Crafting Wedding Reception Invitation Wording: Etiquette And Examples

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to reception-only invites. The key is to be clear that guests are only being invited to the reception, not the ceremony. This can be done by explicitly stating that you are requesting their presence at the reception and providing clear details about the date, time, and venue. It is also important to make sure that guests know they are not invited to the ceremony, especially if both events are on the same day. One way to do this is to include a separate insert card with ceremony details in the invitations of those who are invited to both events. Another option is to have two separate invitations, one for the ceremony and reception, and one for the reception only. When it comes to wording, it's best to avoid phrases that hint at guests witnessing the marriage, such as presence at their wedding, and instead focus on celebrating the union.

Make it clear you're already married

If you're already married and want to make that clear on your wedding invitations, there are a few ways to word it. Here are some examples:

Emphasising the Celebration

• "Come join us in a celebration of marriage"
• "We got married! Come join us to party at [venue]"
• "We're married! Please join [names] for cocktails, dinner and dancing and help us celebrate the happy occasion!"
• "Love is patient, but we weren’t! Come celebrate our marriage and dance the night away with us"
• "We tied the knot! Our ceremony was small, but our love isn’t and neither is our desire to share the joy with you. Come celebrate with a big bash honouring our love"

Announcing the Marriage

• "We eloped! Please join [names] to celebrate the joyful occasion"
• "We exchanged vows in a private ceremony on [date] in [location]. Please join us for a celebration of our marriage"
• "Mr and Mrs [names] invite you to a reception in honour of their recent marriage"
• "The newlyweds [names] invite you to a reception in honour of their marriage"
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding reception of Mr and Mrs [names]"

Stating the Marriage Clearly

• " [Names] request the pleasure of your company for a wedding reception, following an intimate wedding ceremony with close friends and family"
• "Please join us at their wedding reception"
• "Please join [names] for cocktails, dinner and dancing to celebrate our marriage"

Combining Approaches

You can also combine these approaches, as in the following examples:

• "They’re already married! The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding reception of Mr and Mrs Martinez"
• "We are pleased to announce we got married. Join us at a formal celebration on the winery grounds"

Include essential information

The key to phrasing a reception-only invitation is to explicitly state that you are requesting a guest’s presence at the reception, not the wedding ceremony. It is also important to be clear about the date, time, and venue, especially if the reception is at a different location or on a different date.

You can also include other essential information such as the dress code or whether children are invited. While the design of the invitation is important, the wording is also a significant element.

Date and Time

• The date and time should be spelled out in full. For example, if your reception is on the sixteenth of September 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be: “Saturday, the sixteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon”.
• The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be lowercase. There is no “and” when spelling out the year.
• The time of day should be spelled out as “four o’clock” or “half after four o’clock”. Evening begins at five o’clock. From noon until four o’clock is considered afternoon.

Location

• List the venue name and city, state. For formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out.
• The venue’s street address is traditionally not included unless the venue is a private residence.
• Zip codes are not usually included.
• If the reception will be at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say, “Reception to follow” or “Dinner and dancing to follow.”
• If the reception is at a different location, you can list the venue on the following line or on a separate insert card, called a reception card.

RSVP Information

• RSVP cards are the more traditional and formal route, but you could also do online RSVPs as part of your wedding website.
• Set your RSVP deadline for three to four weeks before the wedding date. This will give you enough time to provide your caterer with a final headcount, which is usually needed about a week before the wedding.

Dress Code

• This is optional, but it can be helpful for guests. One exception: black-tie weddings must include the dress code on the invitation.
• If you don’t include wedding attire information on the invitation, guests will infer it based on the formality of the invitation itself. For example, if the invitation is formal, guests will likely anticipate a formal affair.

Wedding Website

• You don’t need to print your wedding website on the main invitation card. Instead, list it on a separate reception card or an additional information card.
• It’s also a good idea to have your wedding website URL (or the QR code) on your wedding save-the-date card.

