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For all but informal invitations, the wording of a wedding invitation is generally done in the third person.

Dissecting the Invitation

Invitational line: Who is inviting; generally the bride's parents but could be groom's parents, other hosts, or bride and groom themselves.

Request line: Issues invitation to guest. "Request the honor/ honour of your presence" is always used when ceremony will be in a place of worship. "Request the pleasure of your company" is used for other settings.

Bride's name: Usually the name given the bride by her parents. Her last name may be used if it is different from the person issuing the invitation. In general, the bride's professional title is not used when the invitaiton is issued by her parents; if the bride and groom issue the invitation, however, it is customary to include her title.

Joining Clause: The word "to" is used when the invitation is for the marriage ceremony itself. The word "and" is used when the invitation is solely for the reception.

Groom's name: Generally the groom's full name, with title is used. If the groom (and for that matter anyone else whose name appears on the invitation) strongly dislikes his middle name, leave it off altogether rather than use an initial.

Date line: Indicates the day of the week and day of the month the wedding will take place. Using "on" prior to the day of the week is optional.

Year line: It is optional to include the year on an invitation although you should include it on a wedding announcement. If you do include it, it should be written out in full. For example, "Nineteen hundred and ninety-eight."

Time line: The time of the wedding appears on one line, preceded by the word "at." If you're superstitious, it is considered good luck to marry on the half hour because the clock hands at that point are moving up. In contrast, marrying on the hour is unlucky as the hands are moving down and the marriage will be all downhill. The only exception to this is to be married at noon which is great luck as the two clock hands are in a praying position.

Location: Provides the exact name of the ceremony site, as confirmed with the site. You can also include the address if there are two churches, for example, in the area with the same name. You do not need to include the address, however, if you are using direction cards.

City and State: Provides city and state names written out in full.

invitational line	Mr. and Mrs. Ari Cohen
request line	request the honour/honor of your presence
	at the marriage of their daughter
bride's name	Shoshona Freya
joining word	to
groom's name	Mr. Joshua Levin
date line	on Sunday the twentieth of June
year line (optional)	Two Thousand and Ten
time line	at half after one o'clock
location	Congregation Beit Yonah
city and state	Elmwood, Connecticut

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