How to Design and Word Your Wedding Reception Invitations
According to etiquette, everyone invited to your wedding ceremony should be invited to the reception. However, it’s perfectly okay to have a small ceremony with a select few guests followed by a big party with all of your friends and family. Just make sure that your wedding reception invitations are smartly worded so that guests know which aspects of your big day they are welcome to attend.
Having separate invitations for the ceremony and reception can be a big sigh of relief for couples who don’t like the spotlight or who would rather their ceremony be a private affair. You can also use wedding reception invitations to follow a spur-of-the-moment elopement or destination wedding with a big bash back home. Here, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about reception-only wedding invitations.
Sending Wedding Reception-Only Invitations
When you start wedding planning, the first thing you’ll want to do is create multiple guest lists for your wedding events. Chances are you might not require a rehearsal dinner for a smaller ceremony, but it might be nice to gather with parents and a few close friends the night before.
Once you know what you’re doing the night before the ceremony, create your ceremony guest list. It can be anywhere from just the betrothed and necessary witnesses to a mid-sized group of loved ones.
Lastly, make a separate wedding guest list for your reception. Just be sure everyone who is invited to the ceremony is also invited to the reception.
From here, you have several options. You can send two wedding invitations — one for the ceremony and one for the wedding reception. Or you can send one invitation for the reception and include a private message for those invited to the ceremony with necessary details and RSVP information. You might even decide to host a reception-only wedding. With evites, any option is easy and economical.
How to Word Wedding Reception-Only Invitations
However you decide to send your invitations, you’ll want to be careful with your wedding invitation wording. Be clear in specifying that guests are invited to a reception celebrating your marriage. This suggests they will not be witnessing your marriage but that you will be arriving at the reception as newlyweds.
Here are some examples of great wedding reception invitation wording:
- Please join us at the wedding reception for Sarah and John in celebration of their marriage
- You are invited to a reception celebrating the wedding of Josh and Adam
- Just married! Join the newlyweds for a celebration at noon
- The new Mr. and Mrs. Smith welcome you to celebrate their marriage at their reception
This way, you can schedule your ceremony a few hours — or even a few weeks — before the reception. Or you might even host your reception before a ceremony that’s scheduled at a destination afterward. In this case, you might say, “Sarah and John invite you to a wedding reception in anticipation of their coming marriage.”
Even with the best phrasing, some guests may be confused. If they inquire about the nuptials, let them know that you are holding a private ceremony but are excited to celebrate with them at the reception. Just be sure to hold firm if anyone pressures you to come to the ceremony, or it might become a slippery slope of exceptions.
How to Find Your Dream Wedding Reception Invites
Before you can send out your invites, you first need to find the perfect match. Luckily, you’re in the right place — we have hundreds of different wedding invitation templates to choose from. Whether your style is sophisticated, boho, romantic, minimalist, or gothic, there’s a wedding stationery set for you.
Think about your personal style and what you love. Consider colors, styles, aesthetics, and eras that make you and your partner smile. If you have a wedding theme already, use that as inspiration for your wedding invitation cards — or you could look to your destination, venue, or a favorite memory to provide you with ideas.
It’s easy to transform any of our digital invitations into reception-only invites. All you need to do is adjust the text slightly and voilá — you have a stunning reception invitation in moments. That’s not all you can customize, either. Our invitation templates allow you to change the colors, fonts, layout, and wording to make the invite feel completely personalized.
9 Lovely Wedding Reception Invitation Designs
The last piece of the puzzle is to choose the right wedding party invitation. Most wedding invitation designs will be versatile enough to work for reception-only events as well — especially our digital wedding invitations. Just be sure to personalize the look and wording to focus on the reception rather than the entire wedding day.
1. Layered Florals Invitation
Design: Shiny Penny Studio
Gorgeous hand painted florals and greenery take center stage on this lush modern wedding invitation. The couple’s names are tucked into the artwork on banners above and below an artful “and.” Personalize your wording to something like this: “Celebrate the union of Emerson and Joseph in a wedding reception at Trinity Episcopal.” Matching save the date cards and thank you notes round out this gorgeous wedding invitation suite.
2. Elegant Overlay Invitation
Design: Owl and Toad
If you already eloped a few weeks back and are holding a separate reception, a gorgeous photo card can double as a wedding announcement and reception invitation. Share your favorite wedding photo from your intimate ceremony. (Of course, this can work with your engagement photos as well.) Personalize your wording to say, “Join us to celebrate the marriage of Amelia & Mathis in a wedding reception September 10.”
3. Art Deco Diamond Invitation
Design: Becky Nimoy Stationary
For a reception-only invitation, this Art Deco design screams “party.” Gold foil diamond artwork á la Great Gatsby pops against a black background. In the center, plenty of stylized retro text and script holds your invitation details. Simply change the copy at the top to read, “Wedding Reception,” and include relevant information below — including a link to your wedding website.
4. Perennial Crest Invitation
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Romantic watercolor blooms surround a monogrammed crest in this vintage elegant wedding invitation. Raw edges and whimsical cursive text complete the shabby-chic look. For a reception card, customize the text at the bottom to read, “joyfully request your presence at a wedding reception.”
5. Rustic Evening Invitation
Design: Melissa Egan Design
Complete with string lights that suggest a nighttime affair, this bucolic invitation is perfect for a BBQ or barn reception. Edit the text to specify “wedding reception,” and you’re good to go.
6. Tropical Boho Invitation
Design: Ashley DeMeyere Design
Put a fun twist on boho with this tropical floral wedding invitation. We love the letterpress style detail, beautiful floral illustration, and modern color palette. It’s perfect for a contemporary or tropical themed wedding reception.
7. Rustic Charm Invitation
Design: Jessica Williams
A chalkboard background (also available in wood or kraft paper) gives this wedding reception card vintage flair. A mix of simple text and script is accented by an understated monogram at the top. Change “marriage celebration” to “wedding reception,” and you’ve covered your bases.
8. 3 Photo Charm Invitation
Design: Claudia Owen
If you had an intimate elopement or town hall ceremony a few months back, there’s no better way to share the snapshots than a photo collage card. This smart invitation card can house three photos from your wedding or engagement shoot. In the center, stylized text highlights the couple’s names and reception details.
9. Enthralled Invitation
Design: Itsy Belle Studio
This dramatic invitation is perfect for an evening reception. The hand-painted alcohol ink background features gold foil accents to create a luxe and enchanting effect. The invitation set includes matching save the dates and thank you notes, ideal for the modern couple.
Wedding Reception Invitations Are Ready to Celebrate
If you’re having a private ceremony, you can still send party invitations for your reception. First, create two guest lists for each affair. Then carefully edit your invitation design and wording to specify that guests are invited to the reception only.
You can either send two separate invitations or simply choose a beautiful wedding reception invitation. Then use Greenvelope’s private messaging tools to reach guests who are invited to the ceremony as well. This can act as an easy RSVP card for each event.
If any of your guests inquire about the ceremony, politely let them know it will be an intimate, private affair but you are thrilled to see them at the reception.
Cheers to your beautiful day!
