How To Word A Wedding Invitation When One Parent Is Deceased
How To Word A Wedding Invitation When One Parent Is Deceased
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"How do you word a wedding invitation when the father of the bride is deceased?" - Barbara P. via Facebook
Anna Post -- great-great-granddaughter of etiquette guru Emily Post and author of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette -- is here to help us answer this week's question. Find out what she had to say below:
Generally, deceased parents aren't included on wedding invitations, as that is a place for the hosts and the couple. The invitation would simply read:
Mrs. Carol June Smithrequests the honor of your presenceat the marriage of her daughterMr. Craig Thomas DuffyIf the bride and her family very much want to include her father's name, it's important not to use language that suggests he is hosting the event. The following wording and line spacing is used, regardless of who is technically hosting (read: paying for) the wedding:
Sarah Anne Smith
daughter of Carol June Smithand the late Samuel James SmithCraig Thomas Duffyson of Mr. and Mrs. William David Duffyrequest the honor of your presenceat their marriage[etc.]
Alternative ways to honor a deceased parent include using his or her photo and a short message on the ceremony program, having a candle lit in their memory during the ceremony, and in mention during the toasts.
You can submit your wedding etiquette questions via Facebook or tweet them to us @HuffPostWedding with the hashtag #MannersMondays.