Invitation Wording

[lize566]

I have searched and searched and can't really find the proper etiquette for how to write the parents names of the groom if one is remarried and one isn't. I think the way I have it is okay, but then I have another problem. I'll explain that in a minute. This is what I have:

Stephen Daniel *****
son of Ms. Lavenia *****
and Mr. and Mrs. Rick *****

If this isn't how you guys would do it, any suggestions? Now, here is the problem if the etiquette is okay. Stephen's parents have been divorced for like 20 years, all of which his dad has been married to Linda, Stephen's step-mom (he left Stephens mom for this other woman, and she is/was bitter about it). Linda and his dad haven't been the best parents and haven't always been there, but it is partly b/c Stephens mom didn't want them to be. She is still not accepting of Linda, therefore when I showed them the invitation she was like "no it's wrong it should just be Mr. Rick and not Mr. and Mrs." I disagree-she is part of the family and has been for a while whether they like it or not, and she is very nice and welcoming to me. Stephen says he doesn't care, but if I leave her on there his mom and grandma will probably be upset about it. Hopefully this all makes sense! What should I do?

[hummingbird521]

i need to ponder on this one a bit. but the first thing i thought of whether it is liked or not is: son of Mr. Rick and Ms. Lavenia

[jeni740]

This place is great on wording invites http://www.verseit.com/

[ger]

My thoughts are that his Mom needs to get over it...especially after all this time. My children's father and I have been divorced for many years, but when my daughter got married, not only was it a georgous wedding, but her Dad and I were quite civil. Now, I don't mean to imply that we aren't on a regular basis...it can be done...and definately NEEDS to be done on special days like weddings.

His step-Mom is a part of his life. I would have been quite angry if my step-kids didn't include me in their invitations (even though I doubt it will happen now that I'm not married to their Dad). I hope some of this helps...and doesn't make things harder.

[shelbyoliver]

Hummm... Well you could go with something like this

Mr. John Doe
Son of Mr. James Doe and Mrs. Lanna Mckennet, stepson of Mrs. Anna Doe.

???

[WebLady]

I would just do something like ...

Mr & Mrs John Doe, Mr (or) Mrs Jason Doe (both sets of groom's parents)

and

Mr & Mrs Jeff Smith (brides parents)

I don't think you have to list who is related to who.

Or you could just put "The families of" instead of listing all the names.

[Panthers Bride]

I would just do something like ...

Mr & Mrs John Doe, Mr (or) Mrs Jason Doe (both sets of groom's parents)

and

Mr & Mrs Jeff Smith (brides parents)

I don't think you have to list who is related to who.

Or you could just put "The families of" instead of listing all the names.

I agree with Brandi. Or, you could say
Stephen Daniel
and
Elizabeth .......
along with their parents
blah blah blah

don't know if that will work for you or not.

[lize566]

All very good ideas, thanks ladies!

The only thing about the last two are that since my parents are paying for it I really think they want the invitations to read as such..you know Mr and Mrs invite you to share...I might see what they think of Shelby's idea, or just talk to his mom again and see if it is that big of a deal. His brother got married 2 years ago so i'm going to look to see how they did the invites. Thanks again! I'm still open to suggestions if anybody has anymore.

[gennymac]

The general rule is that the mother and father of the bride are making the invitation to the wedding of their daughter. I don't think you have to list either parents of the groom.

Take a look at the site provided earlier here http://www.verseit.com/VerseIt_Etiquette.cfm and see what you think.

And as for people getting their noses out of joint - that was their marriage (failed or successful) and should have NO impact on yours. That is a message that is sometimes hard to deliver in a way that can be heard for what it is, but if you don't get it out now, you'll have a harder time when there are grandchildren to deal with.
Good luck honey ! My thoughts and prayers are with you on this one.

Gen