Be explicit about requesting a guest's presence at the reception

When creating a wedding invitation for the reception only, it is important to be explicit about requesting a guest's presence at the reception. This means providing clear details about when and where the event will take place, as well as making it clear that the ceremony has already occurred or will be a private event. Here are some tips and examples to help you word your invitations:

Be Clear About the Type of Event

It is crucial to explicitly mention that the invitation is for a reception-only event. This can be done by using phrases such as "reception in celebration of their marriage" or "wedding reception following an intimate wedding ceremony." This will help set the right expectations for your guests and avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

Provide Detailed Information About the Event

When inviting guests to a reception-only wedding, it is important to include all the necessary details such as the date, time, and location of the event. Be sure to include the full address of the venue and specify whether the reception will take place on the same day as the ceremony or at a later date. This helps guests plan their attendance accordingly.

Emphasize the Celebration Aspect

Since the reception is a celebration of the couple's marriage, it is important to emphasize this aspect in the invitation wording. You can use phrases such as "join us in celebration" or "help us celebrate this happy occasion." This will create a festive and joyous tone for the event.

Examples of Reception-Only Invitation Wording

"The newlyweds [Names of the couple] invite you to a reception honouring their recent marriage. Please join us on [date] at [time] at [venue address]."

"We're married! Please join [names of the couple] for cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate our union. The reception will be held on [date] at [time] at [venue address]."

"Please join [names of the couple] for a wedding reception following an intimate ceremony. The reception will take place on [date] at [time] at [venue address]."

"You are cordially invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of [names of the couple]. Join us for an evening of festivities on [date] at [time] at [venue address]."

Remember to adapt these examples to fit your personal style and tone, whether you prefer a more formal or informal approach.

Identify the date, time, and location

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's crucial to be clear about the date, time, and location of the event, especially if you're only inviting guests to the reception. Here are some tips and examples to help you word your invitations effectively:

Be Clear and Explicit:

When inviting guests to a reception-only, it's important to explicitly state that you are requesting their presence at the reception and not the wedding ceremony. This can be done by specifically mentioning "reception" in the invitation and making it stand out through formatting or design choices.

Provide Detailed Information:

Clearly state the date, time, and location of the reception. If the ceremony and reception are on different days or at different venues, be sure to mention that. For example, you can say, "Please join us for a reception celebrating their marriage on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]."

Same-Day Reception:

If your ceremony and reception are on the same day, you may want to include only the time of the reception in the invitation to avoid confusion. For example, "Saturday, June 25, 2022, at half past five in the afternoon in Plymouth, Massachusetts."

Different Locations:

If the reception is at a different location from the ceremony, there's no need to include the ceremony location. Simply state the reception venue and address.

Private Residence Reception:

For receptions held at a private residence, provide the full address, including the house number and street name. You can also include a hand-drawn map for clearer directions.

Sample Invitation Wording:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception of their daughter Anne Elizabeth and James Lucas Williams on Saturday, the ninth of June, at half past six o'clock, The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue, New York, NY."

Remember, the key is to be clear and concise in your wording, providing all the necessary details about the date, time, and location of the reception. This will ensure your guests know exactly when and where to celebrate with you.

Include RSVP cards

RSVP cards are a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. They are useful for prompting guests to respond to your invite in a timely manner and help you organise the seating chart, menu and even music playlist. If you don't include RSVP cards, be sure to include wording on your formal wedding invitation, reception invitation or another enclosure card regarding how guests can accept or deny their request for attendance.

Here's what to include on your RSVP cards:

• Guest names: On a formal RSVP card, you should write "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. Having guests write in their own names guarantees that not only do you know who is attending your wedding, but also how to correctly spell everyone's name on the seating chart.
• Accept or decline: The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to learn who is coming to your wedding. So, naturally, you'll need an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invite. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• RSVP deadline: Set your RSVP deadline for three to four weeks before the wedding date to give you enough time to provide your caterer with a final headcount, which is usually needed one week before the wedding. Your RSVP deadline should be featured in a prominent place on the card.
• Meal preferences: If you'll be serving dinner at your wedding reception, mention the meal type (buffet or plated dinner) and leave a fill-in-the-blank line for guests to detail dietary restrictions.
• Special request line: Include a common one, such as song requests, or ask for guests' drink of choice to help you decide how to stock your bar.

If you're having a reception-only wedding, you'll need to include RSVP cards or online RSVPs as part of your invitations. Here's some wording inspiration:

• Kindly respond by [date]
• Please respond by [date]
• RSVP by [date]
• The favour of a reply is requested by [date]
• The pleasure of your company is requested by [date]

Frequently asked questions