Invitations for a Second Marriage

Sometimes love at first sight doesn’t happen the first time around, and the having a second wedding can have its own unique pressures. Wording your wedding invitation for a second marriage can be a little tricky. There are different rules for the second go, and Persnickety is ready to help!

Persnickety loves guiding brides when it comes to finding the perfect wording for their stationery suite. It’s one of the enormous benefits of working one-on-one with an invitation studio right in our studio. Your marriage is exciting, no matter if it’s the first or second!

Need some help getting started on your invitation wording for your second marriage? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Custom all-in-one wedding invitation

Custom seal ‘n send invitation by Persnickety. Printed on texture paper with gold foil printing.

From the Happy Couple

Typically, second marriage invitations are sent directly from the couple, instead of their parents. Keep your wording simple and concise. Many of our second brides want to keep their invitation toned down so as not to draw attention to the fact that this is their second time at the altar.

If you and your fiancé are issuing the invitations, you should use first person pronouns- our/us/we. This helps to give the invitation a personable touch without the height of formality. You can also include a verse or poem to help give a warm vibe to your invitation. For example:

Lauren Marie Shaffer
and
Bradley James Knight
invite you to share
a day of happiness
as they begin a life of love
Saturday, June second
two thousand eighteen
at three o’clock in the afternoon
All Saints Church
231 Second Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania

 

We invite you to be with us
for a celebration of love,
when we,
Lauren Marie Shaffer
and
Bradley James Knight
join together in marriage
on Saturday, the second of June
two thousand eighteen
at three o’clock in the afternoon
All Saints Church
231 Second Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania

Art deco invitation

Gold and black art deco custom invitation suite

Formal Affair

For a more formal wedding, consider using third person pronouns for your invitation. It will still be clear that you are initiating the invitations, but avoid we/us/our- these give off a more informal feel. You can place your names at the top of the invitation or in the middle for a more traditional feel. For example:

Lauren Marie Shaffer
and
Bradley James Knight
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, June second
two thousand eighteen
at three o’clock in the afternoon
All Saints Church
231 Second Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania

 

Together with their parents
Lauren Marie Shaffer
and
Bradley James Knight
invite you to share with them
a celebration of love.
The ceremony will be
at three o’clock in the afternoon
Saturday, the second of June
two thousand eighteen
All Saints Church
231 Second Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania

Navy and gold foil invitation

Custom navy and gold foil invitation suite

From the Parents

If your parents are paying for the wedding, it is proper that their names appear at the top of the invitation, as they will be ones initiating the invitations. This is less common for second marriages, but there is no hard-and-fast rule that says it’s a no-no. Your parents’ names should appear at the top, just as they would in a first marriage invitation. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shaffer
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Lauren Marie
to
Bradley James Knight
on Saturday, the second of June
two thousand eighteen
All Saints Church
231 Second Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania

Custom invitation in silver silk box

Winter wedding inspired custom paper suite

Using an Old Last Name

Brides can be concerned about whether or not they should use their ex-husband’s last name on their wedding invitation, even though that’s what people know them by. This is totally up to you whether or not you want to include it.

Persnickety’s suggestion is to omit your current last name. We want to focus on your new marriage with your spouse and not what has happened in the past. This is the day where you put a new foot forward!

Need help finding a gorgeous wedding invitation for your big day, no matter the first or second? Let an invitation specialist at Persnickety help you find the perfect paper suite. Schedule your appointment online! 

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