Invitation Wording Examples: Bride’s Parents Hosting

Your wedding invitations do more than just share the details—they set the tone for your big day! If your parents are hosting (and paying for) the celebration, you might be wondering how to word your invitations to honor tradition while still making them feel like you. Let’s walk through some etiquette tips, modern trends, and, of course, plenty of wording examples to help you personalize the perfect invite.

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Tradition vs. Modern Trends: Do My Parents Need to Be on the Invitation?

Traditionally, if the bride’s parents were paying for the wedding, their names would be front and center on the invitation. This was a way to acknowledge their generosity and role as hosts. However, times have changed! While it’s still customary to include parents’ names if they’re funding the event, some couples opt for a more modern approach by listing only their names.

So, should you include your parents? The choice is yours! If your parents are hosting, it’s a thoughtful and respectful way to acknowledge them. But if both sets of parents are contributing, or if you and your partner are paying for the wedding yourselves, you have more flexibility in how you word it.

How to Include Your Parents on Your Invitation

If your parents are hosting, their names should be at the beginning of the invitation. Here are a few common approaches:

• Traditional & Formal: The parent’s names are listed first, followed by “request the honor of your presence” for a religious ceremony or “request the pleasure of your company” for a non-religious ceremony.
  
  
• Semi-Formal & Modern: The wording feels more relaxed, often using phrases like “joyfully invite you” or “invite you to celebrate.”
  
  
• Casual & Fun: The wording is personalized and less structured, making the invitation feel warm and unique.
  
  

Here are some great wording examples to get you started:

Classic & Traditional Wording Examples

These examples follow formal etiquette and are perfect for elegant, black-tie affairs or church ceremonies.

Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Emma Rose
to
Jonathan Michael Williams
Saturday, the fifteenth of June
two thousand twenty-five
at half past four in the afternoon
Grace Church
Chicago, Illinois
Reception to follow

Here’s a slightly less formal example:

Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson
joyfully invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Emma Rose
and
Jonathan Michael Williams
Saturday, June 15, 2025
at 4:30 in the afternoon
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Dinner and dancing to follow

Modern & Semi-Formal Wording Examples

If you’re looking for a contemporary approach that still includes your parents, these examples strike a nice balance.

With love and gratitude,
Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson
invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter
Emma Rose
and
Jonathan Michael Williams
June 15, 2025
at 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow!

And here’s an example that doesn’t spell out parent’s names:

Together with their parents,
Emma Rose Anderson
and
Jonathan Michael Williams
invite you to celebrate their wedding
Saturday, June 15, 2025
at 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Festivities to follow!

Casual & Warm Wording Examples

Hosting a laid-back wedding? Here are a couple of fun and inviting options.

Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson
can’t wait to celebrate as their daughter
Emma Rose
marries her best friend
Jonathan Michael Williams!
Join us on June 15, 2025
at 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Dinner, drinks & dancing to follow

This modern approach is so heartfelt:

Please join us as we celebrate
the marriage of
Emma Rose Anderson
and
Jonathan Michael Williams
Hosted with love by Emma’s parents, William and Sarah Anderson
Saturday, June 15, 2025
at 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Dinner & merriment to follow!

Blended Families & Unique Situations

If your parents are divorced, remarried, here are some ways to handle it.

Mr. William Anderson
and
Ms. Katherine Lewis
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of their daughter
Emma Rose
and
Jonathan Michael Williams
Saturday, June 15, 2025
at 4:30 PM
The Grand Ballroom, Chicago
Celebration to follow!

At the end of the day, your wedding invitations should reflect your personality and the style of your wedding. Whether you go the traditional route or opt for a more modern take, the most important thing is that the wording feels right to you.

Still need inspiration? Check out our guide to wedding invitation wording. And when you’re ready to choose your invitations, browse our affordable and beautiful wedding invitations!