Crafting Post-Wedding Reception Invitation Wording For A Catered Event

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to have a small, intimate wedding ceremony and a larger reception. It could be that the ceremony venue has a strict capacity, or that the couple wants the ceremony to feel extremely personal and meaningful. Whatever the reason, it is crucial to make sure that guests know whether they are invited to the ceremony, the reception, or both.

If the ceremony and reception are at separate venues, a reception invitation or card should be included with the rest of the invitation suite. This should include the name and address of the reception venue, as well as the start and end times. It can also be helpful to include directions from the ceremony venue to the reception venue.

If the couple is already married, the reception invitation can be less formal and can be used as an announcement of the marriage. In this case, it is essential to make it clear that guests are invited to celebrate the marriage, rather than witness it.

- 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.

- Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at a reception in honour of Mr. and Mrs. James Lucas Williams.

The importance of clear wording

Clear wording is essential when it comes to wedding invitation etiquette. The wording should leave no room for ambiguity, ensuring that guests understand the details of the event and their attendance. Here are a few reasons why clear wording is crucial:

• Avoiding Confusion: Clear wording ensures that guests understand the nature of the event. In the case of a reception-only invitation, guests need to know that they are not invited to the ceremony itself. This prevents confusion and avoids guests accidentally showing up at the wrong event.
• Managing Guest Expectations: By using precise wording, you can manage your guests' expectations. For example, if you are hosting a casual, catered affair, using words like "reception" or "wedding words" may give the impression of a more formal event. Clear wording helps guests understand the level of formality and the type of celebration to expect.
• Providing Necessary Details: Effective wording conveys all the necessary information, such as the date, time, venue, dress code, and any other relevant details. This ensures that guests have a clear understanding of the event's logistics and can plan accordingly.
• Avoiding Faux Pas: Certain phrases and words should be avoided in wedding invitation wording to prevent offending or confusing guests. For example, when inviting guests to a reception-only event, it is important to focus on celebrating the marriage rather than hinting at witnessing the ceremony. Clear wording helps you navigate these nuances and avoid any social missteps.
• Facilitating Planning: Clear wording assists in the planning process by allowing you to create accurate guest lists and manage RSVPs effectively. It helps you organize the event seamlessly, ensuring that guests invited to the ceremony and reception receive the appropriate invitations and details.
• Reducing Inquiries: Well-worded invitations reduce the likelihood of guests contacting you for clarification. When the details and nature of the event are communicated effectively, guests have fewer questions, saving you time and effort in responding to individual inquiries.

When crafting your reception invitation wording, aim for clarity, precision, and a tone that aligns with the level of formality you intend. This will ensure that your guests have a clear understanding of the event and their participation, making it easier for them to celebrate this special occasion with you.

The two-guest-list approach

If you're planning a private wedding ceremony with a large reception afterward, it's crucial to get your wedding reception-only invitation wording right. This approach involves creating two separate guest lists: one for the wedding ceremony and reception, and one for the reception only.

• Make sure that all ceremony guests are also invited to the reception. This is the only hard-and-fast rule when it comes to wedding guest lists.
• Create two separate guest lists: one for guests invited to the ceremony and reception, and another for those invited to the reception only.
• If your wedding and reception are on different days, you will likely need two separate invitations for each event.
• If both events are on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only. Include a smaller insert card with ceremony details, which will only be included in envelopes mailed to guests invited to both events.
• Ensure that a reply card is included in every envelope so that you can get an accurate headcount for both events.

Private ceremony, same-day reception:

#### Formal, bride's parents hosting:

> 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 twenty at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

#### Informal, bride's parents hosting:

> With great joy Mr. and Mrs. John Smith kindly invite you to a reception celebrating the marriage of their daughter Anne Elizabeth and James Lucas Williams Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, 2020 at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

Ceremony and reception on different days:

#### Formal, bride's parents hosting:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at a reception in honour of Mr. and Mrs. James Lucas Williams Saturday, the tenth of October two thousand twenty at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

#### Informal, couple hosting:

> Please join Anne and James Williams for cocktails, dinner and dancing to celebrate our marriage on Saturday, the tenth of October, 2020 at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

The two-invitation approach

Planning the Guest List

Create two separate guest lists: one for guests invited to the ceremony and reception, and another for those invited to the reception only. It is important to remember that all ceremony guests must be invited to the reception as well. When deciding on the guest list for the ceremony, consider factors such as venue capacity, religious restrictions, and the desired level of intimacy.

