How to let guests know what is going on, do you put this in the invite

audreyecu61

I've been to dozens of weddings, I pulled the invites from afew and the are all worded different.

So my venue is covering ceremony and reception. I plan to have ceremony start at 4 (though I realize the day of it may be later), we are having a short ceremony, so we were thinking cocktails starting right after ceremony in adjoining garden, so let's say cocktails/appetizers for an hour while we take pictures. Then dinner.

Do I list this in the invitations? or do I let people assume that since I'm asking them to come at 4, they'll be dinner too.

I would assume there is a meal, but that is me.

Suggestions?

AddieCake

You can put "Reception to follow" or "Reception immediately following" at the bottom if you want. 

libby2483

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_how-to-let-guests-know-what-is-going-on-do-you-put-this-in-the-invite?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:caf13544-1818-49e6-a543-13728ddcb8d6Post:57ebad47-9641-4f17-899b-45dae47b1bb3">How to let guests know what is going on, do you put this in the invite</a>:
[QUOTE]I've been to dozens of weddings, I pulled the invites from afew and the are all worded different. So my venue is covering ceremony and reception. <strong>I plan to have ceremony start at 4 (though I realize the day of it may be later)</strong>, we are having a short ceremony, so we were thinking cocktails starting right after ceremony in adjoining garden, so let's say cocktails/appetizers for an hour while we take pictures. Then dinner. Do I list this in the invitations? or do I let people assume that since I'm asking them to come at 4, they'll be dinner too. I would assume there is a meal, but that is me. Suggestions?
Posted by audreyecu61[/QUOTE]

<div>Ditto Addie on wording.  Also, if you put 4:00 on the invitations, you need to start at 4:00.  It would be very rude to keep your guests waiting.  I understand that sometimes there are unforseen or emergency circumstances that could result in a wedding starting late, but barring these circumstances, you need to start on the time that is on the invitation.</div>

MyNameIsNot

Just put "reception to follow."  At 4:00, people know they'll be there for another couple of hours, meaning dinner time.  If you are having a plated meal, you can include the food choice on the RSVP card to clue them in.  

audreyecu61

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm just concerned that people won't know I'm planning on feeding them.

I am always timely, I don't wait for people and yes I agree it's very very rude to be late when you invite people to an event.

However say that It's all the other people we know that are always late, even to weddings. My family is notoriously late. And the venue is local! We just know they will be late. But that's another post in another section... maybe.

My FI have already decided that we have a set time we will start and anyone not there will have to wait.

libby2483

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_how-to-let-guests-know-what-is-going-on-do-you-put-this-in-the-invite?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:caf13544-1818-49e6-a543-13728ddcb8d6Post:78cc2d3b-869a-4f90-b8b1-77d7815b6ff2">Re: How to let guests know what is going on, do you put this in the invite</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm just concerned that people won't know I'm planning on feeding them. I am always timely, I don't wait for people and yes I agree it's very very rude to be late when you invite people to an event. However say that It's all the other people we know that are always late, even to weddings. My family is notoriously late. And the venue is local! We just know they will be late. But that's another post in another section... maybe. My FI have already decided that we have a set time we will start and anyone not there will have to wait.
Posted by audreyecu61[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm glad to hear this.  I'm someone who is on time for weddings, so I hate when they start late because the bride, groom, or someone else important is running late.  If your guests are late, they will be the ones who are embarrassed because they missed the wedding or are trying to sneak in and find seats at the last second.  </div><div>
</div><div>Also, if your wedding is at 4:00, and you write "reception to follow", people will assume you will be feeding them dinner, based on the time of day.  Our wedding was at 3:30, and we just put "reception to follow" on our invitation. </div>

Jen4948

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_how-to-let-guests-know-what-is-going-on-do-you-put-this-in-the-invite?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:caf13544-1818-49e6-a543-13728ddcb8d6Post:57ebad47-9641-4f17-899b-45dae47b1bb3">How to let guests know what is going on, do you put this in the invite</a>:
[QUOTE]I've been to dozens of weddings, I pulled the invites from afew and the are all worded different. So my venue is covering ceremony and reception. I plan to have ceremony start at 4 (though I realize the day of it may be later), we are having a short ceremony, so we were thinking cocktails starting right after ceremony in adjoining garden, so let's say cocktails/appetizers for an hour while we take pictures. Then dinner. Do I list this in the invitations? or do I let people assume that since I'm asking them to come at 4, they'll be dinner too. I would assume there is a meal, but that is me. Suggestions?
Posted by audreyecu61[/QUOTE]

If the ceremony starts at 4, make that the time you put on your invitations.  I'd then put "Reception to follow."

Sierra524

Can you get reception cards to include with the invites? I ordered mine on vistaprint & got a card with the reception info on it to put in with the invites. I hate that I am adding another card with the invites and the rsvp card, but I felt that it was the easiest way to get all the details out there.

KerisaHarman21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_how-to-let-guests-know-what-is-going-on-do-you-put-this-in-the-invite?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:caf13544-1818-49e6-a543-13728ddcb8d6Post:78cc2d3b-869a-4f90-b8b1-77d7815b6ff2">Re: How to let guests know what is going on, do you put this in the invite</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm just concerned that people won't know I'm planning on feeding them. I am always timely, I don't wait for people and yes I agree it's very very rude to be late when you invite people to an event. However say that It's all the other people we know that are always late, even to weddings. My family is notoriously late. And the venue is local! We just know they will be late. But that's another post in another section... maybe. My FI have already decided that we have a set time we will start and anyone not there will have to wait.
Posted by audreyecu61[/QUOTE]

LOL all guests assume they will be fed unless its specified in the invitation especially if it's at 4pm if you were doing a 12pm wedding they might just assume a light lunch/hordourves (sp?)  so I wouldn't worry just put reception to follow immediately or however you would like to say it.