephew, their granddaughter...)
    Gina Ann...
    Divorced parent (single)

    Mrs. (or Mr.) John Smith
    requests the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of her daughter (or his daughter)
    Gina Ann...
    		Divorced Parent Remarried

    Mr. and Mrs. John Holt
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of her daughter (or Mrs. Holt's daughter, or his daughter or Mr. Holt's daughter)
    Gina Ann...
    Both remarried parents co-hosting

    Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (mother's name)
    and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Pope (father's name)
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of
    Alissa Margaret Pope...
    		Bride and Grooms parents co-hosting

    Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (mother's name)
    and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Pope (father's name)
    and
    Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Patrick Sagat
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their children
    Bride and Groom sending their own invitations

    Miss Kathleen Taylor
    and Mr. John Wilson
    request the honour of your presence
    at their marriage...
    		Divorced Parent Remarried

    Mr. and Mrs. John Holt
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of her daughter (or Mrs. Holt's daughter, or his daughter or Mr. Holt's daughter)
    Gina Ann...
    Double Weddings - brides are sisters

    Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ziffel
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughters
    Alanya Maeve (older bride)
    to
    Mr. Thaddeus Thorndike
    and
    Tracy Ann
    to
    Mr. Edgar Winters
    		Double Weddings - brides are not sisters

    Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ziffel
    and
    Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Pierce
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughters
    Alanya Maeve Ziffel (older bride)
    to
    Mr. Thaddeus Thorndike
    and
    Tracy Ann Pierce
    to
    Mr. Edgar Winters
    Second Marriages

  • young widow uses married name
  • young divorcee uses married name if still legal name or combo of maiden and married names
    		• Reaffirmation of vows

    The honour of your presence
    is requested at the reaffirmation
    of the wedding vows of
    Mr. and Mrs. Drew Xavier Forbes
    Invitation Recall

    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Smith
    regret that owing to illness in the family
    the invitation to
    their daughter's wedding
    on Saturday the eleventh of July
    must be canceled
    		 Invitation Recall

    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Smith
    are obliged to recall their invitations
    to the marriage of their daughter
    Mary Ann
    to
    Mr. Colin Christopher Rowland
    as the marriage will not take place
    MILITARY WEDDINGS
    Officers above Lieutenant have the title preceding the name

    Major and Mrs. Anthony Nelson
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Barbara Ann
    to
    Captain Douglas Michael Niedermeyer
    United States Army
    		 Junior Officers have title placed on the next line after their service branch

    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Smith
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Barbara Ann
    to
    Douglas Michael Niedermeyer
    First Lieutenant, United States Army
    Non-commissioned officers and privates

    Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Nelson
    request the honour of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Barbara Ann
    to
    Douglas Michael Niedermeyer
    United States Marine Corps
    		 Petty officers and seamen

    Stanley Adam Kowalski
    United States Navy

    Ensign and Higher Ranks

    Stanley Adam Kowalski
    Ensign, United States Navy
    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    be sure to arrange for someone to mail these on the date of the wedding
    never send them before the wedding
    Bride
    and
    Groom
    are pleased to announce
    their marriage
    on day, the date of month
    year
    place (city, state)
    Bride's Parents
    and
    Groom's Parents
    have the honour of announcing
    the marriage of
    on day, the date of month
    year
    place (city, state)
    NOTES
    TITLES

    Reverend, Doctor, Captain are not generally abbreviated unless there is a lack of space
    		 SUFFIXES

  • "Roman numerals (II, III...)", "Jr.", "Sr.", are preceded by a comma
  • "Jr." is capitalized, but "junior" is not capitalized when spelled out
    • "HONOR" vs. "HONOUR"
    Honor

    An event in behalf of a specific person, place or thing..."In honor of Bessie's retirement"
    		 Honour