Timing and Logistics

If both events are on the same day, consider having the ceremony earlier to allow ample time for celebrations and photos before the reception. If the events are on different days or even weeks apart, it gives you more flexibility but requires careful planning to ensure a smooth transition between the two.

Wording and Design

The key to phrasing the reception-only invitation is to announce your marriage without inviting guests to witness it. Here are some examples of wording for a formal, bride's parents-hosting reception invitation:

> 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 twenty at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

For an informal reception invitation with the bride's parents hosting, you could use wording such as:

> With great joy, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith kindly invite you to a reception celebrating the marriage of their daughter Anne Elizabeth and James Lucas Williams. Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, 2020, at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

If the ceremony and reception are on different days, a formal, bride's parents-hosting invitation could be worded as follows:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at a reception in honour of Mr. and Mrs. James Lucas Williams. Saturday, the tenth of October two thousand twenty at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

For an informal couple-hosting invitation:

> Please join Anne and James Williams for cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate our marriage on Saturday, the tenth of October, 2020, at half past six o'clock Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

If you print two different invitations, one for the ceremony and one for the reception, you can include a small insert card with the ceremony details. Here is an example of formal wording for a ceremony insert card:

> The honour of your presence is requested at a private ceremony on Saturday, the twenty-second of September two thousand twenty at eleven o'clock in the morning St. Paul's Episcopal Church Mobile, Alabama

Practical Considerations

Don't forget to include RSVP cards in your invitations to get an accurate headcount for both events. Also, consider including directions or transportation information for guests, especially if the ceremony and reception venues are different.

The insert card approach

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

If your wedding and reception are on different days, you'll need two invitations for each event. However, if both events are on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only, with a smaller insert card providing the ceremony details. The insert card with ceremony details will only be included in envelopes mailed to guests who are invited to both events.

Quick Tips:

• All ceremony guests must be invited to the reception, but the rule doesn't apply the other way around.
• Make two separate guest lists: one for those invited to the ceremony and reception, and one for those invited to the reception only.
• If both events are on the same day, include a small insert card with the ceremony details in the invitations for guests attending both.

Wording Ideas for the Insert Card:

• The honour of your presence is requested at a private ceremony on [date] at [time] at [venue].
• The pleasure of your company is requested at a private ceremony on [date] at [time] at [venue].
• Please join us for an intimate ceremony on [date] at [time] at [venue].

Reception Invitation Wording Ideas:

• 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 [couple's names].
• [Couple's names] invite you to join them for a celebration with the newlyweds.
• Mr. and Mrs. [parents' names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage reception of their daughter/son [couple's names].
• [Couple's names] will be married in a small ceremony before family. Please join us in celebrating their marriage on [date] at [venue].

Tips for Wording Your Invitations:

• Announce your marriage but avoid wording that invites guests to witness it.
• Stay away from words like "witness", "view", or "presence at their wedding".
• Focus on celebrating your marriage rather than having guests witness the ceremony.
• Be honest about keeping the ceremony small to avoid hurt feelings.

With these tips and examples, you can create clear and elegant insert cards and reception invitations for your special day.

The RSVP card

RSVP Date:

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of three to four weeks before the wedding date. This will give you enough time to finalise the details with your caterers and create a seating plan. The RSVP card should be the first piece of information on the card. Here are some examples of wording for the RSVP date:

• "Kindly respond by [date]"
• "The favour of a reply is requested by [date]"
• "Please respond by [date]"

Guests' Names:

The next section of the RSVP card should include a line for guests to write their names. This can be indicated with an "M" or "Name(s)" followed by a line.

Accepting or Declining the Invitation:

Include checkboxes or another clear way for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This can be as simple as "Accepts [ ] Regrets [ ]" or something more creative and personalised.

Additional Information:

You may also want to include additional information on the RSVP card, such as meal choices or a song request line. For example, "We promise to dance if you play ___________".

• "The favour of a reply is requested by [date]. M ____ Accepts [ ] Regrets [ ]. Please initial your menu choice: [ ] Chicken [ ] Fish [ ] Vegetarian"
• "Kindly respond by [date]. Name(s): ______. Accepts with pleasure [ ] Regretfully declines [ ]. We promise to dance if you play ___________."
• "Please respond by [date]. Name(s) ______. ___ Accept ___ Decline. Meal choices: ___ Chicken ___ Fish ___ Vegetarian"

Frequently asked questions