Planning A Lake Cruise Wedding: Inviting Guests For A 2-Hour Cruise

A wedding invitation is a chance to showcase your personality as a couple, whether that's through creative, modern, fun, or casual wording. The invitation should include the who, what, where, and when of your wedding, but the specific language used can be tailored to your style.

For a lake cruise wedding, you may want to highlight the unique setting in your invitation. For example, Join us for a celebration of love on the lake as we exchange our vows. This will give your guests a sense of the location and the atmosphere of the event.

The invitation should also include the names of the couple, the date and time, the cruise ship's name, and the address of the dock or pier where guests will board. If there are multiple events throughout the day, such as a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, you may want to include a separate details card with the timeline and locations for each.

[Your names] request the honor of your presence as we exchange vows and set sail into our new life together.

Saturday, the [date] of [month], [year]

[Time]

[Name of cruise ship]

[Address of dock/pier]

How to word the invitation to reflect the setting

A wedding invitation should include the who, what, where, and when of the event. The wording can reflect the setting of the wedding, in this case, a 2-hour lake cruise. Here are some ideas on how to word the invitation to match the setting:

Host Line:

The host line is the opening line of the invitation and names the hosts of the event. If you are hosting the wedding yourselves, you can omit this line or use a warm introduction such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy."

Attendance Request:

The attendance request lets guests know what they are being invited to. You can use creative wording to reflect the setting, such as "Join us for a celebration on the lake" or "Set sail with us as we exchange our vows."

Couple's Names:

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and can be in a fancy typeface. You may want to include middle names or last names if they have different last names.

Date and Time:

The date and time are essential details. For a lake cruise wedding, you might want to specify the duration, such as "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, from four o'clock to six o'clock in the evening."

Location:

Provide the name and address of the departure point for the lake cruise. You may also want to include details about the cruise, such as "Aboard the SS Love Boat" or "Cruising on Lake Charm."

Reception Details:

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to follow." If it is at a different location, provide the full address and other relevant information.

Dress Code:

Including a dress code is optional but can be helpful for guests. For a lake cruise wedding, you might suggest "nautical chic" or "yacht club attire."

"Together with our families,

[Couple's names]

Request the pleasure of your company as they set sail in celebration of their marriage

Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four

From four o'clock to six o'clock in the evening

[Location and address]

Reception to follow at the Lakeside Pavilion"

The best way to convey the duration of the cruise

Include the duration in the request to attend:

For example, "Join us for a 2-hour cruise wedding celebration as we exchange our vows." This approach provides a clear indication of the duration while also highlighting the unique aspect of the wedding.

Provide a breakdown of the event:

Another option is to include a detailed schedule with timings. For instance:

> Ceremony: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (2 hours)

> Cocktail hour: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

> Dinner and dancing: 6:00 p.m. onwards

Mention the duration in the reception details:

If the cruise includes a reception, you can indicate the duration in this section. For example:

> Reception and cruise: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Use time indicators:

You can also use phrases like "for a limited time" or "for a brief cruise along the lake" to convey that the wedding will be a concise and memorable experience.

Remember, the key is to provide clear and concise information about the duration while also maintaining a tone that reflects the joy and excitement of the occasion.

What to include about the wedding ceremony

The wedding ceremony is the most important part of the day, so it's crucial that your invitation includes all the essential details. Here are some key elements to include:

Date and Time

Provide the date and time of the ceremony, using full, written-out words for a formal wedding, and numerals for a more casual event. For example, for a formal wedding at 4:30 pm, you could write "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." Alternatively, for a casual wedding, you could say "Saturday, September 15th, 2024, 4:30 pm". Remember to include the day of the week and capitalise it.

Location

Give the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, be sure to include the country as well. For instance, "The Ritz-Carlton, 1234 Ocean Boulevard, Miami, Florida, 33131".

Dress Code

Although not compulsory, including the dress code is helpful for your guests. You can mention it in the lower corner or centre of the invite, or use a separate details card. For a formal wedding, you might say "Black-tie" or "Formal attire". For a more casual affair, "Beach-casual" or "Cocktail attire".

