George Boyle
When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide guests with essential information about the ceremony and reception, including dates, times, and locations, so they know when and where to show up. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, couples have several options for how to convey this information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time on invitation | Spell out the time in full, e.g. "half after three o'clock" or "four o'clock" |
| Use "half after" instead of "half past" for times on the half-hour | |
| Write "noon" for 12 pm | |
| Use "in the morning", "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" for times between 8-10 am and after 5 pm | |
| For a casual wedding, write the time in numerals, e.g. "4pm" | |
| Reception time on invitation | If the reception follows the ceremony in the same location, write "reception to follow" |
| If the reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with the time and location |
What You'll Learn
Reception details on a separate card
If your wedding ceremony and reception are at different venues, it's a good idea to include a separate reception card with your invitation. This will ensure your guests have all the information they need to get to the right place at the right time.
- Include the name and address of your reception venue.
- If there is a break between the ceremony and reception, include the start time of the reception.
- If you are hosting a cocktail hour, be sure to include this.
- You may also list attire notations, such as "black-tie" or "cocktail attire".
- If the reception is adults-only, you can list this on the card, although traditionally this is considered rude.
If you have a lot of information to convey, you could include a wedding website on your invitations, where guests can find more details.
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Reception time on the invite
When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the main goal is to provide guests with enough information so that they know when and where the wedding will take place and can arrive on time.
The traditional way to write the time on a wedding invitation is to spell it out completely, e.g. "half after three o'clock" or "four o'clock". The time of day should be written in lowercase letters, and you do not need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 am or pm. For more casual weddings, you can write the time using numerals, e.g. "4pm" or "5:30pm".
If the reception follows the ceremony in the same location, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. However, if the reception is at a different location or several hours later, it is best to include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.
> Please join us for a reception at six o'clock in the evening.
> JW Marriott Houston Downtown
> 806 Main Street
> Houston, Texas
If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, include the line "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. If the reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with the event details.
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Reception at a different venue
If your wedding ceremony and reception are taking place at different venues, it's a good idea to include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite to share all the details. This is especially important if there is a large chunk of time between the ceremony and reception or if the reception is at a different location.
- Provide clear and concise information: On the reception card, include the reception time, venue name, and address. You may also want to include a line such as "Reception to follow at [time]" on the main invitation to indicate that the reception will be held at a separate venue.
- Consider the travel time between venues: Keep travel time between the ceremony and reception sites to 30 minutes or less, and ideally no more than an hour. Take local traffic trends and the weather forecast into consideration when choosing your venues.
- Provide accurate maps and directions: Include maps and directions for both locations with the invitations or on your wedding website. This will help your guests easily navigate to the correct locations.
- Mind the gap: If there is a significant gap between the ceremony and reception, let your guests know in advance so they can plan their time accordingly. You can also list nearby activities on an invitation insert or your wedding website to keep them entertained.
- Organise parking in advance: Some venues may have limited parking options or challenging roadways. Organise designated parking areas with the venue managers or consider booking a shuttle service for your guests.
- Allow for decor and setup: If you're moving to a different venue for the reception, you'll need to transport decor, floral arrangements, and other essential items. Make a list of everything you'll need and ask your Maid of Honor or a trusted family member to help with the setup.
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Reception card wording
The reception card is an important part of your wedding invitation suite. It provides guests with essential information about the celebration that follows the ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions for crafting the perfect reception card wording:
Host Line
The host line is a traditional element that acknowledges the hosts of the wedding. If the reception is hosted by the couple's parents or family members, their names are included. For example:
> Together with their families, [Couple's Names] invite you to the reception celebration.
If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, a warm and welcoming introduction can be used:
> Together with full hearts, [Couple's Names] invite you to join the festivities.
Request Line
The request line is an invitation for guests to attend the reception. Here are some examples:
> Request the pleasure of your company
> Request the honour of your presence
> Invite you to celebrate with them
> Would love for you to join them
Reception Information
The reception card should include essential details such as the reception venue's full name and address. If the reception starts immediately after the ceremony, you can use "following the ceremony" or "reception to follow." If there is a cocktail hour or specific dinner and dancing start times, include those as well. Here's an example:
> Reception immediately following the ceremony
> The Westin Grand Ballroom
> 123 Main Street, City, State
> Cocktail hour at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm
Additional Details
The reception card is also an opportunity to provide guests with additional information. This can include transportation arrangements, dress code, or any unique aspects of the reception, such as:
> Please join us for a champagne toast at 8:00 pm
> Black-tie attire suggested
> Shuttle service provided from the ceremony to the reception venue
Formatting and Design
The reception card can be designed to match the style and theme of your wedding invitations. "Reception" is the standard heading, but alternatives such as "Celebrate," "Dinner and Dancing," or "The Celebration Continues" are also popular.
For a formal reception card, include a request line similar to the invitation. Use "the pleasure of your company" for receptions at secular locations. If the reception has a specific theme or colour scheme, you can incorporate those elements into the design of the card.
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Reception card formatting
If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, include the line "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. However, if your reception is at a different location, it should be treated as a separate event. Include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.
> Please join us for a reception at six o'clock in the evening. JW Marriott Houston Downtown. 806 Main Street. Houston, Texas.
If your reception follows several hours after the ceremony and/or is at a different location, it is best to include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite to share all the details.
> Please join us after the ceremony for dinner and dancing. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The Foundry at Herban Feast. 4136 First Avenue South. Seattle, Washington.
If you choose not to include an activity card in your invitation suite, make sure you list this information on your wedding website.
An information card can be enclosed with your wedding invitation if you would like to provide any additional wedding details to guests: directions, transportation information, lodging suggestions, etc.
If your reception is at a different venue, you can include the location beneath the ceremony details or on a separate reception card depending on the space available.
For jam-packed wedding weekends, it's a good idea to have separate itinerary cards with the respective date, time, and location of each event. These can be sent out with your wedding invitations or included in wedding welcome bags.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary, but it is a good idea to include it to ensure your guests have all the information they need. If your reception is at the same location and starting immediately after the ceremony, you can simply write "reception to follow".
If your reception is at a different location or starting several hours after the ceremony, it is best to include a separate reception card with your invitation. This card should include the time and location of the reception.
For formal invitations, write out the time in full using the placement of hands on a clock, e.g. "half after three o'clock". For informal invitations, you can use numerals, e.g. "3:00 pm".
You can include additional reception details such as dress code, transportation, or a wedding website link on a separate information card.
