When divorced parents are hosting

Name each parent on their own line, never as a couple. If either has remarried, their spouse can share their line. If naming everyone would start an argument, leave the hosts off entirely. The modern wording does exactly that, and it is common.

Traditional Warm Modern

Traditional

Mrs Anita Rao
and
Mr Vikram Rao
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Priya & Etienne

Both parents named, each on a line of their own, mother first by US convention. No “Mr and Mrs”: they are not a couple any more, and the card shouldn’t say they are.

Too long for The Overprint, whose names fill the card. Fits The Crest and The Date.

Warm

Together with Anita Rao, Vikram Rao,
and Marie and Luc Moreau,
Priya & Etienne
would love you to join them
as they get married

Every parent included, each divorced parent by their own name, nobody ranked. The safest choice when relationships are mended but not close. Strictly, this makes the couple the hosts.

Too long for The Overprint, whose names fill the card. Fits The Crest and The Date.

Modern

Priya & Etienne
are getting married.
Come and celebrate with us.

Nobody named as host. Often the kindest answer when naming parents would start an argument. Nobody can be left off a line that isn’t there.

What people ask

Whose name goes first?: Traditionally the mother’s, then the father’s. If one parent is paying for most of it, many couples put them first instead. There is no wrong order, only an inconsistent one, so use the same order on the website.
A parent has remarried. Is the step-parent named?: If they are hosting too, yes, on the same line: “Mr and Mrs James Hart”. If not, the parent appears alone, under the name they use now.
Do the website and the invitation have to match?: They should, or guests notice. Use the same names, in the same order, in both places.

Last checked 4 October 2026.

Your names, every piece of paper

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