Designing Your Wedding Reception Invitation

Wedding reception invitations can be a tricky affair. You want to make sure that your guests know what they're being invited to, when, and where. The good news is that it's perfectly acceptable to have an intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception. The key to phrasing this type of invitation is to announce your marriage, rather than invite guests to witness it.

If your wedding and reception are on different days, you will likely need two invitations for each event. If they're on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only, with a smaller insert card containing ceremony details.

It's also important to make sure that guests know whether they're invited to the ceremony, the reception, or both. All ceremony guests must be invited to the reception, but the same rule doesn't apply the other way around. You can have a small ceremony followed by a large reception.

When it comes to the wording, it's crucial to be clear that the ceremony has already taken place or is private, and that guests are being invited to a celebration of your marriage.

When to send wedding reception invitations

The timing of sending out your wedding reception invitations is crucial. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations arrive at the right time:

For Domestic Guests:

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work or planning travel. It also allows you to receive RSVPs earlier, helping you finalise seating charts and make adjustments to your guest list if needed.

For International Guests:

For guests travelling from overseas, it is advisable to send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance, or even up to a year if your wedding falls on a major holiday. The extra time is crucial for guests who need to plan their travel and accommodations. Sending invitations early ensures your special day is secured in their calendars, reducing the risk of last-minute conflicts.

For Destination Weddings:

If you're planning a destination wedding, sending invitations three months in advance is recommended. This gives your guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodations for your big day.

For Reception-Only Weddings:

If you're hosting a reception-only wedding, the timing of your invitations will depend on whether you're having a separate ceremony. If the ceremony and reception are on the same day, your reception invitation will serve as the main invitation. However, if the ceremony is held earlier in the day or on a different day, you'll need to send the reception invitation along with the rest of your invitation suite.

For Elopements or Small Ceremonies:

In cases where you've already had a small ceremony or eloped, and now want to celebrate with a bigger group, you can send out wedding reception invitations. These invitations can be less formal and reflect the theme of your party. They can also serve as an announcement of your marriage, even if you've already shared the news on social media.

Remember, the timing of your wedding reception invitations can vary depending on the specifics of your event. Always consider your guests' needs and try to give them enough notice to plan their attendance accordingly.

Who to invite

When it comes to wedding reception invitations, the wording is critical. One wrong phrase could confuse your guests or offend them, so it's important to be clear about who is and isn't invited to the ceremony and/or reception.

If you're having a small, intimate ceremony, followed by a larger reception, you'll need to create two guest lists: one for those invited to both the ceremony and the reception, and one for those invited to the reception only.

Start with your closest family members and friends. This includes your and your partner's parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as siblings' spouses and children. Your wedding party should also be at the top of this list, as well as close friends and extended family members.

If you're keeping your ceremony guest list tight, you can invite more distant friends and acquaintances to the reception. This could include school friends, parents' friends, religious or interest groups, casual friends, and social media contacts.

Tips for Sending Wedding Reception Invitations

• If the ceremony and reception are at separate venues, include a reception invitation or card outlining the details of the party, including the venue name and address, start and end times, and directions from the ceremony venue.
• If you've already had a small ceremony, you can send out wedding reception invitations as an announcement of your marriage and an invitation to celebrate.
• If your ceremony is intimate, allow ample time between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to avoid any awkwardness with guests not invited to the ceremony.
• When it comes to wording, avoid any phrases that hint at guests witnessing your marriage, such as "witness", "view", or "presence at their wedding". Instead, focus on celebrating your marriage.
• Include all the necessary details, such as location, address, attire or dress code, and after-party details, if applicable.
• Don't forget to include RSVP cards so you know how many guests to expect.

How to word the invitation

The wording of your wedding reception invitation is crucial to ensuring your guests have all the information they need and to avoid any confusion. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation:

Announce Your Marriage, Don't Invite Guests to Witness It:

It's important to phrase your invitation as an announcement of your marriage rather than an invitation to witness the ceremony. Here are some examples:

• "We exchanged vows in a private ceremony and would now like you to join us for a celebration."
• "Please join us for a reception celebrating the marriage of [Couple's Names]."
• "Join us for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dessert, and dancing to celebrate the marriage of [Couple's Names]."

