Wording Wedding Invitations – When to Abbreviate

There are certain things to be aware of when it comes to wording wedding invitations, especially abbreviations. These etiquette guidelines are appropriate for both your invitation verse and for addressing the envelopes.

• Non-professional titles such as Mr. and Mrs. are acceptable abbreviations.
• Professional titles such as Doctor should be spelled out.
• Names of states as well as the words ‘Street’, ‘Boulevard’, ‘Avenue’, ‘Trail’, etc. should be written out completely.
• Symbols should not be used so the word and should be spelled out.
• Times on the wedding invitation should be listed in words and without the abbreviations of a.m. and p.m. Instead, use the phrase in the afternoon or in the evening to be specific.

Here is an example wording wedding invitations using traditional etiquette guidelines:

 

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Smith
to
Jason Johnson
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and Twelve
at two o’clock in the afternoon
St. Peter’s Church
10 West Main Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin