One wedding question that people wonder about etiquette-wise is the following: should wedding invitations have last names?
Do you need to include last names on the invite, or is there no last name?
We received this question from bride-to-be, Gabriella, who asks,
“Hi there! I’m trying to pick out invitations for my wedding but I’m stumped on the wording. Should our wedding invitations have last names on them or just first names? I’ve seen it done both ways and I’m wondering if no last name is the best way to do it. Do last names go on wedding invitations? Thanks for your help!”
Great question, Gabriella!
You’re absolutely correct: there are invitations with first names only, along with invitations featuring the last names of the couple.
I’ve seen a huge trend in modern invitations that only list the first names — no last names on the invitations.
But what is the “correct” way to do it, etiquette-wise?
The way to word wedding invitations includes last names of the couple, especially with the parents are including in the invitation wording.
Here is the example of wording:
“Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Martin
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Ann Martin
to
Bradley Francis Cooper…”
Or, if hosting the wedding yourselves,
“Together with their families
Jennifer Ann Martin
and
Bradley Francis Cooper…”
This is the best way to word wedding invitations with last names with a classic and more formal approach.
It’s your wedding, so you can word your invitations however best suits your situation.
No Last Name on Wedding Invitations
If your guest list is very small and everyone will know exactly who is getting married, and it is a modern and less formal event, invitations can omit last names.
If you opt for first names only, you can choose whether to include your first name and middle or just the first name by itself.
If your partner does not have a middle name, keep the look cohesive and omit it for both names.
Here are some examples of invitations that have last names, along with some wedding invites with no last names, so you can discern the difference for yourself.
Invitations That Have Last Names
Now, let’s take a look at the other style.
No Last Name on Wedding Invitation
A Mix: First and Last Names on Wedding Invitations
If you want to make your first names really stand out AND you want your wedding invitations with last names listed, here’s a great compromise! This design by Robert and Stella is a perfect way to get the best of both worlds. This invitation features the first names prominently, yet also includes last names in the invitation wording itself.
What do we recommend? It’s entirely up to you, but we vote that you should have last names on invitations, solely for the purpose of sticking with etiquette. Another reason to do it is to eliminate confusion for guests.
Plus, guests also like to know last names in the event of a personalized gift item ahead of the wedding day. By selecting wedding invitations with last names, you’re ahead of the ball on this and won’t wonder whether you should have included them after the fact. :)
I hope it helps!
xo
Emma
