Rescheduling Your Wedding: Crafting The Perfect Postponed Invitation

When it comes to postponing a wedding, it's important to let your guests know as soon as possible to avoid any confusion or inconvenience. While it may be tempting to rely on word-of-mouth or social media, the best approach is to send out a formal announcement, especially to those who have already made travel arrangements. This can be in the form of a card or a mass email, clearly stating that the wedding is still on and that you're just changing the date. It's also a good idea to include a new date if you have one, along with a brief explanation if you're comfortable sharing. This way, your guests can adjust their plans accordingly and look forward to celebrating with you on the new date.

How to word a postponed wedding invitation: the basics

Postponing a wedding can be a tricky situation to navigate, and it's natural to feel unsure about how to communicate the change of plans to your guests. Here are some guidelines and suggestions to help you word your postponed wedding invitation effectively:

Informing Guests About the Postponement

It is essential to inform your guests about the postponement as soon as possible, especially if they have already made travel arrangements or accommodations. While word of mouth or personal phone calls are options, sending out a formal announcement is often the best approach to ensure everyone is informed. This can be done through mailed postcards, emails, or even a dedicated social media post or group message.

Wording the Postponed Invitation

When wording the postponed invitation, it is important to maintain a positive and gracious tone. Here are some key elements to include:

• Host Line: Start by including the names of the hosts, usually the couple and/or their parents. You can use phrases such as "Together with their families," "Together with full hearts," or "With hearts full of love and joy."
• Request Line: Extend an invitation to attend the rescheduled wedding. You can use phrases such as "request the honor of your presence," "request the pleasure of your company," or "invite you to celebrate with us."
• Couple's Names: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or based on personal preference.
• Date and Time: Provide the new date and time for the wedding, spelling them out in full for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon."
• Venue: Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, along with the city and state. If the reception is at a different location, mention it separately with its own details.
• Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If you have a specific dress code, such as black-tie, it is essential to include it on the invitation.
• Additional Information: You may include a separate response card or insert card with additional details such as your wedding website, registry information, or travel and accommodation suggestions.

Sample Wording for a Postponed Wedding Invitation

"Together with their families,

Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes

Request the honor of your presence at their wedding

Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four

At half after four in the afternoon

At [venue name and address]

Reception to follow at [reception venue name and address]"

Remember to send your postponed invitations with ample time for guests to adjust their plans and RSVP. This will also allow you to provide final numbers to your vendors and make any necessary adjustments to your wedding plans.

What to include in a postponed wedding invitation

Postponing a wedding can be a tricky situation, but it's important to let your guests know about the change of plans as soon as possible to avoid any confusion or inconvenience. Here are some key things to include in your postponed wedding invitation:

• Clear and concise wording: Be direct and clear in your wording to avoid any confusion. State that the wedding has been postponed and provide the new date and venue details if they have been finalised.
• Reason for postponement (optional): Depending on your situation and comfort level, you may choose to briefly explain the reason for the postponement. This can be especially helpful if there are extenuating circumstances, such as legal or health issues.
• New date and venue: If you have already set a new date and venue for the wedding, be sure to include this information in the invitation. If the new date is not yet confirmed, you can indicate that it will be announced at a later time.
• Information for out-of-town guests: If you have guests who are travelling from out of town, it's important to give them a heads-up as early as possible so they can adjust their travel plans accordingly.
• Accommodation and refund information: If your guests have already made accommodation bookings, provide them with information on how to modify or cancel their reservations. If you had booked room blocks, inform your guests about any changes to these arrangements.
• Contact information: Include your contact information, such as phone numbers or email addresses, to make it easy for guests to reach out with any questions or concerns.
• Update on the couple's status: If you are sending out postponement notices, it's a good idea to reassure your guests that you are still together and excited to celebrate with them at a later date. This can help dispel any concerns about the relationship.
• Format and tone: Consider the format and tone of your postponed invitation. A formal wedding typically calls for a more traditional and elegant style, while a casual wedding may allow for a more light-hearted and whimsical approach.
• Dress code (optional): If you have decided on a dress code for the wedding, you can include this information in the invitation. This is particularly helpful for guests who need to plan their attire in advance.
• Additional details: If there are other important details, such as changes to the wedding party or adjustments to the schedule, be sure to include them as well. You may also want to provide a wedding website or contact person for guests to refer to for further updates.

