Invitation Wording - Addressing Family with Adult Children

Original post by Bridex100

Feb 02, 2007 11:34 AM

We basically are putting Mr. and Mrs. John Smith form for the majority of the invitations.

How do we word if we want their adult children as well?

I don't want to send 3 invitations to one family. I also don't necessarily want the adult children's spouses to come either. I will let their dates come if they want to but I am not going to formerly invite them.

This is for family friends - my parents' friends. I knew some of their children for 20 years. We've lost touch but my parents feel it would be rude not to invite the children. I don't mind having them come at all. I just don't know how to word the invitations.

I'm thinking of just sending formal invitations to the parents and having my parents verbally invite their adult children.

I don't know if my post is clear. I hope it is!

PreshusSmurf Posted: Feb 02, 2007 07:46 PM

Re: Invitation Wording - Addressing Family with Adult Children

I can understand not wanting to invite children .... lots of people do that.

BUT I think that anyone who's married should be invited with their spouse. You mentioned that you don't mind if they come, I would just formally invite them. Its the right thing to do.

Think about how you would feel if your husband received an invitation to a wedding after you are married ... and you werem't even on their? I know personally that I'd probably be pretty insulted to not be included.

If you don't want to send separate invitations (*etiquette would say that you should), then I would suggest addressing it this way:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Mr. and Mrs. William Cooper
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis
123 Main Street
Anytown, New York 12345