Evening Wedding Invites: What To Include And What To Avoid

Wedding invitation wording can be a minefield, and it can be especially tricky when it comes to evening invites. Evening reception invites are for guests who are only joining you for the evening party, so it's important to be clear about who is invited to what. You'll need one invite per couple or household, and it's a good idea to include an RSVP. Evening invites can be a simpler design, but it's crucial to include the date, time, venue, and how to reply. You might also want to include extra details such as accommodation suggestions or transport information.

Who the invite is from

Evening wedding invitations are typically sent to guests who are only attending the evening reception or party. It's important to be clear about who the invite is from, as this sets the tone and provides crucial information for your guests. Here are some examples of how to word the host section of an evening wedding invitation:

Invitation from the Bride's Parents

The traditional format is to lead with the bride's parents as hosts, even if both sets of parents are contributing financially. Here's an example:

> Mr and Mrs David Masters request the honour of your presence at an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, James Michael Stanford, on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Invitation from Both Families

If both families are hosting, you can include both sets of parents' names. This example also has a more modern tone:

> Together with their families, Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company at their evening wedding reception on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Invitation from the Couple

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the invitation can be phrased as below. This option is especially suitable if the couple is paying for the wedding themselves.

> Miss Sophie Louise Masters and Mr James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage at an evening reception on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Informal Invitation from the Couple

For a more casual celebration, the invitation can be less formal, focusing on the fun and celebration:

> Dust off your dancing shoes! Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford invite you to join them for an evening of celebration and dancing on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey.

Who is invited

Evening wedding invites are for those guests who are only invited to the evening reception or party. It's important to be clear about who is invited to the wedding ceremony and reception, and who will only be attending the evening party. Here are some tips and examples to help you with the wording for your evening wedding invites:

• Be clear and explicit about who is invited to the evening reception. This is usually just the guests who will be joining for the evening party, and not those who will be attending the wedding ceremony and daytime reception.
• If you are inviting additional guests to the evening reception who were not invited to the wedding ceremony, make sure the number of evening invites reflects this. For example, if you are inviting 60 guests to the wedding ceremony and 150 guests to the evening reception, you will need 90 evening invites for the additional guests. Remember, you only need one invite per couple or household, not per guest.
• When deciding on the guest list, create two separate lists: one for the wedding ceremony and daytime reception, and one for the evening reception only. You can make the ceremony and daytime reception guest list as intimate as you wish, including only immediate family members or a small group of close family and friends. Ensure that everyone on the ceremony guest list is also included in the evening reception.
• Be firm and stick to your guest list decisions. Some guests may try to pressure you into inviting them to the ceremony as well, but it's important to stay true to your original choices. Express your excitement about celebrating with them at the evening reception and your gratitude for their presence on your special day.
• When addressing the invites, be clear about who is invited. For example, if you are inviting a couple with children, specify whether the children are also invited or not. If you are inviting a single guest and would like them to bring a plus one, make sure to include this on the invite.
• If you do not want children at the evening reception, communicate this graciously and clearly. A simple phrase like "We are very sorry, but we are keeping our special day as an adult-only occasion" can be used to convey this politely.

Examples of Wording for Evening Wedding Invites:

Evening Wedding Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by the Bride's Parents:

> Mr and Mrs David Masters request the honour of your presence at an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter James Michael Stanford on Saturday, the third of September two thousand and twenty at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Evening Wedding Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by Both Families:

> Together with their families, Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company at their evening wedding reception on Saturday, the third of September two thousand and twenty at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Evening Wedding Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by the Couple:

> Miss Sophie Louise Masters and Mr James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage at an evening reception on Saturday, the third of September two thousand and twenty at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Informal Evening Wedding Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by the Couple:

> Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford on Saturday, 3rd September 2020, at 7 pm at Highford Manor, Surrey.

Date, time and location

Evening wedding invitations should include the same key details as full-day wedding invitations: the couple's names, the time, the date, and the place. However, they should also clearly state that invitees are only expected for the evening reception. This avoids any potential embarrassment on the day for either party.

Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by the Bride's Parents:

> Mr and Mrs David Masters request the honour of your presence at an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, James Michael Stanford, on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by Both Families:

> Together with their families, Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company at their evening wedding reception on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Invite Wording for a Wedding Hosted by the Couple:

> Miss Sophie Louise Masters and Mr James Michael Stanford request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage at an evening reception on Saturday, the third of September, two thousand and twenty, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight.

Informal Wedding Hosted by the Couple:

> Dust off your dancing shoes ready for an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of Sophie Louise Masters and James Michael Stanford. Saturday, 3rd September 2020, 7 pm, Highford Manor, Surrey.

Evening wedding invitations can be a much simpler design than full-day invitations. Your guests really only need to know the date, time, venue, and how to reply. However, it is helpful to give them some extra details, such as accommodation suggestions, recommended local taxi companies, or information about any transport you might be putting on.

RSVP details

Evening wedding invitations should include a request for guests to RSVP. This can be done by including a separate RSVP card in the invitation or by instructing guests to RSVP digitally, providing an email address or phone number.

The deadline for the RSVP should also be included, for example, "RSVP by the 30th of June".

If you are having a wedding website, you can include the website address on a separate card, and indicate that guests can RSVP directly on the site.

If you are including an RSVP card, it is important to keep the wording clear and concise. Here is an example:

"Mr and Mrs David Masters request the honour of your presence at an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, James Michael Stanford, on Saturday, the third of September, at seven o'clock in the evening at Highford Manor, Surrey. Carriages at midnight."

Digital RSVP

If you prefer to receive RSVPs digitally, you can include a simple line printed at the bottom of the invitation card, such as:

"RSVP by 'date' to 'email' or 'phone'"

Additional Details

It is a good idea to include some extra details on the RSVP card or in the invitation itself. This could include accommodation suggestions, recommended local taxi companies, or information about any transport you might be providing.

If you are including an RSVP card, you can also use the back of the card to provide this additional information.

Food and Dress Code

It is important to let your evening guests know if food will be served and if there is a dress code. A simple note at the bottom of the invitation or RSVP card will suffice, such as:

"Guests can expect late-night snacks/evening buffet to be served around 10 pm"

"Black-tie optional"

Gifts

Evening-only invitations should not mention a gift list, as this can come across as if you are only inviting these guests to receive presents. Instead, provide a link to your wedding website at the bottom of the invitation, where guests can find more detailed information, including your gift registry.

Timing

Evening wedding invitations can be sent out at the same time as the main ceremony invites, or closer to the wedding date. Use your own judgement, considering your guests' needs to book time off work, for example.

Food and dress code

Food

Evening wedding invites should include some details about food, so guests know what to expect. If you're providing a full meal, it's worth including details about the number of courses and whether there will be a vegetarian option. If you're only offering drinks and canapes, make this clear so guests don't arrive expecting a full dinner.

Dress Code

Evening wedding invites often include a dress code, which can range from black tie to casual, depending on the formality of the event. Here are some examples of wording for different dress codes:

• Black tie: "Black Tie Wording Example: We request the pleasure of your company at an evening of elegance and celebration as we tie the knot. Attire: Black Tie. Please join us in your most exquisite formal wear to make this night truly special."
• Formal/Black Tie Optional: "Black Tie Optional Wording Example: We are excited to celebrate with you! Our wedding will be a Black Tie Optional affair, so feel free to wear a tuxedo or a formal suit. We can't wait to see you looking your best!"
• Semi-formal/Cocktail attire: "Cocktail Attire Wording Example: Join us for a stylish evening as we celebrate our wedding on [Date]. Dress Code: Cocktail Attire. We look forward to seeing you in your chic and elegant outfits!"
• Casual: "Casual Wording Example: We’re keeping things relaxed for our wedding! Dress Code: Casual. Come as you are and join us for a day of fun and celebration."

It's worth noting that the dress code can be included on the invitation itself, on a separate information card, or on a wedding website.

Frequently asked questions