Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option no matter who foots the bill.
Include your mother's name first, followed by your father's name. Do not use “and” to connect the two names; rather, each name should get their own separate line. For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, then the groom's parents' names.
According to wedding invitation tradition, the bride's parents should be included on the wedding invite, requesting the presence of those invited to join the couple on their big day.
It's most traditional to include the names of the groom's parents after the groom's name.
Traditional vs Modern Invitation Etiquette
In traditional wedding etiquette, the bride's name goes first followed by the groom's name. This is because traditionally it is the bride's parents who are hosting (and financing) the wedding and it is they who are inviting the guests to attend.
Tradition dictates that the bride's name always comes first, whether on save the date cards, wedding invitations or anything else. This is because the bride's parents are usually the hosts, paying a greater share of the expenses.
Basic Information for All Invitations
You'll want to let your guests know the purpose of the event (if there is one), the time (start and end), the place, special instructions (for example, costume party), and style (formal or casual). You should also ask your guests to RSVP so you are better able to plan.
The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn.
Are Parents Announced at the Reception? Couples who wish to honor their parents may want to announce them at the reception as part of the grand entrance. If this is the case, the parents of the groom should enter first, followed by the father and mother of the bride.
The most common is for the grandparents to be seated first, followed by the groom's parents and the bride's mother. Then, the officiant leads the groom, best man, and groomsmen to the altar, often from the side instead of down the aisle.
Give Them A Clear Number
Traditionally, the couple invites 1/3 of the guests, the bride's parents invite 1/3 and the groom's parents invite 1/3. Many couples adjust this so they determine 1/2 the guest list themselves and split the remaining half amongst their parents.
The wedding party typically includes the bridesmaids, groomsmen, bridesmen, groomswomen, maid of honor, best man, and anyone else accompanying the wedded couple down the aisle, such as parents, a flower girl and a ring bearer.
Simply put, there's no rule that the father of the bride has to match the groomsmen when it comes to what he wears. While many people prefer to have some kind of coordination in terms of color and style, it's really up to the couple to decide.
Currently, this format is rare because most families choose to add in the names of the groom's parents – in which case the “Mr” is omitted for the groom. Using the first, middle and last name of the groom is suggested.
Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom's name. Formal invitations issued by the bride's parents refer to her by her first and middle names, the groom by his full name and title; if the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.
Inner Envelope
Write the title of the primary guest and his or her last name. No mailing address is needed on the inner envelope. Children under 18 should be included under their parents' names, from oldest to youngest.
Parents. Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
Parents of the groom: Introduce all parents by name and role, i.e.: Mr. Newton Neville, father of the groom, and Mrs. Nina Neville, mother of the groom. Bridal party: Introduced after the parents, call them by name and role (use full names in formal events).
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
Wedding party
Groomsmen can follow the groom's grandparents and precede the best man. Next, the bridesmaids follow the groom and his parents. Alternatively, bridesmaids and groomsmen can be paired together, following the groom's grandparents and walking down the aisle before the best man.
Traditionally, the bride always precedes the groom. For a formal invite, we would always suggest the bride to be referred to by her first and middle names. The groom is referred by his full name and title (optional).
As little as 3 months before and as early as 12 is also perfectly acceptable. If you want to send something more than a year in advance I'd advise a save the date card and follow up with the invitations 4 to 6 months later.
Don't send out invitations too early
While it is important to order your invitations in advance, you should avoid sending them out too early. The recommended timeline to mail your invitations 8-12 weeks before your wedding.