Make it Clear That You're Already Married or Will Be by the Time of the Reception:

If guests receive an invitation, they may assume it's for the wedding ceremony. Make it clear that the invitation is for a celebration of your marriage, especially if the reception is at a later date. Here are some examples:

• "We eloped! Now we want to celebrate with you!"
• "Join us for a reception honouring the recent marriage of [Couple's Names]."
• "You are invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of [Couple's Names]."

Include All the Necessary Details:

Provide guests with all the information they need, such as the date, time, and location of the reception. If the ceremony and reception are at separate venues, include the address of the reception venue. You may also want to include attire or dress code, transportation details, and any after-party information.

Create Two Separate Guest Lists:

If you're having an intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception, you'll need two guest lists. One list will include those invited to the ceremony and reception, and the other list is for those invited to the reception only.

Consider Including an RSVP Card:

It's important to have a way for your guests to RSVP so you can plan accordingly. You can include RSVP cards with your invitations or opt for online RSVPs through your wedding website.

Choose Formal or Informal Wording:

The wording of your invitation can be formal or informal, depending on the style of your wedding. Here are some examples of each:

Formal Wording:

• "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage reception of their daughter [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at a private ceremony followed by a reception."

Informal Wording:

• "We said 'I do'! Now let's celebrate! Join us for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and dancing."
• "We're thrilled to announce our marriage and invite you to celebrate with us."

Send Invitations with Plenty of Notice:

It's generally recommended to send wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the event. If your reception is at a later date than the ceremony, send the reception invitations at the same time as the main invitations. If many guests will be travelling, consider sending invitations even earlier.

RSVP cards

Format and Content

The standard RSVP card includes key details such as:

• Full names of the couple
• Date and time of the reception
• Name and address of the reception venue
• RSVP deadline date

You can also include meal choices or other details to gather information from your guests.

Wording Ideas

• "The pleasure of your company is requested at [couple's names] wedding reception."
• "Kindly respond by [date]."
• "___ accepts with pleasure / ___ regrets that they cannot attend."
• "___ seats have been reserved in your honour."
• "Please RSVP by the [date]."

Design and Style

• Elegant scripts and calligraphy
• Minimalist and modern designs
• Rustic or bohemian themes
• Floral or greenery motifs
• Colour schemes that complement your wedding colours

Digital RSVPs

Instead of traditional RSVP cards, you could also consider including a QR code or a link to your wedding website, allowing guests to respond digitally. This option may be more convenient and environmentally friendly.

Timing

It is recommended to set your RSVP date three to four weeks before your wedding day. This will give you enough time to follow up on any missing responses and finalise numbers for your vendors.

Printing and Cost

You can find various options for printing your RSVP cards, ranging from DIY printing at home to using professional printing services. The cost of RSVP cards can vary depending on the quantity, quality, and customisation options you choose. Some online platforms offer affordable templates and printing services.

Design and printing

The design of your wedding reception invitation is crucial in ensuring your guests have all the information they need and that you are able to set the right tone for your event. You can choose to design your invitations from scratch or use a template. There are hundreds of graphic designs available with meticulously selected colour schemes and custom fonts. You can select from a range of themes, from classic to modern, traditional to minimalist, floral to rustic, and boho to simple black and white.

If you are having a religious or intimate ceremony, you may want to opt for a formal invitation. A formal, traditional invitation might include wording such as:

> "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage reception of their daughter Anne Elizabeth and James Lucas Williams on Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, two thousand and twenty, at half past six o'clock, Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, Mobile, Alabama."

If you are having a less formal ceremony, you might prefer an informal invitation with wording such as:

> "We eloped! Now we want to celebrate! Join us for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dessert, and dancing. You're invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of Ross & Rachel."

If your wedding and reception are on different days, you will likely need two invitations. If they are on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only, with a smaller insert card containing ceremony details. If you are having a destination wedding, you may wish to send out your invitations earlier than the standard six to eight weeks before the event.

You can choose to print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. If you are environmentally conscious, you could encourage your guests to respond to a QR code instead of sending RSVP cards.

Frequently asked questions