Have I made a wording mistake?

ADH0906 · June 2013

I'm temporarily leaving Lurker status out of sheer panic... I think I may have made a wording mistake on my invitation!

I worded them:

Together with their families

BRIDE

and

GROOM

request the pleasure of your company

at the celebration of their marriage

In hindsight, I'm wondering if the above bolded doesn't make it sound like we're having a vow renewal or post-wedding party? I just sent in the invitation and haven't received the proof yet, so I'm reasonably sure they'll let me make changes. Thoughts are kindly appreciated!

QueerFemme · June 2013

AshleyHowder said:

I'm temporarily leaving Lurker status out of sheer panic... I think I may have made a wording mistake on my invitation!

I worded them:
Together with their families
BRIDE
and
GROOM
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage

In hindsight, I'm wondering if the above bolded doesn't make it sound like we're having a vow renewal or post-wedding party? I just sent in the invitation and haven't received the proof yet, so I'm reasonably sure they'll let me make changes. Thoughts are kindly appreciated

Yes, I think this sounds like you are having a post-ceremony party. I would read this as "I'm not being invited to witness the wedding ceremony"

QueerFemme · June 2013

I would change it to:

Together with their families

BRIDE
and
GROOM

request the honour of your presence (pleasure of your company, if not being married in a church)

as they are united in marriage

on DATE YEAR
at TIME
CEREMONY LOCATION
STREET ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

HisGirlFriday13 · June 2013

Ditto PPs -- I'd see that and think, "Oh, I'm being invited to the reception after a ceremony that has already happened," OR "I'm being being invited to a vow renewal." I like cmg's wording.

ADH0906 · June 2013

Thanks for the help, ladies!

Jen4948 · June 2013

The word "celebration" suggests that the marriage ceremony has already taken place. If it hasn't, I'd use CMGr's wording or "at the marriage of/Bride/and/Groom."

tiny speck · June 2013

This is really weird to me. I used the exact wording as OP and it never occurred to me that it could indicate the ceremony had already taken place. No one called me on it either, or was confused to find out that they would be watching our ceremony. Maybe because I included a "reception to follow" line at the bottom?

Jen4948 · June 2013

CMGr said:

Jen4948 said:

The word "celebration" suggests that the marriage ceremony has already taken place. If it hasn't, I'd use CMGr's wording or "at the marriage of/Bride/and/Groom."

What? I didn't post on this one because others had it covered.

Sorry, I got confused. I meant cmgilpin. My apologies.

But the wording you give in other threads is a good example.

ADH0906 · June 2013

Tiny speck, I agree... I understand their rationalization, and never would have noticed it if not for a random sighting on one of these boards. I realize it MAY be a mistake but I'm uncertain if I'm going to change it. I also included all of the location information and 'reception to immediately follow' at the bottom, and it would never, never, EVER cross my mind that it was a renewal if I were to get an invitation worded as such. Then again, I've never known anyone that had a vow renewal or a post-ceremony party ... just doesn't happen often where I grew up. Most of the invitation sites have examples worded as 'celebration of their union' so I'm a bit confused :-\

(Edited for typo)

libby2483 · June 2013

ADH0906 said:

Tiny speck, I agree... I understand their rationalization, and never would have noticed it if not for a random sighting on one of these boards. I realize it MAY be a mistake but I'm uncertain if I'm going to change it. I also included all of the location information and 'reception to immedately follow' at the bottom, and it would never, never, EVER cross my mind that it was a renewal if I were to get an invitation worded as such. Then again, I've never known anyone that had a vow renewal or a post-ceremony party ... just doesn't happen often where I grew up. Most of the invitation sites have examples worded as 'celebration of their union' so I'm a bit confused :-\

People who are etiquette-savvy when it comes to invitation wording likely will notice, though. My parents received an invitation with this wording, so they thought they were only invited to the reception. They were surprised when they arrived to realize they were attending the ceremony and reception. I mean, it isn't a huge deal, but there's no harm in wording it correctly to avoid confusion.

LilyIron · June 2013

That's how I worded my invitation too. My invitations are already sent and the wedding is about a month away. (No one has said anything to me about it) I think if you included reception information with/in the invitation as well, you will be ok.

ADH0906 · June 2013

I went with 'celebration of their union' ... if that's the worst mistake I make in the planning process, so be it (*ducks in fear*). Oddly, the only thing I've gotten comments on are that I used 'half after' rather than 'half past'. Isn't it weird how people get caught up in the little things?

Have I made a wording mistake?

Re: Have I made a wording mistake?

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