Question from Rebecca:
Our ceremony location has limited seating so we are sending out additional invitations to those who are only invited to the reception. There is also a block of time between the ceremony and reception where the guests will not be able to get in before the time provided. How do I word that hors d’oeuvres will be provided at a certain time, dinner will be provided and dancing to follow. Should I inlcude a reception card with the invite to those invited to everything? And how do I word the invite for those only invited to the reception/dinner/dance? I want to be proper, but I’m not sure how to do this. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Rebecca, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Regarding the block of time between the ceremony and reception, that is very common at weddings, and you do not need to refer to it.
Invitations to many receptions list "Cocktails at 5 pm, Dinner at 6 pm. " You don’t say when hors d’oevures will be served, but I assume it is not too close to the meal time (at least 2-3 hrs before a meal is served). You could use the cocktail, dinner format to refer to the hors d’ouevres.
You ask if you should include the reception card with the invite to those invited to everything. Well, that depends on what is written on the invitations. If you are just repeating information that is already there, it is not necessary.
You also ask how to word the invite for those only invited to the reception/dinner/dance. "You are cordially invited to a wedding reception in honour of the marriage of….etc."
Wording often depends upon how formal or inform your wedding is. I suggest you speak to the vendor that you are ordering your wedding invitations from. They will suggest various wording based upon your specific needs.
If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert
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