— Guide
Reception-only and evening wedding invitation wording
A reception-only invitation asks guests to the party but not the vows, so the wording has to make that clear without sounding like a second-class ticket. Say what the guest is invited to, mention the ceremony briefly if you like, and keep the tone as warm as a full wedding invitation.
After a private ceremony
Jelena and Stefan were married quietly in May. Now they'd like to throw the party.
We said our vows with only our parents watching. The celebration is for everyone else we love.
Jelena and Stefan, newly married, ask you to dinner and dancing in honour of the occasion.
Following a small family ceremony, please join Jelena and Stefan for an evening of celebration.
The paperwork is signed and the rings are on. Come and help us celebrate properly.
Already married
Mr and Mrs Petrović are married and would be glad to share a meal and a toast with you.
We married in Belgrade in the spring and saved the party for summer, with you in it.
Two months married and still smiling. Join us for the party we didn't have time for.
After an elopement
We ran off to the mountains and got married. Now we're coming home to celebrate with you.
Yes, we eloped. No, we didn't forget you. This party is our way of saying sorry and thank you.
It was just the two of us and a photographer. The second half needs a crowd.
Evening reception
Jelena and Stefan would love you to join them for the evening celebrations of their wedding day.
Please join us from half past seven for drinks, dancing and the cutting of the cake.
The ceremony is small, the evening is not. We'd love you there from eight.
Come and raise a glass with us on our wedding night, the party starts after dinner.
Our wedding evening begins at eight. Wear shoes you can dance in and leave room for cake.
Post-wedding party
Back from the honeymoon and ready to party. Join us for a relaxed evening with family and friends.
We married abroad, so the party happens here at home. Food, music and all of you.
Missed the wedding? Here's your second chance. A garden party in our honour, on us.
Line about the ceremony
Our ceremony will be a private family affair earlier in the day.
We'll be married in a small ceremony beforehand and look forward to seeing you afterwards.
We're keeping the vows small, so this invitation is for the evening party.
Line above the names
Short line above the names
Newly married
Short line above the names
Join us for the celebration
Short line above the names
Wedding party, part two
Closing line
A short line at the foot of the invitation
The dance floor opens when you arrive
A short line at the foot of the invitation
Here's to the evening we've been waiting for
Three common situations
- Private ceremony, big party, the same day or later
- Evening guests, a British custom where some guests come only after the wedding breakfast
- A party at home after eloping or marrying abroad
Should you mention the ceremony?
If the ceremony has already happened, say so, guests like knowing they haven't missed a date. If it's the same day, one short line that it's a small family ceremony is enough. You don't owe anyone a reason for keeping the vows small, and an explanation often sounds more like an apology than a welcome.
Evening guests in the UK
Evening invitations usually go out at the same time as day invitations and use the same design, so nobody feels like an afterthought. Give a start time that falls after the meal, mention food if there will be a buffet or late snack, and ask evening guests to reply too, the bar and the caterer still need a number.
On a digital invitation
There's no separate time field. Put the date in the date field and start the programme with the reception, because the calendar button takes its start from the earliest time in the programme. The programme can list the evening in order, first dance, cake, late food. If you're sending one link to both day and evening guests, list each part with its time so everyone can see where they fit, and keep separate invitations if you'd rather evening guests didn't see the daytime plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do you word a reception-only invitation?
Invite guests to the celebration, give the time and place, and add one line about the ceremony if you want to, such as a private family ceremony earlier that day.
Is it rude to invite people to the reception but not the ceremony?
No. Small ceremonies with bigger parties are common. It only feels rude when the wording is vague and guests find out on the day.
Do evening guests need to RSVP?
Yes. The venue still needs to know how many people to expect for drinks and food.
What do I write for a party after we've already married?
Say that you're married and that this is the celebration, then give the usual details. A light line about eloping or marrying abroad sets the tone.