Destination Wedding Invitation Wording: Reception Details At Home

Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and when it comes to destination weddings, there's a whole other level of complexity. One of the most important aspects of wedding planning is inviting your guests, and with destination weddings, there's a unique set of logistics that need to be communicated. The key is to keep the invitation simple yet exciting, providing essential details like the wedding date, time, location, and RSVP information, while also inspiring your guests to book that flight and join you on your special day.

In this guide, we'll dive into the world of destination wedding invitation etiquette, offering tips and examples to ensure your invitations are not only informative but also reflect the tone and style of your celebration. From traditional and formal to whimsical and fun, we'll explore different wording ideas to excite your guests and set the right expectations. We'll also tackle tricky situations, such as addressing no kids policies or how to indicate that gifts are not expected. So, get ready to dust off your passport and let's embark on this exciting journey of destination wedding invitation wording together!

Wording for pre-wedding events

Planning pre-wedding events? Here are some tips and suggestions for the wording of your invitations to ensure your guests have all the information they need.

If you are planning pre-wedding events, you will need to include these details in your invitation. If you are sending multi-card invitation suites or a multi-page booklet-style invitation, you can include the details there. If you don't have room, you can direct your guests to your wedding website URL for more information.

Examples of Wording for Pre-Wedding Events

> "Join us for welcome cocktails after our rehearsal dinner at [venue name] at [time]."

> "Come say hi to the bride and groom before the big day! Stop by [venue name] around [time] on [date]."

> "Join us at [venue name] at [time] for a casual get-together the night before the wedding."

> "We're going to [venue name] for drinks after our rehearsal dinner. Join us if you're around!"

> "We're going out to [venue name] for drinks! You're welcome to join us if you're in town."

> "We're getting married! Join us the night before the wedding for a casual get-together at [venue name] at [time]."

> "Come and join us for a pre-wedding celebration at [venue name] at [time] on [date]."

> "We're having a welcome cocktail reception and rehearsal dinner before the wedding. See our wedding website for details.

How to indicate you want no gifts

When it comes to destination wedding invitations, there is a lot of information to communicate, and it can be a challenge to find the right wording. Here are some tips and suggestions for indicating that you would prefer no gifts, while still maintaining a polite and gracious tone:

Keep it Simple and Gracious

It is best to avoid printing "no gifts" directly on the invitation. Instead, use a gracious phrase such as "Your presence is the only gift we wish to receive." This way, you convey that their attendance is the most important thing to you while also subtly indicating that you do not expect gifts.

Provide Alternative Options

If you know that some guests will still want to bring a gift, you can suggest alternative options. For example, you could include a fun poem asking guests to contribute to a honeymoon fund or specify that you would appreciate donations to a charitable cause close to your heart. This approach ensures that guests who want to give a gift can do so in a way that aligns with your wishes.

Include Information in the Invitation Suite

You can include a separate card within the invitation suite that provides specific details about gifts. This card could state your preference for no gifts or direct guests to a wedding website where they can find more information. This approach keeps the main invitation focused on the celebration while providing a clear and polite way to communicate your wishes.

Sample Wording Ideas:

• "We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts."
• "Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please."
• "Your presence at our wedding is more important to us than a gift. However, if you wish to contribute, we would appreciate money towards our honeymoon."
• "As we already have a home together, we kindly request no gifts. Your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could receive."
• "We have zero expectations for gifts. However, if you insist, we suggest making a donation to your favourite charity or contributing to our honeymoon fund. Either option would make us very happy."

Inviting guests to a hometown reception after the destination wedding

When it comes to inviting guests to a hometown reception after a destination wedding, it's important to keep the wording clear and concise to avoid any confusion. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation:

Keeping the Wording Clear and Concise

It is advisable to send separate save-the-dates and invitations for the destination wedding and the at-home reception. This helps to avoid any confusion and ensures that guests know exactly what they are invited to. In the save-the-dates and invitations, use wording that clearly distinguishes between the two events.

Wording Examples for Save-the-Dates and Invitations

For the destination wedding save-the-date:

> Save the Date. [Bride] and [Groom] are getting married in [Destination] on [Date]. Formal invitations to follow.

For the at-home reception save-the-date:

> Save the Date for the stateside wedding reception of [Bride] and [Groom]. The couple will marry in a small, intimate wedding ceremony in [Destination], and invite you to join them for a celebration upon their return home on [Date].

For the destination wedding invitation:

> [Bride] and [Groom] request the honor of your presence as we exchange vows on [Date] and [Time] in [Venue], [Destination].

For the at-home reception invitation:

> [Bride] and [Groom] exchanged marriage vows on [Date] in [Destination]. Please join us for a hometown reception to celebrate their marriage on [Date] at [Time] [Venue] [Address], [City], [State].

Additional Tips for Wording Your Invitations

When it comes to the invitation wording, feel free to inject some personality and excitement. If you're having a beachfront wedding, use fun and festive language. If your celebration is more formal and sophisticated, reflect that in the wording.

It's also a good idea to include practical information, such as travel and accommodation tips, on your wedding website. This keeps the invitations concise while still providing guests with the details they need to plan their attendance.

No-Pressure Wording

If you're concerned about the feasibility of your guests attending the destination wedding, consider adding a "no-pressure" note to your wedding website. Something like:

> We completely understand the cost and time off work may not be achievable for some. Please join us if you are able; we will gladly accept your warm wishes from afar!

