We're just in the planning stages right now, but we have one idea that I want to get some imput on before it becomes part of the plan. First some background info...
Our tenative date is 8/31/12 (Friday of Labor Day weekend) for a +150 guest Catholic wedding in my hometown in Northern Michigan. FI is from South Carolina, about two days' drive from the wedding, which FMIL is (understandabily, but passive agressively) disappointed about. FI and I live in Washington, DC, where having a wedding would be hella expensive and require EVERYONE to travel, not just one side or the other. FI also agrees, according to tradition and the fact that my parents are probably footing the entire bill, having it in MI is more fair to them. (Plus I have a huge family, 90% of whom are in MI and FI's family is smaller and spread throughought the country).
FI and I will both be 28 on the wedding date and I'm over the need to feel like a princess on my wedding day. I'd much prefer a Friday 4pm nuptual mass followed by a cocktail reception at 7pm with heavy appetizers, cake, and dancing from 8 til 11. Now for the problem...
My grandmother is 87 and many of my dear greataunts/greatuncles/other relatives, for a total of at least 13 guests, are greater than 80 years old and who would be unlikely to enjoy or attend the late reception. So, my mom had the idea of having a mini reception with champane, punch, and coffee directly after the ceremony in one of the side rooms of the church, from 5 until 6 - to give FI and I a chance to chat with these guests and they can go home without feeling obligated to go to the main reception which is too late for them.
If we went with this plan, how should be it be worded on the invitations? Or should the invitation for this be an extra insert? I'd like to convey that this is an option we're providing for the comfort of our "senior" guests, but not meant to be a reception for everyone to attend. Is that wrong? What's the best way to handle it?