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Whose Name Goes First on a Wedding Invitation?

When you are going through the process of preparing for a wedding, sometimes the simplest of things can become difficult to decide. One common question people ask is, "Whose name should be placed first on the wedding invitation."  Should the bride's name come before the groom's? The decision of which name goes first should be made early on to ensure uniformity across the wedding. Minimising the chances of miscommunication.

Tradition dictates that the bride's name always comes first, whether on Save the Date Cards, wedding invitations or anything else. This is because the bride's parents are usually the hosts, paying a greater share of the expenses. This affords the bride's family the right to have their daughter's name first. After the wedding, the Thank You Cards should have the groom's name first.

Though tradition plays a part in many people's weddings, it doesn't necessarily have to be followed. It can come down to personal preference. Many couples are known to their families and friends in a certain order, and it may sound wrong to reverse it. If you have a personal preference then don't feel like you can't use it simply because tradition says so!

If you are a same-sex couple, there are basically two options to consider. You could place the names in alphabetical order, or you could go with your personal preference (if you have one!). Alphabetical naming gives the invitation a nice structure and is a good way to define the order if there are any disagreements. The beauty of same-sex weddings is that they are free from many of the old-fashioned traditions, so feel free to make your own rules.

Ultimately, we recommend that you go with your own preferences. Go with whatever you and your partner feel most comfortable with because, at the end of the day, it's your wedding. It is one of the biggest days a couple will have - a milestone moment!