My fiance and I are planning to have a courthouse wedding ceremony this May with close family and friends. Then a few days later we are planning to have a huge wedding reception for everyone to come and celebrate our union.
The problem is, I don’t know that "correct" words or phrase to use on the wedding reception invitations without sounding offensive to those who may have not been invited to the ceremony.
So, what is a good way to word my wedding reception invitations?
My suggestion would be something like "Please join us for a celebration of the (recent) marriage/union of [insert names]."
Here’s an excerpt from the about.com website about reception invitation wording –
Invitation to Reception Only
It is becoming more common for a couple who eloped or had a destination wedding to have a reception later in their hometown. Be careful in the phrasing – don’t make it look like there was a local wedding to which they weren’t invited, or that you only want more gifts.
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Fielding
Invite you to join us
In celebrating the recent marriage of our daughter
Alice Pearson Fielding
To
Arjun Gangadharan
Which took place March 25, 2005 in Dubai, India
Come toast the happy couple
Saturday, August 19, 2005
Grovers Country Club
Plano, Texas
Or
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Fielding
Invite you to join them for a dinner honoring
Mr. and Mrs. Arjun and Alice Fielding Gangadharan
Saturday, August 19, 2005
Etc.
This example makes it clear that their daughter is married, yet doesn’t make it look like a second wedding, thus gifts are not expected.
http://weddings.about.com/od/weddinginvitations/a/invitationwordi.htm
By the way, my fiance and I are planning to do much the same thing, so I know exactly how delicate the situation can be!