Post # 1

Member
1 posts
Wannabee
Hello All!
I am getting married on a Thursday evening and am having a very small ceremony with immediate family only and just 1 bridesmaid and groomsman. On the following Saturday we will be having a reception which will be pretty laid back (no assigned seating or anything). I was wondering if anyone knew how I should word the invites for the reception? I don’t know how to say that it is only for the reception without making people feel like we didn’t want them at the ceremony.
Post # 3

Member
23 posts
Newbee
I would be fairly simple – "state" the wedding earlier in the week and "invite" them to the reception – something like:
Miss X and Mr Y are getting married on Thursday ______
We would like to invite you to celebrate their union at a reception on Saturday ______
Basically keep details about where and when the ceremony is *out* of the invite – if there’s no info other than the date, anyone that’s confused will just call, but I think most people will ‘get it’.
If you’re worried that will be misinterpreted you could reword the first line to something like:
Miss X and Mr Y, in the company of their intimate family will be joined in matrimony on Thursday _____
We invite to all our friends and family to celebrate this union on Saturday with dinner and dancing at _______
I hope that helps a little.
Good luck.
Post # 4

Member
398 posts
Helper bee
I think I would skip information on the ceremony and just send out a reception card (this can be added to those attending the ceremony). Reception cards are common for those couples having a reception at a separate location than the ceremony.
This will eliminate the confusion as to whether the guest is invited to the wedding.
Such as:
We invite you to share with us
our happiness at the Reception.
Buffet served at 5 pm
Wedding Hotel
630 Chestnut Avenue
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding luncheon
on 1 January 2009
The Sheridan Plaza Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts
Hope that helps.
Good Luck!
Post # 5

Member
101 posts
Blushing bee
I did this for my wedding, except my reception was on the same day as my ceremony. Everyone got the same invitation but the people invited to the ceremony got an insert that had the ceremony information on it. The generic invitation just had informaion about the reception on it. If people wonder about the ceremony, just tell them it was very very close family. It’s your wedding, and you can have you want there. Hopefully this helps!