Wedding Etiquette Forum

Reception card wording: Need advice!

I have a question about the reception card.  Background: My wedding ceremony is at 2:30.  People will probably be done and ready to leave there by 3:15-3:30. Out of town guests who are staying at the hotel we have a block at should head back to the hotel, because there is a shuttle between the hotel and reception. Hotel and reception are about 5-8 minutes away from church. Our reception hall will be open at 5 with the bar and appetizers available for guests. The bridal party is not expecting to arrive until 6 or a little after.  My question is should I just simply put the reception starts at 5? Should I distinguish 5 for appetizers, 6 for dinner? Should I say the reception starts at 6? The wedding is not super fancy with a formal cocktail hour and such.  Thanks for your advice

Re: Reception card wording: Need advice!

  • I would put 5.  I would be annoyed to show up for 6 and realize I could have been there earlier.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • On mine I put cocktail hour and dinner at..   I think if you put "Cocktail hour and dinner at 5 o'clock" They would realize that dinner wouldn't be until around 6ish
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-card-wording-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b7d5a726-d15f-4929-84d9-62cf459a6210Post:a491e23e-f610-4d70-b482-88db0bd84fa6">Reception card wording: Need advice!</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have a question about the reception card.  Background: My wedding ceremony is at 2:30.  People will probably be done and ready to leave there by 3:15-3:30. Out of town guests who are staying at the hotel we have a block at should head back to the hotel, because there is a shuttle between the hotel and reception. Hotel and reception are about 5-8 minutes away from church. Our reception hall will be open at 5 with the bar and appetizers available for guests. The bridal party is not expecting to arrive until 6 or a little after.  My question is should I just simply put the reception starts at 5? Should I distinguish 5 for appetizers, 6 for dinner? Should I say the reception starts at 6? The wedding is not super fancy with a f<strong>ormal cocktail hour and such.</strong>  Thanks for your advice
    Posted by medatc[/QUOTE]
    Wait, isn't the formal cocktail hour the 5:00 beginning of drinks and apps for the guests? I would definitely put 5 if that's when the venue will start providing the food and drinks you paid for, no? People generally expect some mingling before the bridal party shows up and dinner starts. 
    image
  • medatcmedatc member
    10 Comments Second Anniversary
    I guess I think of a formal cocktail hour one that is in a separate location than the reception. Maybe I've just watched a little too much Four Weddings?
  • mica178mica178 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    Put that the reception starts at 5, since that's when your venue starts serving food and drinks.  Most guests will know that the formal reception part won't start for an hour or so, and they'll time their arrival at the reception accordingly.
  • I've never heard of a cocktail hour at a completely separate location...
  • From what I understand I would put 'cocktail reception at 5, dinner at 6'
    Is that what is happening? If a guest only come at 6pm, are they missing any food? I just would not want to come at 5pm, if that's just mingling and drinking for an hour. We all want to see the couple! See the dancing and cutting cake! Also, your guests might be more inclined to leave early if they came at 5 thinking that's when everything was starting.
  • medatcmedatc member
    10 Comments Second Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-card-wording-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b7d5a726-d15f-4929-84d9-62cf459a6210Post:86cb8ddb-cdd8-4b4d-8708-639baa84acc3">Re: Reception card wording: Need advice!</a>:
    [QUOTE]From what I understand I would put 'cocktail reception at 5, dinner at 6' Is that what is happening? If a guest only come at 6pm, are they missing any food? I just would not want to come at 5pm, if that's just mingling and drinking for an hour. We all want to see the couple! See the dancing and cutting cake! Also, your guests might be more inclined to leave early if they came at 5 thinking that's when everything was starting.
    Posted by EllenG27[/QUOTE]

    <div>There will be veggie trays, fruit, cheese and crackers. Just some munchies. </div>
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards