Planning Your Wedding Reception: Invitation Design And Details

Wedding invitation etiquette is a complex business, and it can be hard to know where to start. This is especially true if you're planning a two-part event, with a smaller ceremony and a larger reception. In this case, you'll need to send out two different invitations, with two different guest lists. The invitation wording is critical, and it's important to be clear about what guests are being invited to, to avoid any confusion. This is also true if you're hosting a reception-only event, perhaps because you've already had a small ceremony or you've eloped. In this case, you can be more creative with your stationery and less formal in your wording.

The invitation should make it clear that guests are invited to a reception celebrating the marriage, not witnessing it

When creating a wedding reception invitation, it is important to make it clear that guests are being invited to a reception celebrating the marriage, rather than witnessing the ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions to achieve this:

Firstly, the wording of the invitation is crucial. It should explicitly state that the event is a reception, and that guests are invited to join in the celebration of the marriage. For example, the invitation could say, "You are invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of [Couple's Names]". This directly indicates that the ceremony has already taken place, and guests are now being invited to a reception.

Another way to phrase it could be, " [Couple's Names] invite you to join them for a celebration with the newlyweds." This also emphasises the celebratory nature of the event and indicates that the couple is already married. It is important to avoid any wording that hints at guests witnessing the marriage, such as "witness", "view", or "presence at their wedding".

The timing and location details on the invitation can also help clarify that guests are invited to the reception only. If the ceremony and reception are held at different venues, include the reception venue's name and address, as well as the start and end times. This will make it clear that guests are only expected at the reception location. If the ceremony and reception are on the same day, consider having an earlier ceremony, followed by the reception later in the day. This creates a more distinct separation between the two events.

In addition to the timing, consider including specific instructions for guests, such as "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing." This directly informs guests that the ceremony has already taken place, and they are now invited to join the festivities.

If the ceremony is intimate or private, you can also include a separate card for those invited to the ceremony, indicating that it will be a small event. This way, you can ensure that guests understand the nature of each event and avoid any confusion or hurt feelings.

Overall, clear and direct wording, along with specific details about timing and location, will help ensure that your guests understand they are invited to a reception celebrating your marriage, rather than witnessing the ceremony.

Include the names of both sets of parents, or state that the couple is hosting

Host Line

Traditionally, the bride's parents host and their names are listed at the top of the invite. However, including the names of both sets of parents is also acceptable and gracious. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can opt for something like, "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"

If the couple is hosting, you can skip the host line or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"

Examples for Different Sets of Parents

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

• "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis" (formal)
• "Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis" (less formal)

Examples for Divorced Parents

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, include them all, but keep each parent on a separate line. If you're including the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner.

"Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland"

Examples for Honouring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include them alongside one of the couple's names. Here is an example:

"Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding"

Provide the date, time, and location of the reception

When it comes to wedding reception invitations, the wording is critical. It is important to provide clear details about the date, time, and location of the reception to avoid confusion and queries from guests. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs on how to do this effectively:

Date and Time

Clearly state the date and time of the reception. Formal invitations typically spell out the date and time in full. For example, if your reception is on the 15th of September 2024 at 4:30 pm, the wording could be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon". The day of the week and the month should be spelled out in full, and the year should be in numerals. The time of day can be indicated as "four-thirty in the afternoon" or "half after four o'clock". If you prefer a more casual tone, it is also acceptable to use numerals for the time, such as "4:30 pm".

Location

Provide the name and address of the reception venue. The venue's street address is usually included unless its omission would cause confusion or the reception is held at the host's home. The city and state should be written out in full. If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply state: "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different venue, include this information on a separate line or on a separate insert card, known as a reception card.

Additional Details

If the reception is not immediately after the ceremony, include the time on the invitation. If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, consider including an activity card with the invitation suite, listing the festivities in chronological order. You may also include an information card with additional details such as directions, transportation information, and lodging suggestions.

RSVP Details

Don't forget to include an RSVP card with a clear deadline for guests to respond, typically about three to four weeks before the wedding. Pre-address the RSVP envelope and include a stamp to avoid imposing any costs on your guests.

Dress Code

While optional, including the dress code on the invitation can be helpful for guests. If you are having a black-tie wedding, it is important to mention this on the invitation. Otherwise, the formality of the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire.

Timing of Invitations

Send your invitations out in a timely manner. For non-destination weddings, mail your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, send invitations earlier, about three months in advance, to give guests enough time to make travel arrangements.

Outline the dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding reception invitation as it gives guests an idea of what to wear. The invitation should include a note on attire, with the dress code usually placed in the lower right corner of the invitation.

If you are having a formal wedding, you should explicitly state the dress code as "black-tie" or "formal attire". This calls for tuxedos and floor-length gowns, or suits and dresses. For a less formal event, you can simply state "cocktail attire", which calls for dress shirts, ties, and cocktail dresses. If your wedding is on the beach, you can specify "beach casual", which includes long- or short-sleeve shirts, pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals.

If you don't include a dress code, the invitation's style will indicate the expected attire. A very fancy invitation will suggest a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invite indicates a more casual dress code.

Include an RSVP card with a deadline for responses

Including an RSVP card with your wedding invitation is essential to getting a final headcount for your reception. Here are some tips to ensure you get those responses:

Set a deadline for responses

Give your guests a deadline of three to four weeks before the wedding date to respond to your invitation. This will give you enough time to provide your caterer with a final headcount, which is usually needed about a week before the wedding. An accurate headcount will also allow you to finalise your seating chart. If some guests have not responded by your RSVP deadline, give them a quick phone call to follow up.

Make it easy for guests to respond

Include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope with your RSVP card to make it easy for your guests to respond by mail. Alternatively, you can include the wedding website address on a separate card and indicate that guests can respond directly on the site.

Be clear about who is invited

If you are inviting a couple but not their children, address the envelope to "Mr. and Mrs." and their names, implying that they are the only ones invited. If you are inviting someone with a plus-one, be sure to write "and Guest" on the envelope or include the name of their significant other if you know it.

Provide meal choices and other details

On your RSVP card, you can include meal choices along with checkboxes or illustrated icons for guests to select their preferences. You can also include a song-request line, such as "We promise to dance if you play [blank]."

Frequently asked questions