How to announce a postponed wedding

It's important to let your wedding guests know as soon as possible if your wedding is postponed. While it may feel like an awkward task, it's a necessary one to ensure your guests don't incur any unnecessary costs. Here are some steps to follow when announcing a postponed wedding:

Step 1: Notify Your Guests as Soon as Possible

It is considerate to inform your guests of the postponement as soon as you've made the decision. This will allow them to adjust their plans and avoid any financial losses, especially if they have already booked travel or accommodation.

Step 2: Use an Appropriate Communication Channel

While it may be tempting to rely on word of mouth or social media, it's best to use a more formal method of communication. Sending a card or letter is a good option, as it maintains the formality of the occasion. You could also use email, especially for guests who are further away or those you know are comfortable with digital communication.

Step 3: Be Clear and Concise in Your Message

In your announcement, be clear and direct about the change of plans. State that the wedding is postponed, and if you have a new date in mind, include that information as well. It's also important to mention that you are still together and engaged, just postponing the wedding. Here's an example:

"We wanted to let you know that we have decided to postpone our wedding, which was planned for Memorial Day weekend. We are still very much together and engaged, and we hope to celebrate with you at a later date. We will be in touch once we have confirmed the new date."

Step 4: Consider Including Practical Information

If your guests are likely to have made travel arrangements or booked accommodation, it's a thoughtful gesture to include some practical information in your announcement. Let them know that you understand the impact of the postponement and that they should feel free to cancel any bookings. You could say something like:

"We realize that some of you may have already made travel plans or hotel bookings. Please feel free to cancel any arrangements to avoid any financial losses. We will provide more details about the new date as soon as we can."

Step 5: Maintain a Positive Tone

Even though you are announcing a postponement, try to maintain a positive and hopeful tone in your message. Express your regret at not being able to celebrate with them as planned, but also your excitement about the future celebration. For example:

"We are so disappointed that we won't be able to gather with you as planned, but we are looking forward to celebrating with you when the time is right. We will be in touch with more details soon."

Step 6: Be Consistent in Your Communication

Ensure that you use the same messaging across all communication channels. This will help to avoid confusion and keep your guests informed in a clear and consistent manner.

Remember, it's important to be thoughtful and considerate when announcing a postponed wedding. Your guests will appreciate your honesty and directness, and they will be happy to celebrate with you whenever the time comes.

The best way to notify guests of a postponed wedding

There are a few steps you can take to notify your guests of a postponed wedding. Firstly, it is important to act quickly, especially if guests have already made travel or accommodation arrangements. You should notify your immediate family and any guests who have already booked their accommodation as soon as possible, to allow them to make any necessary changes or cancellations.

The next step is to send out a formal announcement to all your invited guests. This can be done via post, with a simple card stating that you are still together and thinking of postponing, with the new date if you have one. You could also include a line such as "Don't dust off your dancing shoes just yet, we're changing the date". This is more formal and respectful than a Facebook message or a mass email, and is more likely to be seen by guests who don't use social media.

You could also include a separate reception card with the new event details as part of the invitation suite, or provide a wedding website with all the new information. This is also a good place to include any additional information such as directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions.

Finally, it is a good idea to follow up with guests who have not responded to your change of plans by the RSVP deadline.

What to do if you've already sent out Save the Dates

If you've already sent out Save the Dates, the first thing to do is notify your guests of the change of plans as soon as possible. Email is the quickest way to do this, but you can also use group texts/chats, social media, or a combination of these methods. If you have a wedding website, update it with a short message about the postponement and any new details as soon as you can.

> "We hope your dancing shoes can wait a little longer; we're postponing our wedding. We're still utterly in love, but we're waiting to celebrate. Stay tuned for more news soon!"

>

> "We're rescheduling our wedding. We'll let you know when we'll be celebrating soon, but for now, please join us in prioritising love."

>

> "We've decided to postpone our wedding. We love you and want to see you, and all our family and friends when the time is right. We'll send you our new date soon. Thank you for understanding."

If you have a new date set, be sure to include it in your message. You can also include a reason for the postponement if you wish, but this is not necessary.

Once you have a new date and/or location finalised, it's time to send out new invitations or change-the-date cards. If your wedding was originally scheduled for eight months to a year away, or you're postponing until the following year, it's recommended to send out new save-the-date cards and invitations. If you've selected a new date but are still finalising the venue/location, you can still send out new save-the-dates. Update your wedding website with the new details and include the URL on your change-the-date cards.

If you're postponing by six months or less, you can notify your guests of the change personally and include information about the postponement with your formal invitations and on your wedding website. Ask your wedding stationer if it's possible to include an envelope insert with the updated details.

Frequently asked questions