Writing Wedding Invites: Reception Etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few ways to let guests know that a reception will follow the ceremony. The most common way is to simply state Reception to follow at the bottom of the invitation, but other variations include Dinner and dancing to follow, Food, wine, and merriment to follow, or Feasting and merriment to follow. If the reception is at a different location, it is customary to include a separate reception card with the invitation that provides the address and other relevant details.

Reception to follow vs. separate reception card

If the wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, it is perfectly acceptable to include the line "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. This is a clear and concise way to inform your guests about the festivities that will occur after the wedding ceremony.

However, if the reception is held at a different location, it is considered a separate event and should be treated as such in the invitation. In this case, you have two options: include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite, or include the reception details on the wedding invitation itself if there is room. If you choose the latter option, you can simply write "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following" followed by the location.

Including a separate reception card is the most etiquette-correct way to inform your guests about a change of venue for the reception. It allows you to invite some guests to the wedding only and others to both the wedding and the reception. However, it may not be necessary if you are not concerned with following the most traditional etiquette or if your invitation has limited space.

Separate Reception Card:

• Reception Card: "The celebration continues with cocktails, dinner and dancing"
• Invitation: "Reception to follow at [time] [place] [address]"

Reception Details on the Invitation:

• "Reception immediately following at [location]"
• "Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow at [location]"
• "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing at [location]"

Remember to include the start time if the reception won't immediately follow the ceremony, so that guests know what to expect.

Creative ways to say reception to follow

There are many ways to creatively say "reception to follow" on a wedding invitation. Here are some fun and unique ideas:

• "Food, Wine, and Merriment to Follow"
• "Dine, Dance, Celebrate"
• "Food and Fun to Follow"
• "Dinner and Dancing under the Stars"
• "Feast and Merriment to Follow"
• "Twirling and Swirling to Follow"
• "A Good Time to be Had by All!"
• "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry"
• "Party to Follow"
• "Join Us for Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing"

These phrases add a touch of whimsy and creativity to your wedding invitation while still conveying the necessary information about the reception. You can also include details about the type of celebration, such as an outdoor reception or a specific theme, to give your guests a better idea of what to expect.

Including reception details on the invitation

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. This is a concise way to let guests know that there will be a reception after the ceremony.

However, if the reception is at a different location, you have a few options:

• Include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked in with the main invitation. This is a good option if you want to provide detailed information about the reception venue, such as the address and directions.
• Include the reception details on the same invitation as the ceremony information. For example, you can write the address and other details on a separate line below the ceremony information. This option may be more cost-effective, but be careful not to overcrowd the invitation with too much text.
• Create a separate reception card with the event details. This option can be more expensive, as it involves an additional card, but it ensures that guests have all the information they need in a clear and concise format.
• Dinner and dancing to follow
• Food, wine, and merriment to follow
• Dinner, dancing, and merriment to follow
• Dine, dance, celebrate
• Food and fun to follow
• Twirling and swirling to follow
• Feasting and merriment to follow
• Cake, punch, and merriment to follow
• An evening of dinner and dancing to follow
• Merriment and festivities to follow

Remember to include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

Wording for a reception-only wedding invitation

The wording of your wedding invitation should reflect the tone and style of your wedding, whether it's formal, casual, creative, or fun. Here are some ideas for how to word a reception-only wedding invitation:

Formal Wedding Invitation

If you're having a formal wedding, you might want to consider the following wording:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at a reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, Jane Smith, to Mr. Robert Jones.

>

> Saturday, the tenth of July, two thousand and twenty-two, at half past six in the evening.

>

> The Ritz-Carlton, 123 Main Street, City, State.

Casual Wedding Invitation

For a more casual affair, you could use a more relaxed tone:

> John and Eliza Smith invite you to a reception to celebrate the marriage of their son, Jack Smith, to Mason Kim.

>

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon.

>

> The Country Club, 456 Oak Lane, Town, State.

Creative Wedding Invitation

If you want to get creative with your wording, feel free to add a personal touch:

> It's a celebration! Please join us for a reception honouring the recent marriage of Jane Smith and Robert Jones.

>

> Saturday, the tenth of July, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

>

> The Grand Hotel, 789 Lake Drive, City, State.

Fun Wedding Invitation

If you want to inject some fun into your invitation, try something like this:

> Eat, drink, and be married! Join us for a reception to celebrate Jack Smith and Mason Kim's recent nuptials.

>

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

>

> The Garden Terrace, 22 River Road, Town, State.

Modern Wedding Invitation

For a modern twist, you can play with the structure and add a personal message:

> With joy, John and Eliza Smith invite you to celebrate with their son, Jack Smith, and his new spouse, Mason Kim.

>

> Saturday, August 17, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

>

> The Loft, 345 Park Avenue, Town, State.

>

> We can't wait to eat, drink, and be merry with you!

Remember, these are just examples, and you can personalise the wording to suit your style and the tone of your wedding.

Including dress code information on the invitation

Including dress code information on your wedding invitations is a great way to ensure your event stays as formal or as casual as you want it to be. It also helps your guests know what is expected of them in terms of attire. Here are some tips and suggestions for including dress code information on your invitations:

Where to Include the Dress Code

There are a few options for where to include the dress code information:

• On the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation.
• At the bottom centre of the invitation design.
• On a separate information or details card included with the invitation.
• On your wedding website, if you have one.

How to Format the Dress Code Information

The style of the dress code wording should be consistent with the rest of the invitation wording. You can include the dress code information with or without a colon or other mark, such as a bullet point or vertical bar. For example:

• Dress: Formal
• Dress Code: Formal
• Formal Attire (Black Tie Optional)

Examples of Dress Code Wording

• White Tie or Full Evening Dress: "White tie. We ask that men wear tailcoats and women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."
• Black Tie: "Black tie. We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown."
• Black-Tie Optional: "Black-tie optional. We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie and women wear an evening gown or a midi or knee-length cocktail dress."
• Formal or Lounge Suit: "Formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pant suit."
• Cocktail Attire: "Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or a dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates."
• Smart Casual: "Smart casual attire. We suggest men wear dark denim, chinos or suit pants with a neat shirt, and women can wear a skirt or smart trousers."

Regional and Cultural Considerations

It's worth noting that including dress code information on wedding invitations may vary depending on regional and cultural norms. In some areas, it is common practice to include dress code details, while in other regions, it may be considered rude or unnecessary. If you're unsure about what level of detail to provide, consider including a general level of formality (e.g. "formal attire") and providing additional information on your wedding website or through word-of-mouth.

Frequently asked questions