Happy Hour Wording??

Qston

Hi Ladies, hoping you can help me come up with some new wording.

FI and I are trying to finalize the wording for our invites, (we are doing two invites, one for smaller group for ceremony and reception, and a second for everyone else, inviting to reception) We are struggling with the reception only card, and can't figure out what to call the "Cocktail Hour" if we aren't serving cocktails (beer and wine only) - and I want to let people know that the dinner won't be served right away at 6 if they show up then.

Any suggestions?? Please assist.

 

Together with their families
Groom and Bride
request the pleasure of your company
at a dinner reception
to celebrate their friendship, love and marriage. 

August 13, 2010
6 o'clock in the evening
Location

Cocktail hour begins at 6 pm with Dinner and Dancing to follow (or?)
Beverage service begins at 6 pm with Dinner at 7 pm and dancing to follow.
OR???  (FI thinks Happy Hour sounds too trashy)

TIA!

janedoe1113a

Cocktail hour at 6pm with dinner and dancing to follow.

But why are you not inviting everyone to your ceremony?

Qston

We are just doing family for the ceremony.

Is it weird to say cocktails though if only beer and wine are being served, and not actual cocktails?

ChelseaBFH

I think "cocktail hour," in wedding universe, is pretty well understood to mean just a time where you can have a few drinks and snacks before the reception gets going.

If you wanted to get cute, you could call it something like "mixing and mingling."

tenofcups4me

I would just call it for 6:00. People don't need to know the details of the timeline beyond the time they're invited to get there.

SaraAndrew2010

I agree with PP.  Just say reception at 6:00.  People know that dinner is not going to be served exactly at 6:00.

squirrly

We said "Dinner, Dancing, and Drinks".  You don't have to detail the menu at this point.

Also, this line:

to celebrate their friendship, love and marriage.

is awkward to me.  You're inviting people really to celebrate your marriage.  Friendship and love are wonderful, but the reason for the party is the marriage.  With just friendship and love, you'd be happy, but party-less.  I'd eliminate the words in red.