Wording Reception Details For Wedding Invitations: A Guide

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to navigating the nuances of a two-part event, such as a private ceremony followed by a large reception. This scenario is becoming increasingly common, with couples opting for intimate destination weddings or choosing to elope and then celebrating with a bigger party later. The key to successfully navigating this situation is clear and thoughtful communication. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation.

Etiquette for Wording Reception-Only Invitations

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, especially when it comes to the guest list. You may be considering a small, intimate ceremony with just close family, followed by a larger reception with friends. This is a popular choice for many couples, and it is considered perfectly acceptable etiquette to have a two-part wedding in this way.

Two Guest Lists

The first step is to create two separate guest lists. One list will be for those invited to the ceremony and reception, and the other list is for those invited to the reception only. It is important to stick to your decision and not be persuaded to add extra people to the ceremony guest list.

Two Invitations

The next step is to decide on the invitations. You have two options: print two different invitations or print one invitation and include a ceremony details card.

Option 1: Two Invitations

If your ceremony and reception are on different days, you will need two invitations for each event. One for the ceremony, and one for the reception. This option is more expensive but is a clear way to communicate the different events to your guests.

Option 2: One Invitation and Insert

If both events are on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only. Then, include a smaller insert card with ceremony details for those invited to the ceremony. This card will only be included in the envelopes mailed to guests who are invited to both events.

Wording

The key to phrasing this type of invitation is to announce your marriage, not invite guests to witness it. It is crucial to make it clear that the invitation is for a reception-only event. Here are some examples:

"Please join us in celebration at our wedding reception following the ceremony at seven o'clock in the evening."

"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."

"Just Married! Please join Jean and Scott in celebrating the joyous occasion with some dinner and dancing!"

Two Separate Guest Lists

When it comes to wedding invitations, traditional etiquette states that anyone invited to the wedding ceremony must also be invited to the reception. However, this rule does not apply the other way around. This means that you can have a small, intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception with a separate guest list.

If you are planning to have two separate guest lists, here are some tips and suggestions for wording your wedding invitations:

• Create two separate guest lists: one for guests invited to both the ceremony and reception, and another for guests invited to the reception only. This will help you organise your event and ensure that you have an accurate headcount for each part of your wedding.
• When it comes to invitations, you have a few options. You can choose to print two different invitations: one for the ceremony and reception, and one for the reception only. This option allows you to customise the wording and design for each guest list.
• Another option is to print a single invitation with reception details and include a separate insert card with ceremony details for those invited to the ceremony. This insert card will only be included in the envelopes mailed to guests attending both events.
• When wording your invitations, be clear and specific about which parts of the wedding guests are invited to attend. For those invited to the reception only, focus on celebrating your marriage rather than having them witness it. Here are some examples:

"Please join us at the wedding reception for [name] and [name] in celebration of their marriage."

"You are invited to a reception celebrating the wedding of [name] and [name]."

"The newlyweds [names] invite you to a reception honouring their marriage."

For guests invited to both the ceremony and reception, you can use more traditional wedding invitation wording on the main invitation and include a separate card with ceremony details. Here are some suggestions for wording the insert card:

"The honour of your presence is requested at a private ceremony."

"Please join us for an intimate ceremony."

"The pleasure of your company is requested at a private ceremony."

• Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to include RSVP cards in all invitations to get an accurate headcount for both events.
• Finally, remember that it is considered poor etiquette not to invite guests who attended the ceremony to the reception. Be mindful of this when creating your guest lists and try to set clear and consistent rules to avoid any tension or hurt feelings among your loved ones.

Including RSVP Cards

Key Information to Include:

• A clear deadline: It is recommended to set the RSVP deadline about a month before the wedding date, giving you enough time to finalise details with vendors.
• A line for guest names: Traditionally, this is known as the "M" line, where guests write their titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) and their names. Alternatively, you can use "Name(s)" for a more casual style.
• Number of guests attending: Clearly indicate how many people are invited to avoid confusion or unexpected plus-ones.
• Response options: Include simple response options such as tick boxes or fill-in-the-blank lines for "accept" or "decline."

