How to Word Wedding Invitations with Divorced Parents: Etiquette Tips

The wedding day is one of the most memorable days in a couple’s life. However, it can be a bit challenging to create the perfect wedding invitation when your parents are divorced. Navigating through this sensitive issue requires thoughtfulness and consideration for both sets of parents. This blog post will provide you with guidance on how to word your wedding invitations with divorced parents in a way that reflects love, respect, and inclusivity.

Understanding Different Family Dynamics

Before diving into the specific wording and examples, it is essential to acknowledge that every family is unique, with different relationships and dynamics. Keep the following factors in mind while creating your invitations:

• The relationship between your divorced parents (amicable or not)
• Whether the parents have remarried or not
• The inclusion of step-parents in the invitation

Remember that it is crucial to prioritize everyone’s feelings and ensure that no one feels excluded or overshadowed by others.

Wording Your Invitation: Basic Principles

Here are some key principles to help guide you while wording wedding invitations with divorced parents:

Principle 1: Separate Lines for Each Parent

To avoid any confusion or potential misunderstandings, it is best practice to list each parent on a separate line. This helps maintain clarity and establishes an equal footing for each parent.

Principle 2: Listing Parents’ Names Alphabetically

When listing both parents’ names on separate lines, consider putting them in alphabetical order by last name. This approach avoids any perceived favoritism.

Principle 3: Include Titles

Using titles such as “Mr.” and “Mrs.” adds formality to the invitations, which is generally preferred in traditional wedding settings.

With these principles in mind, let’s explore various scenarios and examples for wording your wedding invitations.

Scenario 1: Divorced Parents Hosting Together (Both Unmarried)

In cases where both divorced parents are hosting the wedding together and have not remarried, you can list them on separate lines using the following format:

[Mother’s Full Name]
and
[Father’s Full Name]
request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children

Example:

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Collins
and
Mr. John William Smith
request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children

Scenario 2: Divorced Parents Hosting Together (One or Both Remarried)

When one or both parents have remarried and are hosting the wedding together, include their new spouses in the invitation as well. If both parents have remarried, separate each couple by a line.

Example:

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Collins and Mr. Robert James Collins
and
Mr. John William Smith and Mrs. Sarah Marie Smith
request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their children

Scenario 3: Divorced Parents Hosting Separately

If divorced parents host separately, it is essential to include both sets of invitations to maintain equal representation.

Example:

Mother’s side invitation:

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Collinsrequests the pleasure of your company atthe wedding of her daughter_

Father’s side invitation:

Mr. John William Smithrequests the pleasure of your company atthe wedding of his son_

Keeping these examples in mind, tailor them to fit your unique family dynamic.

Read more: How to Make Belly Bands for Wedding Invitations: A DIY Guide

Including Step-Parents in Wedding Invitations

Including step-parents in your invitations is a considerate way to honor their role in your life. There are different ways to do this depending on whether you include their names with that of their partner or separately.

• Adding step-parents’ names alongside biological parent names:

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Collins and Mr. Robert James Collins
and
Mr. John William Smith and Mrs. Sarah Marie Smith

• Including step-parents separately:

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Collins,
Mr. Robert James Collins,
Mr. John William Smith, andMrs. Sarah Marie Smith

Read more: Using Nicknames on Wedding Invitations: Etiquette and Tips

Final Thoughts

Wording your wedding invitations with divorced parents may seem like a daunting task, but it’s crucial to prioritize everyone’s feelings and ensure that each parent is equally represented. Use these guidelines to create thoughtful and inclusive wedding invitations that reflect love, respect, and inclusivity for all family members involved.

Good luck with your wedding planning, and remember the most important thing is to make sure you’re surrounded by loved ones on your big day!