By Mustafa Bilgic · Last updated 20 June 2026

Same-Sex Wedding Invitation Wording (Two Brides / Two Grooms)

Q: Whose name goes first on a same-sex wedding invitation?

There is no rule, so the choice is entirely yours. Common approaches are alphabetical by first or last name, by which name simply sounds better read aloud, or by personal preference. Some couples alternate the order across different pieces of the suite. The only thing that matters is that both names carry equal weight.

Q: How do you word a same-sex invitation when parents are hosting?

List the hosts on the host line as you would for any wedding, then use 'the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Name]' or 'their son [Name] to [Name].' If both sets of parents host, name both couples and use 'at the marriage of their children.' The structure is identical to a different-sex invitation.

Q: What phrasing works for two brides or two grooms?

'At the marriage of' followed by both names is the cleanest, most inclusive phrasing and avoids any gendered role. 'Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage' is the most popular modern form. Both read naturally for two brides, two grooms, or any couple.

Q: Do you have to use 'bride' and 'groom' on the invitation?

No. Many same-sex couples skip those words entirely and simply use their names with 'the marriage of' or 'are getting married.' If you do want the terms, two brides or two grooms can both appear, but they are never required — names alone are always correct and often cleaner.

Q: Can you list courtesy titles for two brides or two grooms?

Yes, if you want a formal tone. Two brides might be 'Ms. Olivia Carter and Ms. Sophia Bennett'; two grooms 'Mr. James Bennett and Mr. Daniel Reyes.' Titles are optional on any modern invitation, so most same-sex couples simply use full names without them.

Two brides, two grooms — the wording is exactly as elegant, and exactly as flexible, as any other wedding's. The one question with no fixed answer (whose name goes first) is the one you get to decide freely. Here is everything else, with examples.

The short answer: Same-sex invitations follow the same six-part structure as any other. There is no rule about whose name goes first — order them alphabetically, by sound, or by preference. The cleanest, most inclusive phrasing is "at the marriage of [Name] and [Name]" or "together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage." Courtesy titles and the words "bride" or "groom" are entirely optional.

The only real question: name order

On a different-sex invitation, tradition put the bride's name first. With two brides or two grooms, that convention simply does not apply — which is freeing, not complicated. Pick whichever of these feels right to you:

Alphabetical — by first name or last name. Neutral and easy to defend if anyone asks.
By sound — say both orders aloud; one usually flows better. "Olivia and Sophia" versus "Sophia and Olivia."
By preference — there is nothing wrong with simply choosing. It is your wedding.
Alternate — some couples put one name first on the invitation and the other first on the website or signage, so neither always leads.

Whatever you choose, give both names equal visual weight — same size, same styling. That equality is the real etiquette here.

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Couple hosting — two brides

The most popular modern form works beautifully and needs no host line beyond the warm family credit.

Together with their families
Olivia Carter & Sophia Bennett
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, September 12, 2026
at 4:30 in the afternoon
The Rosewood Garden · Charleston, South Carolina
Dinner and dancing to follow

Couple hosting — two grooms

Identical structure; just the names change. "The marriage of" carries no gender, so it reads naturally for any couple.

With joyful hearts
James Bennett & Daniel Reyes
invite you to the celebration of their marriage
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 4:30 PM
The Old Mill, Charleston
Reception to follow

Formal, with titles

If your wedding is formal, the traditional structure adapts cleanly. Use courtesy titles for both partners and "the marriage of" to join them.

The honour of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Ms. Olivia Grace Carter
and
Ms. Sophia Anne Bennett
Saturday, the twelfth of September
two thousand twenty-six
at half after four o'clock
Saint Andrew's Church · Charleston, South Carolina

For the full set of formal conventions — spelled-out dates, honour-versus-pleasure, courtesy titles — see our guide to traditional wedding invitation wording, all of which applies here unchanged.

When parents are hosting

Crediting hosts works exactly as it does for any wedding. The host line names the parents; the body names the couple.

One set of parents hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Carter
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Olivia Grace
to
Sophia Bennett
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 4:30 PM
The Rosewood Garden, Charleston

Both sets of parents hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Carter
and Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett
invite you to the marriage of their children
Olivia Grace Carter
and
Sophia Anne Bennett
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 4:30 PM
Charleston, South Carolina

If your families are blended or remarried, the same options in our stepparents wording guide apply equally to same-sex weddings.

Inclusive phrasing at a glance

You want…	Try this phrasing
The most neutral, all-purpose line	at the marriage of [Name] and [Name]
Warm and modern	together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage
Joyful and casual	[Name] and [Name] are getting married — and you're invited!
Formal	request the honour of your presence at the marriage of [Name] and [Name]
To keep "bride/groom"	at the marriage of brides [Name] and [Name] / grooms [Name] and [Name]

Skip the words you don't need

Nothing requires the words "bride," "groom," "husband," or "wife" on an invitation. Most same-sex couples find the cleanest result is simply their two names joined by "and" with "the marriage of." Add titles or roles only if you genuinely want them — the invitation is correct, and lovely, without.

Carry it through the rest of the suite

Keep both names in the same order (or your chosen alternation) on the reply card, website, and envelopes so the whole suite feels intentional. Our wedding invitation etiquette guide covers addressing, plus-ones, and reply cards in a way that applies to every couple. And if you want the modern, couple-hosted voice throughout, our modern wedding invitation wording guide pairs naturally with everything above.

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Frequently asked questions

Whose name goes first on a same-sex wedding invitation?

There is no rule, so it is your choice. Common approaches are alphabetical by first or last name, by which order sounds better aloud, or simply by preference. Some couples alternate across the suite. What matters is that both names carry equal weight.

How do you word a same-sex invitation when parents are hosting?

List the hosts on the host line as for any wedding, then "the marriage of their daughter [Name] to [Name]" or "their son [Name] to [Name]." If both sets host, name both couples and use "the marriage of their children." The structure is identical to a different-sex invitation.

What phrasing works for two brides or two grooms?

"At the marriage of" with both names is the cleanest, most inclusive option. "Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their marriage" is the most popular modern form. Both read naturally for any couple.

Do you have to use "bride" and "groom" on the invitation?

No. Many couples skip those words entirely and use their names with "the marriage of" or "are getting married." If you want the terms, two brides or two grooms can both appear, but names alone are always correct and often cleaner.

Can you list courtesy titles for two brides or two grooms?

Yes, for a formal tone — "Ms. Olivia Carter and Ms. Sophia Bennett," or "Mr. James Bennett and Mr. Daniel Reyes." Titles are optional on any modern invitation, so most same-sex couples simply use full names without them.