How To Send A Reception-Only Wedding Invitation

Weddings have recently gone through a major facelift. The entire structural pattern of the traditional wedding day has been broken down and modified, parts of which are done away with, while other parts are carefully cherry-picked to meet the couple's unique requirements. Decades worth of changes have been undergone in just a couple of yours thanks to a global pandemic. It goes without saying that people who had planned to get married in recent years have faced some unheard-of obstacles. Weddings have been rescheduled, modified to fit the current norm, and even called off. However, a lot of couples are choosing to have a smaller, more private, or virtual ceremony, followed by a reception with family and friends. Reception-only invitations fill that unique requirement.

So What is a Reception-Only Invite?

Reception-only invitations are a requirement whether you're dividing the dates of your ceremony and reception or you've always wanted to welcome guests just at the reception portion. These invites, as the name implies, are sent to people who have been specifically invited to your wedding reception. If the couple has a few guests who are not invited to the ceremony or if the couple has previously been married, especially through a private elopement ceremony, reception-only invitations can be useful. Reception-only invitations essentially only include information related to the reception.

Why Do You Send Reception-Only Invites?

Now let's discuss the philosophy behind sending invitations that are limited to the reception. Due to the coronavirus, we are increasingly noticing couples who choose short civil ceremonies rather than canceling their nuptials altogether. Only the couple getting married, the minister, and any witnesses typically attend modest gatherings. Couples are still able to have their wedding as planned and thereafter organize their celebration this way. But reception-specific invitations are nothing new. An engaged couple might choose to send them out under a few different circumstances. Some of the other instances which might demand a reception-only wedding invitation are elopements or destination weddings if the couple intends to hold a later celebration in their hometown. So in short, when a smaller, more private ceremony is followed by a larger reception, couples choose to send out invitations for the reception exclusively.

When Do You Send Reception Only Invitations?

These should be distributed six to eight weeks before the wedding, just like traditional wedding invitations. This gives visitors an equal amount of time to respond with a yes or no, and (if necessary) make travel and lodging arrangements. Even if there won't be a ceremony, this is still a big occasion, thus preparations should be made.

To Whom Do You Send Them To?

If your wedding date has changed and you have already sent out invitations, you should send reception-only invitations to everyone who previously got a wedding invitation. Your whole guest list will be informed of your changed plans if you do this. An official invitation will also add to the feeling of importance and specialness of the occasion, notwithstanding any difficulties encountered in getting there. Make sure that only people who are invited to the reception receive these invitations if your ceremony and reception are on the same day. Consider your friends, family members, coworkers, and anyone else. Printing two different cards, the main reception card, and a ceremony card with all the wedding information may be appropriate when sending out paper suites. In contrast, visitors who were simply invited to the reception should only receive the main card. Specify how to RSVP for both of them. This prevents confusion and the possibility of offending anyone while getting the appropriate information to the appropriate people.

Reception-Only Invite Etiquette

There are a few etiquette rules you should take into account when mailing your envelopes. Take note that this has a minor difference from wedding reception invitation etiquette.

Same Day Ceremony: Reception-only visitors shouldn't have access to ceremony details. Only attendees who have been invited to both events should get invitations or visit wedding websites that include this. Split the guests into two lists. You will find it much easier to send the appropriate things to the right people if you do this. Invite someone to the reception if you're inviting them to the ceremony. Even while it seems sensible to exclusively invite people to the latter, you shouldn't do the contrary. In addition, wouldn't you want that individual to stay for the celebration if you wanted them to witness your vows? Answer any questions like, "Why am I not invited to the ceremony?" with honesty and kindness. Be honest and explain how delighted you are to have them at your reception, regardless of whether there are financial restrictions or a desire for a small, private ceremony.

Postponed Reception: Even if invites will be distributed to guests several weeks beforehand, it's polite to give them extra notice, especially if you don't intend to send out new save the dates. As you sort things out and new specifics become established, keep everyone informed. A wedding website is a fantastic resource for this data! In the case of eloped couples, they may not be interested in having a larger ceremony but may still want to share in the joyous celebration with their loved ones. Whatever your motivation for doing a brief ceremony, choosing the language for the invitation to the reception only is still an important step in the preparation process.

Before Sending Reception-Only Invitations 

If this is your first time helping to plan a wedding, you might be unclear about how to invite some guests to the ceremony while leaving the others to attend the reception solely. Be aware that you're not the only couple who has wondered about the wording for a reception-only invitation. Here are certain things to keep in mind before sending out the invites.

Make Distinct Guest Lists: You can keep track of which guests are there for both portions of your big day and which ones are just invited to the reception by making different guest lists. Remember that according to appropriate wedding etiquette, each person who attended the ceremony must receive an invitation to the wedding reception. Even though some of your ceremonial guests might forego the reception, they will still respect your request.