    Presence requested of guests at an event..."The honour of your presence is requested"
    DATES
    Day

    day of the week and month is always capitalized, date is not
    on Saturday, the sixteenth of November
    		 Year

    first letter of year may or may not be capitalized
    "Two thousand and two" or
    "two thousand and three" or
    "Two thousand four"
    TIME
    hour or half hour

  • hour is not capitalized
  • hour is usually followed by o'clock for times on the hour
  • or hour-thirty or half past hour o'clock
    		•  following the hour

  • "a.m." or "p.m."
  • or write it out as follows
    before 12 pm - "in the morning"
    before 6 pm - "in the afternoon"
    after 6 pm - "in the evening"
    • NO GIFTS
  • In lieu of gifts, please offer your prayers on this special day
    		•
  • We sincerely look forward to spending our special day with you, please no gifts
  • Your presence is our gift
    		•
    CONTEMPORARY WORDING SUGGESTIONS
    remember to view the online invitation catalog images for additional wording suggestions
    With each believing the other to be
    a giver of love, a sharer of sorrow
    a bringer of joy and a reason for life
    ...bride's name...
    and
    ...groom's name...
    date...time...place
    Two lives, two hearts
    joined together in friendship
    united forever in love.
    It is with joy that we,
    ...bride's name...
    and
    ...groom's name...
    date...time...place
    The miracle of love is
    that love is given to us
    to give to one another
    ...bride's name...
    and
    ...groom's name..
    invite you to share
    a day of happiness
    as they begin a life of love
    date...time...place
    When I look in your eyes
    I delight in your being
    and when you take my hand
    I delight in our being together
    ...bride's name...
    and
    ...groom's name..
    date...time...place
    This day I will marry my best friend,
    the one I laugh with, live for, love
    ...bride's name...
    and
    ...groom's name..
    date...time...place
    Because you have shared in their lives
    by your friendship and love
    you are invited to share
    with our daughter, name
    and groom's name
    when they exchange marriage vows
    and begin their new life together
    date...time...place
    SAME GENDER MARRIAGES / COMMITMENT CEREMONIES
    Friends and Family
    Because you have shared in our lives
    through your friendship and love,
    we request the honor of your presence
    at our Commitment Ceremony
    beginning our life together
    date
    year
    time vows will be exchanged
    location
    city, state

    Name
    and
    Name

    Name
    and
    Name
    invite you to share
    in their union
    date
    year
    time
    location
    city, state
    RECEPTIONS HELD AT A LATER DATE
    AFTER THE PRIVATE CEREMONY
    Bride's Name
    and
    Grooms's Name
    were married in a private ceremony
    on DATE LOCATION

    Come help us celebrate
    this joyous occasion
    at a Reception in their honor
    date...time...place

    Our joy would be more complete
    if you would come to
    a Reception celebrating
    our recent marriage.
    date...time...place
    Bride and Groom's name
    VERSES and QUOTES
    One love that
    is shared by two...

    A new day
    A new life
    Together...

    Love fills the moment,
    and the moment begins eternity
    Love fills a lifetime,
    and a lifetime begins this hour

    Hand in hand
    heart to heart
    love encircles us...

    Love is the most
    beautiful gift
    we are given
    to share

    On this day
    I will marry my friend
    The one who shares my dreams,
    life and
    Love

    As a rainbow
    brings beauty to our lives
    So our love
    brings the promise of joy

    Like the flames of two candles
    that unite
    to form a single flame

    Today is the first day
    of our life together

    Love is beautiful simply
    by being what it is

    RECEPTION VERSES
    Generally Accepted Etiquette
    To help us celebrate,
    please join us for the Reception
    immediately following the ceremony
    ...location...
    The pleasure of your company is requested
    at the Reception
    immediately following the ceremony
    ...location...
    ...address...
    Adult Reception
    following the ceremony
    ...location...
    ...address...
    Reception following ceremony
    ...time...
    ...location...
    Champagne and hors d'oeuvres
    following ceremony
    at the home of the bride's parents
    ...address...
    Please join us for a reception
    at two o'clock in the afternoon
    ...location...
    RESPONSE CARD VERSES
    often RSVP information is put directly onto the invitation as corner copy
    The favor of a
    reply is requested
    on or before ....date....
    Name____________
    Accepts_____ Regrets_____
    or
    M__________
    Will attend_____ Will not attend______
    Number of persons____
    or
    ___will attend
    ____will not attend
    or
    ____will ____will not attend
    will_______attend
    The courtesy of a reply is requested
    by ...date...
    M______________
    Will attend____ Will not attend_____
    Please indicate number of each
    Chicken___ Beef___

