Crafting Belated Wedding Reception Invites: A Guide

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, tradition usually involves listing the hosts of the wedding (often the bride's parents), followed by a request for the guest's company, the names of the couple, and the date, time, and location of the ceremony. However, this format can be adjusted to fit a variety of scenarios, including a belated wedding reception.

In the case of a belated wedding reception, it is important to clearly communicate to guests that they are only being invited to the reception and not the wedding ceremony. This can be done by using wording such as Please join us to celebrate the wedding reception of... or Request the pleasure of your company for a reception in celebration of their new marriage. It is also a good idea to include the married names of the couple if the invitations are being sent out after the wedding.

Additionally, it is recommended to give guests a few weeks' notice, especially if they are travelling from out of town. Including a wedding photo and specifying the dress code can also be helpful. It is also worth noting that gifts are not typically expected for a belated wedding reception, so it is best to avoid mentioning anything gift-related on the invitation.

What to include in the invitation

The invitation should make clear that guests are being invited to a reception only, and not the wedding ceremony. It should also be clear that the couple is already married. For example, you could say: "Join us in a celebration of our marriage".

If the invitations are being sent out after the wedding, use the couple's married names. If they are being sent out before the wedding, use the woman's maiden name.

It's a good idea to mention that the event will be casual or formal, and to specify the dress code. This can be done in a separate card included with the invitation.

If the reception is taking place on the same day as the ceremony, try to have the ceremony earlier in the day, so there's plenty of time for celebrations and photos before the reception begins. If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time on the invitation.

If the reception is at a different location to the ceremony, include this information on a separate line or on a separate insert card.

If you don't want guests to bring gifts, don't include a registry on the invitation or event website. You could also include a line such as: "No gifts please, just your presence is all that is needed".

> " [Names of couple] request the pleasure of your company for a reception in celebration of their new marriage"

> " [Names of couple] request the pleasure of your company for a wedding reception, following an intimate wedding ceremony with close friends and family"

> "The newlyweds [Names of couple] invite you to a reception in honour of their recent marriage"

Wording and etiquette

There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to the wording and etiquette of belated wedding reception invitations. Firstly, it is important to be clear that the wedding ceremony has already taken place. This can be done by using wording such as "Please join us to celebrate the wedding reception of Mr. and Mrs. [Couple's Names]" or "Join us for a reception celebrating our marriage". This will help set the right expectations for your guests.

Another important point to consider is the timing of the invitations. It is generally recommended to send out invitations four to six weeks in advance, especially if you have a lot of out-of-town guests. This will give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and increase the likelihood of attendance.

In terms of etiquette, it is important to note that traditionally, anyone invited to the wedding ceremony should also be invited to the reception. However, this belated reception breaks from tradition, and you can invite whoever you choose. It is also important to mention that gifts are not expected, as the wedding has already taken place. You can simply state "No gifts, please" or something similar.

When it comes to the design of the invitations, feel free to get creative! There are no strict rules or traditions for belated wedding receptions, so you can make it casual or formal, indoors or outdoors, and anywhere you like. You can also incorporate elements from your wedding, such as using your wedding colours or serving a similar cake.

Finally, don't forget to include the usual invitation details such as the date, time, and location of the reception, as well as any dress code or other relevant information for your guests.

How to address your wedding invitations

The way you address your wedding invitations will depend on who is hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the wedding, but nowadays, it is common for both sets of parents to host, or for the couple to host themselves or with their families.

If the bride's parents are hosting, their names are listed at the top of the invite, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in an order that looks best with the invitation design.

If both sets of parents are hosting, you can include both sets of names, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you are including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.

If the couple is hosting, you can skip the host line and instead start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

If the couple is hosting with their families, you can include a line such as "Together with their families".

If you want to include the name of a deceased parent, you will need to rearrange the wording. For example:

> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honor of your presence at their wedding...

The couple's names should still take centre stage a few lines down if they haven't been included in the host line. Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. For same-sex couples, you can choose to list names in alphabetical order or simply in the order that sounds best.

Other Tips for Addressing Wedding Invitations

• It is traditional to spell out the date and time of the wedding in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon".
• The venue's street address is usually not included unless it is a private residence or omitting it would be confusing. The city and state are usually written out in full.
• If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If it is at a different location, include it on a separate line or on a separate reception card.
• The dress code can be included in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation. If it is not included, guests will infer the dress code from the formality of the invitation.
• If you are having an adults-only wedding, address your invitations carefully. Only include the names of the invited adult guests on the envelopes.
• Do not include your wedding website or registry information on the main invitation card. Include this information on a separate insert card instead.

When to send wedding invitations

The timing of sending out wedding invitations depends on the nature of your wedding. If you are hosting a destination wedding or are getting married over a holiday, it is advisable to mail your invitations three months ahead of time. This will give your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations.

For all other weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations between six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline ensures that your guests have enough notice, especially if they need to request time off work or make other arrangements. It also allows you to receive RSVPs and finalize your guest list in time for the caterer and seating chart preparations.

If you are planning a belated wedding reception, a good rule of thumb is to give guests a few weeks' notice, ideally four to six weeks. This is especially important if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, as it gives them time to book travel and accommodation. Sending invitations with plenty of notice will increase the likelihood of your guests' attendance and will allow them to make the necessary arrangements to be a part of your celebration.

How much time to give guests to RSVP

When it comes to wedding belated reception invitations, it's important to give your guests enough time to RSVP while also not giving them too much leeway, which might cause them to forget or procrastinate. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you with the timing of your RSVPs:

• It is recommended to send your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding, and then give your guests four to five weeks to RSVP. This timeframe allows your guests to figure out their attendance and make any necessary travel arrangements.
• Set your RSVP deadline to be two to four weeks before the wedding day. This gives you enough time to finalise the guest list, create a seating chart, and share the final guest count with your vendors, such as the caterer.
• For destination weddings or weddings with many out-of-town guests, consider giving a longer RSVP window. You can send invitations about four months in advance and set the RSVP deadline for two months before the wedding.

Tips for Encouraging Timely RSVPs:

• Make it easy for your guests to respond by including a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitation.
• Provide multiple options for RSVPing, such as mail-in cards and digital submissions through your wedding website.
• Ensure the RSVP date is clear and prominently displayed on the invitation card.
• Choose wording that clearly indicates a response is requested, as some guests may not understand the acronym RSVP.
• Include an engaging call to action on the response card, such as requesting a song request or a favourite memory of the couple.
• If you haven't received a response by the deadline, don't hesitate to follow up with a friendly phone call or text the day after the RSVP date has passed.

Frequently asked questions