A typical invitation includes certain customary elements: the host line, request line, bride and groom line, date and time lines, location line, and reception and R.S.V.P. lines. Although every invitation should have all these lines, they can be worded and arranged in countless ways to reflect the style of the occasion and the changing times. "The trend is that you do whatever makes good etiquette sense and makes you feel good," says Jerome Brownstein, engraving consultant at Ross-Cook Engraving in New York City. "People are trying to stay socially correct, and at the same time they want to be comfortable."

Start with the names of those issuing the invitation, traditionally the bride's parents. Evolving family structures and financial dynamics often make this the trickiest part of the process, so follow the format that best fits your situation.

Most married couples follow the standard format (below); if they have different surnames, an "and" joins them.

Mr. and Mrs. John Michael Williams
Ms. Jane Marie Parks and Mr. John Michael Williams

If you'd like to mention them, do so after the groom's name. If they are cohosting the wedding, add them after the bride's parents' names.

Mr. Douglas Arthur Sawyer
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dean Sawyer

The below format works well for delicate situations. If the couple is hosting on their own, omit the first line.

Together with their families
Miss Elizabeth Marie Williams
and
Mr. Douglas Arthur Sawyer

Names are listed on separate lines without an "and" between them, and remember that Mom always comes first.

If mom is remarried, use her married name; the oldest etiquette omits all stepparents, though you can add them if you like. If a remarried parent has a different surname from his or her spouse, put the birth parent first. If you must break the line, do it before the "and."

It's not traditional to include a deceased parent, but many people feel strongly about doing so. This wording should make it clear that the deceased parent is not issuing the invitation. (Courtesy titles would be awkward and are omitted.)

The pleasure of your company is requested
at the marriage of
Elizabeth Marie Williams
daughter of John Williams and the late Jane Williams
to
Douglas Arthur Sawyer

You don't have to use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., etc.) and middle names, but it's most traditional and formal. When titles other than Mr. and Mrs. are used, spell them out. The parent who has such a title is listed first: Doctor and Mrs., or Doctor Jane Marie Williams and Mr. John Michael Williams.

If you're looking for a little less formality -- and a chance to list the first name of a married woman -- omit courtesy titles entirely. In some instances, as with the example for a deceased parent, using this format will avoid some grammatical awkwardness; if you choose this option, it's best to omit middle names too.

Two phrases are the most traditional; one indicates the ceremony will be in a house of worship, the other that it will not. But informal wording is becoming very common. Just be sure that whatever phrasing you choose indicates that guests are being invited to a wedding ceremony or the reception only.

Ceremony at a Place of Worship
request the honor of your presence

Ceremony at a Secular Location
request the pleasure of your company

Informal Ceremony
would be delighted by your presence
at the marriage of their children

Informal Reception Only
invite you to join them
at the wedding reception of

Because the bridal couple are the stars of the invitation, their names are set off, on separate lines. The preposition linking them goes on its own line: traditional American formatting uses the word "to"; some Jewish formats use the word "and."

Traditional
If the bride's last name is the same as her parents' above, it is not repeated. No courtesy title (such as Miss or Ms.) is used.

Contemporary
If the couple or both sets of parents are to host, treat the names equally.

Don't worry about using a.m. or p.m., or a phrase such as "in the evening," unless the wedding will be held at 8, 9, or 10 o'clock. The year is traditionally omitted as well, but it is sometimes included for the invitation's keepsake value.

Traditional
Spell out numbers and capitalize proper nouns only; you can begin the line with the preposition "on" if you'd like.

Contemporary
Though using numerals is a more modern practice, it is not necessarily more casual.

It's traditional not to include street addresses of houses of worship or well-known locations, but this is less common lately. Commas are not used at the ends of lines, and the state is always spelled out.

Traditional, and Religious
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church
Walkersville, Maryland

Contemporary
If you are using a street address, numerals are acceptable but no ZIP code is needed; this is not for mailing.

Ceresville Mansion
8529 Liberty Road
Frederick, Maryland

If the ceremony and reception are in the same space, they can be on a single invitation. If the reception is held elsewhere, a separate card might be helpful. It is no longer considered acceptable to invite some people only to the ceremony.

Brides today generally include paper, envelope, and stamp to encourage guests to respond to their invitation in a timely manner, even though traditional etiquette doesn't actually call for them. It's not rude to omit these, but it might be risky.

R.S.V.P. Line on the Invitation
It goes in the lower left corner; you can also include mailing address, phone number, email address, or website.

On a Separate Card
A traditional fill-in-the-blank version provides the first letter of Mr. or Mrs.; or try a single line, such as "Please let us know whether you will join us," with space for writing.

If your event won't include a full meal, it's courteous to inform your guests. Use phrasing such as "and afterward for cocktails" instead of the classic "at the reception."

If you want to stress the importance of the style of dress -- black tie, for instance, or casual attire -- place that information in the lower right corner, or on the reception card.

The only thing that should not be included anywhere on your invitation -- not even as an insert -- is your registry information.