My fiance and I are getting married in a very small ceremony in April, but having a large "party" in September for friends and family. We will be sending out save the dates for the party before we're actually married (we have many out of town guests who will need to make travel plans), so I'm just wondering what the wording should be on the save the dates?
Celebration of upcoming nuptials?
Join us for a wedding reception?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Re: Help with Wording Save the Dates
Bride's Full Name
and
Groom's Full Name
announce their marriage
Date
City, State
No other information should be included.
You send out invitations for your party just like you would for any other party. It is NOT a part of your wedding. It is NOT your wedding reception!
Save the Dates are not appropriate. Those are for wedding invitations, not parties.
I am confused by your post, and I have revised mine twice. Your wedding comes first, in April, correct? Then five months later you are having a big party?
This party is simply a party. Do not expect gifts. I would expect a lot of declines. People will be disappointed to not have been invited to your wedding.
I'm sure your family loves you and cares about you, and they don't want to hurt your feelings by telling you that your plans are rude. On The Knot, we tell you the truth, which some of them might be thinking.
Go ahead and have your party. You can have a party anytime. Trying to make it a part of your wedding day is what is wrong.
There are rules of behavior called "etiquette". They are about how you treat your guests. You want to ignore etiquette and invite people to a second celebration, and expect them to be happy about missing your real wedding. This is rude.
Why not just have a great party? There is nothing wrong with that.
There is also nothing wrong with being non-traditional. Things like a white wedding dress, tossing your bouquet at the reception, bridesmaids, groomsmen, all these things are optional. Treating your guests with politeness and care is not optional.
Yes, the bride and groom can do whatever they want - if they elope. The minute they invite guests, then they wedding plans must be about treating the guests according to established etiquette.
QFP.