When the bride’s parents are hosting

The oldest form of the invitation, and still the commonest on formal paper: her parents host, so their names come first and the request is theirs. It works the same when two brides marry: whichever parents host say “their daughter”.

Traditional Warm Modern

Traditional

Mr and Mrs Vikram Rao
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Priya to Etienne Moreau
Saturday, the twelfth of June
at four o’clock

The classic sequence: the hosts, the request, “their daughter”, then the couple. Nothing to add and nothing to argue with.

Warm

Anita and Vikram Rao
would love you to join them
for the wedding of their daughter
Priya & Etienne
Saturday 12 June 2027
at 4pm

Both parents by their first names, and a sentence that sounds like them rather than like a printer.

Modern

Anita and Vikram Rao
invite you to the wedding of
Priya & Etienne
Saturday 12 June 2027
at 4pm

One host line, one request line, the names. Formal enough for the hosts, short enough for the card.

What people ask

Should the groom’s parents be mentioned too?: Not as hosts, if they are not hosting. If they are sharing the hosting, use the both-families wording. If not, a line on your website is the kind place for them.
“Mr and Mrs Vikram Rao” or “Anita and Vikram Rao”?: The first is the formal convention; the second names both parents and is now widely accepted, even on a formal card. Use one form throughout.
Do we use her surname?: Not when her parents host: their name already says it. Her partner’s full name is the one given in full.

Last checked 4 October 2026.

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