By Mustafa Bilgic · Last updated 23 June 2026

Second Marriage Invitation Wording

A second wedding is just as worthy of a beautiful invitation. Because the couple usually hosts themselves, the wording is warmer and more personal. Here are examples — including how to involve children.

Quick answer: For a second marriage, the couple almost always hosts their own wedding, so the invitation opens with their names (or "Together with their families") rather than parents'. The tone is typically warm and celebratory — "invite you to share in their joy" works beautifully.

Couple hosting their own second wedding

The most common and gracious approach: the couple issues the invitation in their own names.

Emily Anderson & James Whitfield

invite you to share in their joy

as they exchange marriage vows

Saturday, the twelfth of September, 2026

at four o'clock in the afternoon

Riverside Gardens · Portland, Oregon

Warm, celebratory wording

Their hearts are full and their families are joined —

Emily & James

joyfully invite you to celebrate their marriage

Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 4:00 PM

The Old Barn, Asheville, NC

Dinner and dancing to follow

Including children in the invitation

When a second marriage blends families, naming the children is a lovely way to mark the new household. This works whether the children are young or grown:

Together with their children

Emily Anderson and James Whitfield

invite you to celebrate as their families become one

Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 4:00 in the afternoon

Riverside Gardens, Portland, Oregon

You can even have the children issue the invitation — "request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their parents" — for a touching, blended-family note. See stepparent wording for more on this.

When parents still host

It's entirely fine for parents to host a second wedding, especially for a younger remarrying couple. Use a standard host line — see both parents hosting or divorced parents wording if needed.

Etiquette notes for a second marriage

There's no etiquette rule against a formal invitation, a white dress, or a full celebration — celebrate exactly as you wish.
A previous marriage is never referenced on the invitation.
Hosting yourselves keeps the wording personal and modern — lean into it.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you word a second marriage invitation?

For a second marriage the couple usually hosts, so open with their own names: "Emily Anderson and James Whitfield invite you to share in their joy as they exchange marriage vows." Keep the tone warm and personal.

Who hosts a second wedding?

Most often the couple hosts their own second wedding, which is why the invitation is issued in their names. Parents can still host if they wish, especially for a younger remarrying couple, using a standard host line.

Can children be included in a second marriage invitation?

Yes, and it's a lovely touch for blended families. You can name the children — "Together with their children" — or even have the children issue the invitation to mark the families becoming one.

Is it okay to have a formal second wedding?

Absolutely. There is no etiquette rule limiting a second wedding's formality, attire, or scale. You can have a full, formal celebration with a traditional invitation if that's what you want.

Should a previous marriage be mentioned on the invitation?

No. A wedding invitation never references a prior marriage or divorce. It simply celebrates the couple marrying now, with the same gracious wording as any first wedding.