Wording on Invitations - HELP!!

mjhaupt9

Hello all!!

   I am having a destination wedding at the end of November. We will then be having a reception back home about a week later for everyone who was unable to attend the wedding so we can all celebrate together and everyone for everyone to still feel included and that they were a part of our special event.

   For the reception, we are planning on have hors d'oeuvres only with beer and wine only (no liquor). Obviously we want to let everyone know what to expect at the reception in regards to food. I'm under the impression that this is a 'cocktail style reception', however the fact that there is no liquor at the reception makes 'cocktail style reception' misleading since there technically won't be cocktails.

   Does anyone have any advice on how this should be worded?? Perhaps 'hors d'oeuvres style reception'??

   PLEASE HELP!!

Jen4948

Wording for a reception is "Reception to follow" when the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, and "Reception/Immediately following the ceremony" when it's at a different venue. The type of hospitality is never described, because it's assumed to be appropriate for the time of day, and a polite guest does not ask for information about whether or not certain types of food or beverages will be served and then declines if it's not provided. There doesn't have to be alcohol served at a "cocktail hour" - the term just means a period after the end of the ceremony when refreshments are served prior to the main hospitality, and the honorees have not yet arrived.

NYCMercedes

mjhaupt9 said:

Hello all!!

   I am having a destination wedding at the end of November. We will then be having a reception back home about a week later for everyone who was unable to attend the wedding so we can all celebrate together and everyone for everyone to still feel included and that they were a part of our special event.

   For the reception, we are planning on have hors d'oeuvres only with beer and wine only (no liquor). Obviously we want to let everyone know what to expect at the reception in regards to food. I'm under the impression that this is a 'cocktail style reception', however the fact that there is no liquor at the reception makes 'cocktail style reception' misleading since there technically won't be cocktails.

   Does anyone have any advice on how this should be worded?? Perhaps 'hors d'oeuvres style reception'??

   PLEASE HELP!!

I would drop "reception" as that will have occurred the week before. I'd invite them to a celebration with the party hours listed. As a guest, I'd assume you'd be serving food appropriate to the hour. No need to tell them your menu or even mention the word cocktail.

CMGragain

I am sorry, but you only get one WEDDING reception, and that is on the day of your ceremony.  It is for your guests to thank them for attending your wedding.  Your invitations should be for this event.

You can have as many parties as you wish when you return, but they are not part of your wedding day.  You get ONE DAY.  Send out separate invitations for the celebration party.  Do not wear your wedding dress, because your wedding is over, and you will be a married woman, not a bride.  You may show off your wedding pictures, videos, honeymoon photos, so I would wait a while before you have this celebration party.  People will want to see your pictures.  Keep it casual, like an open house or any other party.  Trying to recreate a big wedding reception when your wedding is over is just silly.

Invitations for your celebration party can be simple, fill in invitations from the card shop, or you could do this:

Mr. and Mrs. John Already Married
request the pleasure of your company
to celebrate their recent marriage
Date
time
Address
City, State

Do not have this party at dinner time, or people will expect more food.  It is fine to post information about this party on your wedding website, but do not include it in your wedding invitation, since it is not part of your wedding.  Use word of mouth.