Wording the blasted invite - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Nola Bride · #1 03-17-2006, 08:02 PM

So, I never thought something like wording the invitation would take so long and be so COMPLICATED, but there it is.

At any rate, I am getting married in New Orleans in May. Outside. Music, dancing, food, HEAT. I want my guests to get "FUN" out of the invite. I want them to dress comfortably, too. So far, we've had a designer do the images (banana leaves) and layout, and she offered the following text:

Sarah & Simon

Invite you to join them in celebration
of their marriage
Date
Location

Rsvp casual attire

What we WANT is for it to be in the first-person. We want to say something like:

Please join us in celebrating our marriage...

But where do we put our NAMES? It seems so awkward to refer to yourself with first, middle, and last names when you're sending these to people who know you.

So, question: Any advice on unpretentious, playful wording for an invite that is first-person?

Thanks!

Our parents are helping us, but barely, and neither side feels the need to be included in the invite (of course we'll thank them at the ceremony--of course.)

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #2 03-17-2006, 08:16 PM

Invitation wording is so not my forte. But I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to Pash! Please tell us more about yourself! I have no doubt you'll get some suggestions from the other ladies...

Nola Bride · #3 03-17-2006, 08:28 PM

Sorry, I should know, being the good Southerner that I am, to introduce myself!

My name's Sarah (as you saw in my post), and I live in New Orleans with my now-fiance, Simon. He's a Brit, I'm a southerner originally from Atlanta. We're having a garden wedding in our neighborhood, which, thank goodness, suffered only minor damage from the floods following Hurricane Katrina. We're both teachers, although Simon lost his job and is now looking for jobs in the very few schools that are open. Our wedding "theme" is "Tomato-TomAHto," although that's really just going to be printed on our cups and handheld fans. My cake designer is also making a groom's cake to look like the Union Jack.

I posted a while ago on the forums under another name (I couldn't remember it!) This was back when it was Bliss Weddings. At the time, I raised a ruckus because I was overly sensitive. Three more months of wedding planning--and six months in a devastated city--have changed all that! I've got nerves of steel now. And hopefully I will be welcomed back.

Thanks!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #4 03-17-2006, 08:37 PM

LOL! We've had a number of rukuses--so that doesn't really narrow it down!

Glad you decided to give us another shot!

Lizbet · #5 03-17-2006, 08:41 PM

It's good to have you back.

I'm trying to come up with wording, but you're right. It's really hard to have a first-person invite and include the names. Hmm... I'll keep thinking about it.

Also, I know there are websites that have all different invite wordings on them, but I don't know the adresses. Maybe one of the other girls here will recall and post them for you.

Sh@ks18 · #6 03-17-2006, 08:48 PM

Welcome to Pash!

As far as your invitations go, how about having both your names at the top somewhere, sort of like a logo or at the bottom as a signature but a little bigger or something, and in the main body you can have the whole "we would like you to join us" etc.

Nola Bride · #7 03-17-2006, 08:59 PM

And one we'd thought of... and then overanalyzed, maybe. If we have our names in larger font, doesn't it seem a little letterhead-ish? I can be convinced otherwise here--hence my asking!

Having them at the bottom... might that be weird, too? I really like this idea, I just don't know if it's "done" that way. Would it seem strange to our recipients (most of whom are close friends but some of whom live in Proppa England)? Have you seen invites worded this way?

Complicated Woman · #8 03-17-2006, 09:03 PM

I think now, almost anything goes with invitations. What do you think will reflect you as a couple and the "feel" of your wedding? If you think your guests will respond well to it, go for it!

Nola Bride · #9 03-17-2006, 09:08 PM

Thanks... I guess what I want is permission to do something less formal, something more fun. Still, we know that Southerners and Brits can both be particular about things, and we want all to feel welcome and happy--hence the head-banging.

Can anyone offer examples of wording in the first-person?

Complicated Woman · #10 03-17-2006, 09:31 PM

If you click here you'll be able to look through a ton of different verse suggestions. There are about 14 pages of casual wedding invite suggestions. HTH!

cru5h · #11 03-17-2006, 09:34 PM

Glad you came back

I remember because it was my ruckus too.

I don't have much help to offer in the way of wording. We're doing something incredibly informal and I'm terrible with ettiquette.

Nola Bride · #12 03-17-2006, 09:53 PM

Thanks, Complicated, for the site. It'll take me some time to sort through them all, but examples are exactly what I needed.

And cru5h! Oh, the way we were!

Good to be back... I'm in the frantic final weeks now, so I expect I'll be around...

555Ann555 · #13 03-17-2006, 10:00 PM

Just wanted to add another welcome wave

Em... We brits aren't all into formality, anyone who is coming all the way out to New Orleans for your wedding will be expecting to experience a different kind of wedding.

I think if I came all that way I'd be disappointed to find a British wedding

I'm all for the touches to show your FH's heratage (like the cake) but I wouldn't worry about them not finding it 'proper'.

SuzyBride · #14 03-17-2006, 11:46 PM

Welcome back! I look forward to hearing more about your wedding plans!!

sparklesweetie · #15 03-18-2006, 01:15 AM

What about a fun monogram behind your wording? Just have the last inital in the background of it and your names in the foreground of it. I'll try and post a pic later if you'd like.

Nola Bride · #16 03-18-2006, 11:09 PM

I haven't nailed it down yet, but the site that CW posted has helped me with ideas and hopefully I'll sort through the nitty-grirry by Monday.

You're right, Ann, not all Brits are "proper," and thank goodness for that! My FH's family is probably more relaxed than my own. I think we'll give them all quite a show here in Nola!

swtdl11552 · #17 03-19-2006, 02:27 AM

How about something sort of along the lines of
"Please join us as we become Mr. & Mrs. and then both of your first names and your "new" last name."
But etiquette-savvy I am not...I'm not sure if you can put the new last name before you've actually become it. Anyway...I know I saw something like that on an invite once and thought it was great. If I can find it someplace I'll let you know.

Shannon