Wording Wedding Invitations with Divorced Parents

These days, with divorced parents, invitations have gotten complicated! Below are some suitable wedding invitation wording. Keep in mind that this is the formal traditional language. Modern couples may choose to add opening statements such as "With Joy in Their Hearts," or may choose to change the traditional "request the honor of your presence at the marriage" to something like "invite you to be a special part of the wedding of" or even "Come laugh, dance, dine, and celebrate our wedding".

Brides parents are divorced:
eitherIssued by the parent who raised her
Ms. Anne Myers
requests the honor of your presence
at the wedding of her daughterSue Catherine
or
Divorced parents are hosting the wedding together
Mr. John NicollandMs. Janet Peters request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughterAnne Catherine

Divorced parent and new stepparent are hosting the wedding
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Stevens
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Stevens' daughterAnne Catherine Myers

Child of divorced and remarried parents both hosting the wedding
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher MyersandMr. and Mrs. Marc Velezrequest the honor of your presenceat the marriage of their daughterAnne Catherineetc.
or
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Myers
and
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Velez
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of the daughter of
Mr. Myers and Mrs. VelezAnne Catherineto

Notes to consider:
• A good rule of thumb is to list whomever is paying for the majority of the wedding, first.
• Whether it's a religious ceremony or nondenominational ceremony, the request line can say anything you wish, as long as you are welcoming guests to the wedding.
• The name of the mother is the first written then followed by the father. The word "AND" cannot be used between the names.
• The names of the mother and stepfather can be written in the invitation if the father has not been involved in the life of the bride or groom since she/he was a baby.
• BUT, the individuals whose names are appearing on the invites do not have to be always the ones paying for the wedding despite popular belief!