How to word invitation if Groom's Grandmother and Uncle are contributing the most and Bride's Family not contributing at all?

by Amy
(New York, New York)

My fiance (the groom)'s maternal Uncle and Grandmother have told us they will pay for the majority of the wedding after learning that my parents will not be contributing. My parents will attend the wedding but will not be paying for anything. My fiance's father and stepmother will be paying for traditional costs such as the rehearsal dinner. My fiance's mother is deceased. How can we word the wedding invitation to honor the groom's maternal uncle and grandmother? I don't want to use "together with their families" since my family isn't contributing.

Many thanks!
Amy

Jul 11, 2011
Invitation Wording
by: Wendy (Modern Manners and Etiquette)

Thank you for your question! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

It is wonderful that your fiance's Grandmother and Uncle are helping you start your life together. It is wonderful that you would like to honor them in your invitation.

Proper wedding invitation etiquette states that those who are paying for the wedding are listed first in the invitation. In most cases the bride's family is listed, because they pay for the lion's share of the wedding.

Since this is not the case in your wedding, you can list the Groom's family first. A wording example would be:

Grandmother (name) and Uncle (name)
are pleased to announce the wedding of
your fiance's name
to
your name.

You can then list the wedding information such as date, location and time.
At the bottom of the invitation you could list both of your parents, for example: Parents of the bride... on one side of the invitation and Parents of the groom on the other side.

I hope this helps you with your announcements. Best wishes planning your special day and onto your lives!