Additional Information

If there are any other important details about the ceremony, you can include them on a separate insert card. For example, if there is limited parking, you may wish to recommend carpooling or public transport. You could also mention any activities or events before or after the ceremony, such as a cocktail hour or photoshoot, so guests can plan their time accordingly.

Remember, the invitation should reflect the tone and style of your wedding. Be concise, clear, and include only the most essential information. You can always direct guests to your wedding website for further details.

How to communicate the dress code

When communicating the dress code for your lake cruise wedding, it's important to be as clear as possible to avoid confusion and ensure your guests feel confident in their attire choices. Here are some suggestions on how to communicate the dress code effectively:

Specify the Dress Code on the Invitation:

Include the dress code in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre. You can use phrases such as "Black-tie optional", "Formal attire", "Cocktail attire", or "Smart casual". For example, "Black-tie optional: We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie, and women wear an evening gown or a knee-length cocktail dress."

Provide Details on a Separate Information Card:

If you want to keep your invitation simple, include a separate information card with other important details for your guests. You can explain the dress code here, providing suggestions and specifics. For example, "The dress code for our lake cruise wedding is formal attire. For men, we suggest a suit and tie, and for women, a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."

Create a Wedding Website with Dress Code Information:

A wedding website can be a helpful tool to provide guests with more detailed information. Include the dress code on the homepage along with other essential details such as the wedding date, venue, and time. If your website has multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each, such as a welcome reception, wedding day, and post-wedding brunch.

Consider the Time of Day:

The time of day will also influence the attire. Morning or afternoon events typically call for less formal attire than evening events. For a morning event, suggest a morning coat or a grey cutaway coat with a vest and tie for men, and tea-length or longer dressy daytime dresses for women. For an evening lake cruise wedding, suggest tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or floor-length gowns.

Provide Clear and Detailed Descriptions:

Be as specific as possible when describing the dress code to ensure your guests understand your expectations. For example, suggest fabrics and colours that align with your wedding theme. If your wedding is outdoors, mention appropriate footwear and the possibility of cooler temperatures. You can also include what not to wear, such as swimwear or specific colours to avoid.

Offer Suggestions for Each Category of Guest:

Provide separate suggestions for men, women, and children if applicable. This helps guests understand your expectations for their specific category. For example, "For men, we suggest a light dress shirt with khaki or lightweight slacks. Jackets and ties are optional. For women, sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels are perfect for the outdoor ceremony on the lake."

Remember, the key is to provide clear and detailed guidance while also allowing your guests some flexibility and comfort in their attire choices.

The best way to prompt an RSVP

To ensure you receive RSVPs from your guests, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, make sure your guests know when and where to RSVP. If you are sending RSVP cards, provide a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope to make the process as easy as possible for your guests. If you are collecting RSVPs via a wedding website, state this clearly on the invitation.

Secondly, you can ask your guests for additional information, such as their meal selection. This makes it more likely that they will submit an RSVP, as it is something extra for them to consider.

Thirdly, send out gentle reminders before the RSVP deadline. This could be in the form of an email or text message, or even a social media post. Let your guests know how excited you are to receive their responses, and provide an update on your wedding planning progress. You could also mention that you need the final headcount to make the necessary arrangements.

Finally, if you are still missing RSVPs after the deadline, don't be afraid to reach out to your guests directly. Emphasize that you need to give the final headcount to your caterer, and ask if they have received your invitation.

• Set your RSVP deadline for one to two weeks before the date your caterer needs the final headcount. This will give you some wiggle room to chase up any missing responses.
• Include a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP, card guests should be invited to include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss).
• Include an attendance line for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This could be in the form of checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• If you are serving dinner, ask your guests to indicate their food preferences and any dietary requirements or allergies.
• Include a special request line, such as song requests or drink preferences.

Remember to maintain clear and persistent communication with your guests leading up to the RSVP deadline, and don't be afraid to gently nudge them if needed!

Frequently asked questions