Wording Wedding Invites: Selecting Meals For Your Big Day

When it comes to wedding invitations, there's a lot to consider – from the design and wording to the all-important meal choices. While it's not necessary to include a menu in your invites, it's a good idea if you're offering your guests different options for their meal. In this case, it's helpful to include the full menu and tick boxes for guests to select their preferences. It's also essential to ask about any dietary requirements or allergies, which can be done via a reply card or a simple line with the RSVP details. For a more personalised touch, consider adding a children's menu or providing a separate way for them to reply. The style of your invitation is also key when including menu choices, with pocketfold or concertina invitations offering plenty of room for all the necessary information.

How to word wedding invitations if you're not serving a meal

If you're not serving a meal at your wedding, it's important to communicate this clearly on your invitations to manage your guests' expectations. Here are some suggestions on how to word your wedding invitations in this case:

• "Hors d'oeuvres reception to follow"
• "Cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception to follow"
• "Please join [Bride] and [Groom] for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception"
• "Dessert reception to follow"
• "Light refreshments will be served"

If you're having a late-night wedding, starting around 8 pm, your guests may assume that a meal won't be served. However, it's still a good idea to explicitly state this on the invitations to avoid any confusion or disappointment.

You may also want to consider providing additional information about the food and drinks that will be available. For example, if you're having a cash bar, it's a good idea to include this information so that your guests come prepared. You could also include a list of nearby restaurants or the couple's favourite eateries to give your guests an idea of where they can grab a bite before the reception.

Remember, it's not tacky to be transparent about the food arrangements; it's proper etiquette! Your guests will appreciate knowing what to expect, and it will help them plan their evening accordingly.

How to ask guests to initial their meal selection

When it comes to asking guests to initial their meal selection for your wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to strike a balance between providing enough information for guests to make an informed choice and keeping the RSVP cards simple and uncluttered. Here are some instructive paragraphs on how to ask guests to initial their meal selection:

Keep it Simple

Resist the temptation to provide too many details about each meal option. Instead, opt for simple labels like "beef", "chicken", "fish", or "vegetarian". This gives you flexibility if you need to make last-minute changes to your menu and prevents overcrowding on the RSVP card.

Ask for Initials, Not Marks

Ensure you specifically request that guests initial their meal choice, rather than just marking it. This is important for identifying which guest selected which meal, especially if you plan to have place cards or escort cards with meal choices on them. This helps your caterers know which plate goes to which guest.

Provide Space for Special Requests

It's a good idea to leave room for guests to communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies. You can include a line at the bottom of the RSVP card that says, "Please advise of any food allergies or dietary restrictions: ______________". This allows your caterers to accommodate special requests and ensures that all your guests can enjoy the food on your big day.

Include a System for Identifying Choices

If you're creating printed wedding invitations, you can add a food choice section to the response card or include a separate enclosure card. Make sure there's enough space for multiple guests to write their initials next to each entrée selection. Here's an example: "Please initial a meal choice for each guest: Chicken __ Fish __ Beef __ Vegetarian __". Alternatively, you can create a separate line for each invited guest, with space for their name, attendance confirmation, and meal choice.

Consider Using Symbols or Stickers

To make it easier for your caterers to identify which guest chose which meal, consider using symbols or colour-coded stickers on place cards or escort cards. For example, a chicken symbol or a red sticker could indicate the guest chose the chicken option. This ensures that your caterers can quickly identify and serve the correct meal to each guest.

Final Thoughts

Remember, it's not necessary to include meal selections on your wedding invitations unless you're offering your guests multiple options that need to be pre-ordered. If you're serving a set menu or having a buffet, there's no need to include meal choices. However, always ask about dietary restrictions and allergies, regardless of the dining format.

How to indicate meal choices for guests who have pre-selected

There are several ways to indicate meal choices for guests who have pre-selected their preferences. Here are some suggestions:

Stickers

Use stickers to indicate the meal choice of each guest. For example, a red sticker for surf and turf and a green sticker for the vegetarian option. These stickers can be placed on the guest's place card or escort card, so they know what they ordered and to help the server identify their choice.

