It used to be there wasn’t much variation in the wording of wedding invitations. Since the bride’s mom and dad were footing the bill, they were ones to “request your presence at the wedding of...” But now, divorce and remarriage have affected even the wording of the wedding invitations, so changes must be made. Wedding invitations for encore weddings can be anything from traditional to quite creative. The wording is up to you, especially if both partners were previously married. This is where many het confused. Many people asking “Because of divorce and remarriage, there are now so many people in my extended family. Must I name each one on the wedding invitations?” Following are some examples of encore wedding invitations for just about every situation

When the bride and groom issue their own wedding invitations:

The honour of your presence

is requested

at the marriage of

Rebeca Jean Connelly

to

Steven Charles Bradley

Saturday, the fourth of the June

Two thousand and nine

at four o’clock in the afternoon

Christian Country Church

Santa Barbara, California

When a couple would like to include the names of their children on their wedding invitations:

Rebecca Jean Connelly and Steven Charles Bradley

together with their children

Samantha Alexander and Susan Bradley

request the honour of your presence

at their marriage

on the fourth of June

Two thousand and nine

at four o’clock

Christian Country Church

Santa Barbara, California

If the bride is widow or divorced:

The honour of your presence

is requested at the marriage of

Mrs. Rebecca Jean Connelly

to

Mr. Steven Charles Bradley

Saturday, the fourth of June

Two thousand and nine

at four o’clock

Christian Country Church

Santa Barbara, California

If the divorced or widowed bride feels the title Mrs. is too formal, she may choose not to use it.

When the guests are invited to a reception that immediately follows the ceremony, then this should be noted at the bottom of the wedding invitations:

Reception immediately following at

Discovery Bay Country Club

Discovery Bay, California

It is not uncommon for a second wedding to be small and private but have a large reception. The reception can follow the wedding or be held at another time. If this is your preference, you may want to invite the guests to the wedding personally and then send invitations to the reception that looks similar to this one:

Rebecca Jean and Steaven Charles Bradley

request the pleasure of your company

at the reception of their marriage

Saturday, the fourth of June

Two thousand and nine at four o’clock

Discovery Bay Country Club

Discovery Bay,California

All of the above encore wedding invitations include somewhat formal wording. If your wedding will be more casual, you may want a warmer feel to the wedding invitation. In that case, you may want to try:

Our joy will be more complete if you share in the marriage of...

(names) request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of...

With joyfull hearts we ask you to be present at the ceremony uniting

(names) in marriage.

Please join us as we celebrate marriage of...

 Remember, the wording of your wedding invitations, like your vows, is really up to you. If you feel most comfortable using standardized wording, then use it, but it is also perfectly acceptable to use your own.