    Please respond by date
    Name(s)__________________
    ____persons will attend
    ___regrets
    or e-mail your response to
    address

    M__________________
    ____can ____cannot
    accept your kind
    invitation to the Wedding
    Kindly (or Please) respond on or before
    ...date...
    M___________
    Will attend___ Will not attend____
    Number attending_____
    THANK YOU CARD VERSES
    additional unique wedding and other thank you notes
    Just a card to thank you
    and a line to tell you, too,
    nothing could have been more welcome
    than the thoughtful gift from you.

    Mr. and Mrs. James Patella

    Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Weber
    sincerely appreciate and thank you
    for your very lovely
    wedding gift.
    God's beautiful blessings.
    A new life...
    and wonderful people
    who share the happiness
    Thank you!

    Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Downs

    Thank You
    For helping us begin our life together
    in such a beautiful way!

    Mr. and Mrs. Jack Envoy

    Our sincerest thanks
    for all your good wishes
    and very lovely gift.

    Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

    Thank you for adding to
    the joyful spirit of our wedding
    with your presence
    and thoughtful gift.

    Linda and Joshua Nost

    Please accept our sincere thanks
    for the lovely gift.
    Both the thought and the gift
    made us very happy.

    Lydia and Drake

    One thank you for the gift,
    and another for the thought.
    A dozen thank yous couldn't tell you
    all the happiness they brought.

    Michelle and Hank Rivers

    REHEARSAL DINNER INVITATIONS
    most often hosted by the groom's parents
    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Orlando
    cordially invite you to attend
    the Rehearsal Dinner for
    Lisa Thompkins
    and
    Allen Orlando
    on Friday, the third of September
    nineteen hundred and ninety-eight
    at eight o'clock in the evening
    Twin Oaks Country Club
    Craigmount, Vermont
    We request the pleasure of your company
    at the Rehearsal Dinner in honor of
    Lisa Thompkins
    and
    Allen Orlando
    on Friday, September fourth
    at eight-thirty in the evening
    Twin Oaks Country Club
    Craigmount, Vermont

    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Orlando

    SHOWER INVITATIONS
    Rosalyn O'Hara
    and
    Donald Summer
    are soon to be wed
    You are invited to a
    Wedding Shower for the couple
    on Saturday the fourteenth of September
    nineteen hundred and ninety-nine
    at four o'clock in the afternoon
    Ann Marie Welsh's home
    1234 Hunterton Avenue
    Wall Township, Pennsylvania
    The honour of your presence is requested
    at a
    Surprise Bridal Shower
    in honor of
    Natasha Woods
    on Sunday, May third
    nineteen hundred and ninety-eight
    at three o'clock in the afternoon
    Lou's Italian Kitchen
    Oswego, New York
    ENGAGEMENT PARTY INVITATIONS
    Introducing the future
    Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Washington
    Please join us for an Engagement Party
    honoring
    Terry and Tyler
    on Saturday the fifteenth of June
    at seven o'clock in the evening
    .....location....
    ...address...
    ...city, state...

    ...hosts...

    The honour of your presence is requested
    at a
    Surprise Bridal Shower
    in honor of
    Natasha Woods
    on Sunday, May third
    nineteen hundred and ninety-eight
    at three o'clock in the afternoon
    Lou's Italian Kitchen
    Oswego, New York
    Glossary of Terms and Special Formatting
    Addressing and Mailing Information

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