If a parent is a widow or widower, it is acceptable to list them alone as the single host of the event. If you wish to honor a deceased parent, you can also describe the bride or groom as “the child of Mr. John Smith and the late Anne Smith.”

However, we think it is strange and awkward to include a deceased parent at the top of the invitation in a way that makes it seem that the deceased person is inviting guests to the event. It is more appropriate to find a way to honor the deceased parent during the wedding ceremony, such as placing a white rose on the altar or including a note or poem in the program.

If both parents are deceased, and another family member is hosting, just explain that. (Ex. Mrs. Anne Smith invites you to the marriage of her niece…)

. . . . . . . . . .

Mrs. Jane Smith

and her husband, Mr. John Smith,

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of her sister

Elizabeth Anne to John Johnson

on Friday, the twenty-first of May

at eight o’clock in the evening

First Methodist Church

1234 Some Street

City, State

Reception with dinner and dancing

to follow at Preston Country Club

. . . . . . . . . .

Please share our joy

at the wedding of

Jane Elizabeth

daughter of Anne and Michael Smith

and

John David

son of Phillip Johnson

and the late Carmen Johnson

on Thursday, the fifteenth of July

First Methodist Church

1234 Some Street

City, State

Reception with dinner and dancing

to follow at Preston Country Club

. . . . . . . . . .

Anne Smith

invites you to celebrate

the marriage of her daughter

Jane Elizabeth

and

John David Johnson

on the twenty-first of October

two thousand and thirteen

at ten o’clock in the morning

First Methodist Church

1234 Some Street

City, State

Lunch reception to follow

in the fellowship hall