Menu Cards

If you plan to have menu cards at each place setting, you can include both meal options and indicate the guest's choice with a star, check mark, or a small sticker. Alternatively, you can have two different menus, one for each meal option, and place the appropriate menu at each guest's seat.

Another idea is to list both meal options on the menu card and include a line such as "Welcome to our Wedding!" or "Pre-selected" to indicate that guests have already made their selection.

Place Cards or Escort Cards

If you are assigning seats, place cards can be used to indicate meal choices. You can include a small icon or sticker of a chicken, fish, etc. on each card, so the catering team can quickly identify each guest's meal choice.

Online RSVP or Reply Cards

If you are using online RSVPs or reply cards, you can include additional fields for guests to indicate their meal choices. This allows you to collect everyone's food orders and reduces paper waste.

Other Considerations

When indicating meal choices, keep the wording simple and clear. For example, beef, chicken, or vegetarian, instead of providing lengthy descriptions. This helps prevent overcrowding on the card and makes it easier for guests to understand and fill out.

Additionally, leave room for special requests or dietary restrictions. You can include a line at the bottom of the card or online form for guests to mention any allergies or dietary needs.

Remember, it is essential to know how many of each entrée your guests will need and to create a system to match each guest with their chosen dish. Providing enough space for initials or names next to each entrée selection is crucial.

How to include dietary requirements on your invite

Including dietary requirements on your wedding invites is a thoughtful way to ensure your guests' needs are met. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Keep it simple

It's best to keep dietary requirements separate from meal choices. Instead of listing every ingredient, simply provide options like "beef, chicken, vegetarian, or other dietary requirements". This gives guests with specific allergies or restrictions a chance to reach out and clarify their needs.

Provide a dedicated space

Whether you include a separate reply card or a line on the RSVP, always ask guests to specify their dietary requirements. A simple line like "RSVP by [date] to [details] (please include dietary requirements)" is sufficient. This ensures that guests don't forget to mention any allergies or restrictions they may have.

Be mindful of children's meals

If children are invited, their dietary requirements may need to be addressed separately. You can include a small extra card with children's menu options and a separate way for them to reply, such as their own reply card or a dedicated email address.

Offer a personalised experience

If you've asked guests to pre-order their meals, consider providing personalised menu cards at each place setting. This can include their name, meal choice, and any dietary requirements, ensuring a tailored experience for your guests.

Use creative cues

If you're creating printed invitations, consider using pictures or symbols to represent menu options. For example, a picture of a chicken, a cow, a fish, or a vegetable to indicate the different meal choices. This adds a fun twist and provides a visual cue for guests.

Be accommodating

While it may not be possible to accommodate every request, it's important to be considerate of your guests' needs. Work with your caterer to see what adjustments can be made, and reach out to guests with serious allergies to ensure they feel included and safe.

How to word your invite if you're serving a set menu

If you're serving a set menu at your wedding, you don't need to include meal options on your invites. In fact, some sources advise against it, as it gives guests the opportunity to be fussy and request something different. However, if you want to give your guests an idea of what to expect, you can include a general description of the menu. Here are some ways to word your invites:

"Please indicate attendance and meal choice:

Name:

_____ accept _____ decline

Filet with Chicken/Vegetarian/Child plate"

This example from a user on WeddingWire includes a line for guests to indicate their meal choice, with options for adults and children.

"Please initial a meal choice for each guest: Chicken __ Fish __ Beef __ Vegetarian __"

This example from The Knot provides a simple way for guests to indicate their meal choice by initialing the option they prefer.

"Please indicate the number of guests and their meal choices:

_______ children's meal

_______ vegetarian meal"

This example, also from a user on WeddingWire, allows guests to indicate the number of people attending and their meal preferences.

"Please note any food allergies or restrictions on the back of this card"

If you're serving a set menu but want to accommodate any dietary restrictions, this example suggests noting any allergies or restrictions on the back of the RSVP card.

Remember, when it comes to wedding invitations, there are no hard and fast rules. You can choose to include as much or as little information as you like about the set menu. The most important thing is to ensure your guests have the information they need to make any necessary arrangements and look forward to your big day!

Frequently asked questions