dessert reception wording

lookame3639

How should I word dessert reception on the invite? It's going to be small, cupcakes instead of cake, chocolate covered pretzles, water, pop, sparkling juice and some other food selections. We're tossing around the idea of finger sandwiches but the ceremony and reception are somewhat far away(an hour and 15 minutes) and the closest town that has restaurants and grocery stores is about a half an hour away so the food has to travel well. I was thinking of adding a line saying "Small dessert reception following ceremony" or something like that. I'd also like to treat everyone to dinner at a restaurant in the nearest town so I'm not sure how to include that either or if I should just do a word of mouth.(I know it's backwards, dessert then dinner but it'll be a half hour drive into town for dinner and I want to do something to tide guests over till meal time. Our ceremony is at 2pm and the reception will end roughly around 4pm).

Also since the site is so far away from where everyone lives, should I include a card with some local bed and breakfasts and/or places to stay? I'm thinking if everything runs smoothly, reception ends and dinner lasts about an hour and half then guests would make it home around 7:30 or 8pm but I'm not sure if they'll wan to do all that driving all around.

I'm only having 10 people total, our parents, our kids, and one or two close friends.

singinchick13

So you are intending the dessert portion to be your reception and the dinner afterward is just an extra optional thing? Or is the dinner included in the 'reception'? I'm a little confused.

singinchick13

The way I'm reading it I would just put "Reception to follow" and then include a separate insert for the dinner you are hosting afterward. If you would like to include accommodation information on a separate insert as well you can, but with such a close-knit group it is likely not required. You can post details on your website if you have one.

lookame3639

Ok thanks.

Yeah the reception is just a light desserts and snacks thing. I plan to thanks everyone for coming and I also plan to do a first dance with FI. The dinner isn't really part if the reception it's more of an after/social thing.

[Deleted User]

Since your guest list is so small you have two options that I can think off to have your invite state "a dessert service will be provided immediately after the ceremony. Then please join us for dinner at xxx resturant at x:xx PM." Chances are if your guests are traveling that far, they would probably stay for dinner if they know. The second option is to just do word of mouth about dinner. Personally I like the idea of putting on invite because then people know what is going on & won't forget since it's on the invite and you'll have a head count then for the resturant. If someone is going to come to just ceremony & not dinner, I'm sure they would write it on the RSVP or call you & let you know. Including information for local hotels and B&B would be a nice touch. Try to provide information on things in different prices if possible. For some guests the distance might not be too bad, but others might enjoy making a little get away out of your wedding.

lookame3639

Erikan73 said:

Since your guest list is so small you have two options that I can think off to have your invite state "a dessert service will be provided immediately after the ceremony. Then please join us for dinner at xxx resturant at x:xx PM." Chances are if your guests are traveling that far, they would probably stay for dinner if they know. The second option is to just do word of mouth about dinner. Personally I like the idea of putting on invite because then people know what is going on & won't forget since it's on the invite and you'll have a head count then for the resturant. If someone is going to come to just ceremony & not dinner, I'm sure they would write it on the RSVP or call you & let you know.

Including information for local hotels and B&B would be a nice touch. Try to provide information on things in different prices if possible. For some guests the distance might not be too bad, but others might enjoy making a little get away out of your wedding.

This makes sense. I am doing pocket fold style invites and have 2 cards which I can provide information on. I can put local hotels and such on one card. I'm not sure if I should put reception info or directions on the second...

CMGragain

You don't need any special wording.  The reception following a 2:00 PM ceremony is normally cake and punch.  "Reception to follow" will be fine.

banana468

CMGragain said:

You don't need any special wording.  The reception following a 2:00 PM ceremony is normally cake and punch.  "Reception to follow" will be fine.

I have to disagree. DH and were married at 2 PM and our reception began at 4 (no gap! ) and served a full meal. In our crowd and area, a dessert reception would not have been expected and would need to have been announced.