Remember, clear and thoughtful wording will ensure your guests feel considered and excited to celebrate with you, whether at the destination wedding or the hometown reception.

Sending invitations to a hometown reception before the destination wedding

Sending out invitations for a hometown reception before a destination wedding can be tricky, and you want to ensure your guests have all the details without causing confusion. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation:

Keep Guests Informed

It is essential to provide guests with clear information about the wedding and reception, including dates, times, and locations. This will help them plan their attendance and avoid any misunderstandings.

Use Clear and Concise Wording

When creating your invitations, opt for clear and concise wording that is easy for guests to understand. Avoid using overly complex or flowery language that may confuse or overwhelm your guests.

Include All Necessary Details

While you want to keep the wording simple, be sure to include all the essential details such as the date, time, and location of both the destination wedding and the hometown reception. This will help guests know exactly what to expect and when to be where.

Consider a Multi-Card Invitation Suite

If you have a lot of information to convey, consider using a multi-card invitation suite or a multi-page booklet-style invitation. This will allow you to provide guests with all the necessary details without crowding the invitation card.

Excite Your Guests

Use your invitation wording to spark excitement among your guests! Mention the ocean, sun, or travel to get them eager about your destination wedding. Emphasize how important their presence is to you, so they feel special and motivated to attend.

Provide a Clear Call to Action

Don't forget to include a clear call to action, such as asking guests to RSVP by a specific date or visit your wedding website for more details. This will make it easier for guests to take the next step in responding to your invitation.

Example Wording for Hometown Reception Invitations

"We're about to depart on a romantic trip, which is only the start!

Lisa Smith and John Jacobs will tie the knot on November 18, 2024, on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship.

Please join us for a reception when we return on November 30, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Jacobs Estate, 111 East Hamilton Road, Austin, Texas, 78739."

Keep Guests Informed About Both Events

If some guests are invited to both the destination wedding and the hometown reception, you can include the reception invitation with the destination wedding invitation. Be sure to word them differently to avoid confusion and clearly indicate which event each invitation is for.

Send Invitations in a Timely Manner

Remember to send your invitations with enough lead time, especially for a destination wedding. Guests will need time to budget, plan travel, and make necessary arrangements. Sending invitations around 4-6 months in advance is generally a good timeframe.

Invitation etiquette

When it comes to your destination wedding invitations, it's important to consider both the etiquette and the wording to ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you navigate the process:

What to Include

While you want to keep your invitations simple and elegant, there are several key details that you should include:

• The wedding date and time
• The city, state, or country where the wedding will take place
• The RSVP date and method
• Your wedding website link

For destination weddings, it's a good idea to create a wedding website where guests can find additional information such as travel and accommodation tips, a local map or itinerary, and details about any extra events like a welcome dinner or recovery lunch.

Timing

Give your guests plenty of time to prepare, especially if they need to budget for travel or make arrangements for work or childcare. Send your save-the-dates around 9-12 months in advance for a destination wedding, followed by formal invitations 4-6 months before the big day.

Wording

The wording of your invitations should reflect the tone and formality of your event. If you're planning a black-tie affair in a romantic European city, opt for sophisticated and traditional language. For a more casual beachfront wedding in Mexico, use fun and festive wording. Here are some examples:

• "Pack your bags, book your flights, and join us in Hawaii for a few romantic nights! (Name) and (Name) are getting married at Diamond Beach Resort, Honolulu, at 5 pm. For more details and to RSVP, please visit our website: (insert website link)."
• "Our greatest adventure awaits! Please join us for the wedding of (Name) and (Name) at San Giorgio Vineyard, Siena, Tuscany. For accommodation details and to RSVP, visit our website: (insert website link)."

No Gifts, Please

Due to the costs involved in attending a destination wedding, it's considered poor etiquette to include gift registry details on your invitations or wedding website. Instead, let your guests know that their presence is present enough. You can also include a gracious sentence such as, "Your presence is the only gift we wish to receive."

Plus Ones and Children

When it comes to destination weddings, it's important to be generous with plus ones. Asking someone to travel solo to your wedding can be a big ask. Similarly, consider inviting children if their parents are invited, especially if it's an overseas trip.

Keeping it Clear

If you're having a destination wedding followed by a reception back home, it's crucial to send separate save-the-dates and invitations for each event. Use clear wording to distinguish between the two, so guests know exactly what they're invited to. For example:

• "Save the Date. BRIDE and GROOM are getting married in Jamaica on X date. Formal invitations to follow."
• "Save the Date for the stateside wedding reception of BRIDE and GROOM. The couple will marry in a small, intimate ceremony in Jamaica and invite you to join them for a celebration upon their return on X DATE."

For the at-home reception invitations, you can word it as an announcement of their wedding and an invitation to the hometown celebration. For example:

"Bride and Groom exchanged marriage vows on DATE in Jamaica. Please join us for a hometown reception to celebrate their marriage on DATE at TIME, VENUE ADDRESS, CITY, STATE."

Private Residence

If your reception will be held at a private residence, you can simply state the city and state on the invitation and include the address on a separate directions card. You may also use wording such as "The (last name) residence" followed by the address.

Frequently asked questions