Additional Information to Consider:

• Dietary requirements: It is important to collect information about any dietary restrictions or allergies to help with catering.
• Meal options: If you're offering a plated meal, give guests a choice of entrées on the RSVP card.
• Contact details: Include your contact information, such as a phone number, email address, or wedding website URL.
• Dress code: If not mentioned elsewhere, the RSVP card is a good place to inform guests of the dress code.
• Special requests: You can add a fun twist by asking for song requests, drink preferences, or advice for the newlyweds.

Wording Ideas:

The wording of your RSVP cards should match the style and tone of your wedding, whether it's formal, casual, or funny. Here are some examples:

Formal RSVP Wording:

• "We kindly request your response by [date]."
• "We would be delighted to attend."
• "We regretfully decline."
• "A favour of response is kindly requested before [date]."

Casual RSVP Wording:

• "Please watch us tie the knot. RSVP by [date]."
• "Will be there to celebrate."
• "Will be toasting from afar."
• "Will you be joining us? Please RSVP before [date]."

Funny RSVP Wording:

• "Will we see you when we say 'I do'? Please RSVP by [date]."
• "Damn it, can't make it."
• "Are you in? Please RSVP by [date]."
• "Check all that apply: Yes, I'll be there! / No, I will not be attending because: I'm...um...busy that day."

Designing the Invitation

The design of your wedding invitation is a very important part of the process. The invitation should be designed with two cards in mind. The main card should contain the reception-only invite wording and be mailed out to everyone on both guest lists. The second card should be an insert with ceremonial information and only be included for those invited to both parts of the day. This ensures that your guests have clear information and helps to limit any potential confusion or hurt feelings.

If you are planning to have a small ceremony, or even elope, but still want a big celebration, you can adjust the wording of a traditional wedding invitation to make it clear that the ceremony is private. Alternatively, you can send a reception-only invitation. This should be worded to announce your marriage, rather than inviting guests to witness it. For example, "The newlyweds [Names of Couple] invite you to a reception in honour of their recent marriage".

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

If you are printing two different invitations, you can use traditional wedding invitation wording for the ceremony invitation and add a small reception insert with after-party details. For example, "The honour of your presence is requested at a private ceremony on [date] at [time] [venue]".

If you are printing one invitation and including a ceremony details card, the main invitation should be printed with the reception information. The insert card can then include ceremony details for the smaller group of guests. This card can be more personal, with a note or a reference to the intimacy of the event.

The invitation will invite your guests to the reception, where they can expect all the merriment of a traditional reception: food, festivities, toasts, and dancing. It is good etiquette to make it clear that the wedding has already taken place, so guests are not left wondering if their invitation with the ceremony portion got lost in the mail.

Scheduling the Events

When it comes to scheduling the events of your wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind, especially if you're having a reception-only wedding or a private ceremony followed by a larger reception. Here are some tips to help you with the timing and scheduling:

Same-Day Ceremony and Reception:

If you're planning to have both your ceremony and reception on the same day, it's important to allow enough time between the two events. Here are some suggestions:

• Consider having your ceremony earlier in the day. This gives you and your intimate group of guests time to celebrate before heading to the reception. A post-ceremony champagne toast is a great way to mark the occasion!
• Plan the reception timeline carefully. Ensure you allow enough time for you and your ceremony guests to arrive at the reception, preferably at the same time as the rest of the guests. You don't want your reception guests to arrive too early and realise they weren't invited to the ceremony.
• If your reception invitation states a specific start time, consider having the space ready and the bar open a little earlier, just in case guests arrive early.
• Decide whether you want to jump straight into the cocktail hour or have a formal introduction before dinner so you can spend some time greeting your guests.

Ceremony and Reception on Different Days:

If you choose to have your ceremony and reception on different days, this can give you more flexibility with timing. Here are some tips for this scenario:

• You will likely need two separate invitations for each event, especially if they are held in different locations or countries.
• Wedding announcements or save-the-dates can be sent out ahead of the reception invitation for very formal events.
• If you're having a destination wedding, consider the travel time and costs for your guests. You may want to space out the ceremony and reception to give them enough time to arrange their schedules and budgets.
• When sending out invitations, mail them within a similar timeframe as you would for a traditional wedding, usually about 6 to 8 weeks before the event.

Remember, the scheduling of your events will also impact the wording of your invitations. Be sure to clearly communicate the timing and nature of your ceremony and reception to avoid any confusion among your guests.

Frequently asked questions