Why are parents names on wedding invitations
Why Are Parents’ Names On Wedding Invitations?
Getting married marks one of the most significant milestones in a couple’s life. As they prepare to tie the knot, there are many wedding planning decisions to make – from choosing a venue and cake to putting together the guest list and invitations.
The wedding invitation sets the tone for the big day while providing vital details to guests. And among the standard information included is the couple’s parents’ names. But why do parent names feature on the wedding invitations?
Tradition Of Honoring Parents
Listing parents on the wedding invitation serves to acknowledge their importance in raising the bride and groom. It has long been a wedding tradition to honor both sets of parents during the ceremony and celebrations. Printed parent names recognize their role in shaping the lives of the soon-to-be-married couple.
For the bride, there is often a special dedication to her family by having her parents accompany her down the aisle. The groom may also pay tribute to his parents through a special dance or speech. Including parent names on the invitations foreshadows these symbolic traditions that venerate both families.
Sign Of Respect And Appreciation
Newly engaged couples have their parents to thank for nurturing them into the people they are today. By featuring their names on the wedding stationery, the bride and groom demonstrate respect and appreciation for those who raised them.
Listing their names signifies that the parents are valued and welcomed to share in the joy of their child’s matrimony. For couples who have a close bond with their families, placing parent names on the invitation eloquently conveys their importance on the momentous day.
Etiquette Rule To Follow
Furthermore, incorporating parent names on wedding invites is deemed proper etiquette by many. According to traditional rules set forth by eminent etiquette experts like Emily Post, the hosts of the wedding should be clearly communicated through the invitation wording – and the hosts are understood to be the couple’s parents.
Even if the bride and groom pay for most or all of the wedding expenses, custom still maintains that their parents get named. By abiding by this precedent, engaged couples ensure their invitations abide by expected etiquette standards for suitable correspondence.
Logistical Details To Share
In addition to honor and respect, listing parents’ names also provides guests with key logistical details. It clarifies specifics about the hosting situation for the event.
Some questions it preemptively answers include:
- Who is hosting the wedding and should be regarded as hosts?
- Whose contact information should I use for my RSVP?
- Who organized the wedding celebrations?
Having the parents’ names avoids confusion by stating exactly who the principle hosts or planners are. Even if others like grandparents are highly involved, the standard is to keep the focus on the bride and groom’s parents only.
Variations Across Cultures
While parent names are commonly included across many cultures, traditions do vary slightly between ethnic groups when it comes to which parents get listed:
Hispanic & Latin Families
It is popular to honor both the mother and father of the bride and groom explicitly on wedding invitations. The invitations list all four parents’ first and maiden names.
Chinese Families
Chinese wedding invitations routinely include the parents’ full names. Both the bride and groom’s parents are listed. Informal Chinese nicknames are never used – formal names are always preferred.
Indian Families
For Hindu weddings, the parents’ names are included per custom. It is typical to list the first and surnames of both sets of parents and may also include their city of residence.
Wording Etiquette To Observe
If you decide to incorporate parent names onto the wedding invite, there are some etiquette rules to follow for the most formal phrasing:
Formal Titles
Address the parents by their formal titles, like Mr. and Mrs. or Dr. and Mrs. Even if your parents do not typically use their formal titles in everyday life, etiquette calls for using the elevated address when writing out names.
Full Names
Write out the full names – first, middle, and last names. Avoid informal nicknames.
Mother’s Maiden Name
For the mothers, make sure to list their maiden name rather than their current last name. Refer to the name they were given at birth rather than the married name.
Divorced Parents
If parents are divorced, the invitation should still aim to include and respect both parties. The wording can list them as “Mr. Adam Leeds and Ms. Sarah Rowling.”
Creative Alternatives To Explore
As wedding invitation trends become increasingly creative and personalized, couples do not have to strictly adhere to the standard parent name convention if it does not suit their tastes or situation. Some creative workarounds include:
Simply Addressing To Guests
The invitation may forego mentioning the parents altogether and directly welcome the invited guests. For example, “Mr. Adam Smith and Ms. Jane Doe invite you to celebrate their marriage…” This conveys the hosts without necessarily naming parent roles.
Poems or Creative Wordings
Rather than a dry listing of parent names, some invitations employ poems or creative phrases that give a nod the parents’ significance while keeping wording light-hearted and whimsical.
On Separate Info Cards
The formal invite itself could creatively phrase the bride and groom as hosts. Then additional info cards can clarify parent details for logistics like RSVPs without having to explain family dynamics on the invite.
Listed Among Other VIPs
If there are step-parents or grandparents who also hold import roles, then the invitation may list “special VIPs” or “families of honor” and include them all under one inclusive banner.
Significance For Young Couples
Parent names hold additional significance for young couples still financially dependent on their families. In these cases, the parents are not just emotional mentors, but active hosts and sponsors for the wedding itself.
Including their names accurately reflects the hosting situation in cases where couples in their early 20s or even teens are celebrating thanks to the generosity of parents who foot the wedding bill.
Ask Parents How They Prefer to be Listed
When couples decide to include parent names on invites, the most considerate move is to speak directly with their families first about how they would prefer to be listed. This ensures their choices and family dynamics are respected.
Some questions couples should ask directly are:
- Should your full maiden name be used?
- Do you prefer a formal Mr./Mrs. title or nicknames?
- What surname spelling do you prefer – hyphenated or not?
- Would you prefer first names only instead of full names?
Giving parents a say upfront is the most thoughtful way to honor them through the invites.
Even if etiquette calls for formal names, the parents may insist on using casual nicknames as their preference. Or divorced parents may request separate lines instead of joint ones. Taking cues from parents first allows couples to make sure their wishes are prioritized on the ceremonial invites.
Proofread Carefully!
With so many details like honorifics, maiden names, spellings, and prefixes to track, proofreading parent names carefully is essential. Even minor mistakes can create awkward situations or come across as disrespectful.
Couples should verify all name spellings and details with their own parents before finalizing the invitation wording. After computer spell checks, readproof hard copies thoroughly to catch any lingering errors.
Getting parent names right shows care was taken to respect loved ones while abiding by formal etiquette rules.
Balancing Honors When Parents Don’t Share Same Name
If one parent no longer carries the family surname due to separation or divorce, the bride or groom may wrestle with how to equally honor both parents. Using first names in addition to the current parental surname can help give equal prominence.
For example, “Jennifer Rowling and Bill Leeds” gives equal weight without favoring the father’s surname as the defining family name. Or the mother’s maiden name can be used in tandem with the father’s last name to communicate respect for both.
Ultimately, speaking directly with parents about preferences goes a long way when aiming to diplomatically honor both parties. This ensures any family sensitivities or disputes do not distract from the joyous occasion.
Why Prominently Displaying Parent Names Matters
Prominently honoring parents on a couple’s big day recognizes parents’ journey as well. It thanks them for raising, nurturing, and guiding the couple from infancy into mature adults ready to start a family together.
They weathered years of parenthood – from sleepless nights with babies to worry over teenagers – all culminating in this proudest of moments seeing their son or daughter marry the love of their life.
Listing proud parent names above the couple’s own names symbolizes the completion of parenting years. The prominent billing says “we could not have made it here without you.”
The bride and groom get their very own spotlighted day. But the long road walking down the aisle started with first steps held by the hands of devoted parents decades earlier. The prominent parent top billing pays grateful tribute to those who paved the way for the couple to follow in their footsteps later on.