Defend Your Position: Be prepared to defend yourself against visitors who have received wedding invites that only include the reception after finalizing your separate guest lists. They can request that you make an exception for them and include them in the ceremonial activities as well. You're more likely to keep going and not leave many other individuals who are only attending the reception if you change your guest list a couple of times. If a guest inquires as to why they were sent an invitation to the wedding reception rather than a ceremonial one, don't be afraid to be upfront. If you give them a rationale for your actions, particularly if they are beyond your control, they will be less likely to take offense. Don't forget to tell them how happy you are to have them at your reception.

Make Your Own Invitations: Think about creating two-card invites for your wedding. The primary card should have the text "reception only" and be mailed to everyone on both guest lists. Only the guests invited to both portions of your special day should receive an insert containing ceremonial details. This design becomes particularly useful by preventing confusion or resentment among your guests. Plan to send out your reception-only wedding invitations as you would the conventional invitations once you've chosen the design for your wedding invites. Plan the timing of your wedding invites to give your guests adequate time to select wedding clothes and, if required, make travel arrangements.

Plan Out Your Events: How you chose to organize the activities for your ceremony and reception will directly affect the wording of your reception-only wedding invites. Plan your wedding reception timeline so there is ample time in the middle if you and your spouse want to hold both festivities on the same day. It's possible that some visitors who simply received a wedding reception invitation show up early and discover they weren't invited to your ceremony. You don't need to worry about this potential discomfort at all if your ceremonies and receptions are scheduled for different dates. Brides and grooms who don't mind spending more money and taking more time during the planning process should choose this option.

Only Reception Tips

Two Different Guest Lists: Two different guest lists will need to be planned: one for the wedding ceremony and reception, and the other just for the reception. You can invite as few people as you like to the ceremony and celebration, whether it's simply your immediate family or 30 of your closest friends and family. The ceremony could be performed at a church, at the location of your reception, or in city hall with just the required witnesses present. 

Be Clear: Keep your stand as the RSVPs start to trickle in. Some attendees may try to persuade you to include them in the invitation list as well. But if you do, you'll inevitably have to make another exception. So maintain your resolve and don't reverse your original choice. Don't forget to express how eager you are to celebrate with them at the reception!

Have an Early Ceremony: Try to schedule your ceremony for earlier in the day if you're planning both the ceremony and the reception for the same day. This will offer you, your close-knit group of friends, plenty of time to rejoice. It will also give you the chance to shoot all the photos you might need before continuing your evening. Once everyone who is attending your reception has arrived, you can make a dramatic entry and immediately begin socializing. 

Timing is Crucial: It's crucial to properly plan the timing for the entire reception. Make sure to give yourself and the attendees of your ceremony plenty of time to go to the reception; ideally, they should arrive at the same time as the other guests so the celebration can begin. If the time specified for your reception is 6:30 p.m. Just in case guests start to show up a little bit earlier than the scheduled start time, you might want to get the venue set up and the bar opens closer to 6 p.m. The two of you can then either start the cocktail hour straight away or have your band or DJ properly introduce you before dinner so you can take your time introducing yourself to the rest of your guests.

Schedule Them Apart: It takes a little more preparation to schedule the ceremony and reception on different days, but it also provides you more freedom. If your schedules permit, you may space the events out over a period of a day or a week. In fact, if you wish, the ceremony and reception can even be held in different states or nations! And it's the ideal justification for putting your wedding gown back on!

Samples of Invitations for a Reception-Only

To save a little money, you can have your main invitation printed with the reception information and then include an insert card with ceremony information for the smaller group of guests who will also be invited to the ceremony. Alternatively, you can print two invitations, with one inviting a smaller group to both your ceremony and reception and one inviting the rest of your guests to the reception only. In either case, how reception-only invites are worded is crucial. We have a few samples below for you to look at.

Sample 1

Jenny and Jason

Wedding Reception

Celebrating the Wedding of

Jenny Ward and Jason Baron

The honor of your presence is requested

on Saturday, the eleventh of March, 2023

at The Maxwell House,

99 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, California

Sample 2

Dahlia and Roger

We're married!

Please join Dahlia and Roger for cocktails, dinner, and dancing

And help us celebrate the happy occasion!

On June 24th, 2023

At Perch in Los Angeles

Sample 3

Jane and Joe

invite you to join us at our reception

celebrating our recent marriage.

Please come get down with us at

7 pm on Saturday, the 26th of August 2023

Bigtown Ballroom

Your Town, WA

Wedding invitations are an integral part of the entire wedding experience, along with color choices and menu picks. However, if the wedding invitation is not clear enough the chance that misunderstanding will happen. If you have already had a virtual wedding or an intimate backyard ceremony and one to invite your friends and family over for just a reception, the expectation should be clearly set on the invitation itself. Surely it's a very tactful procedure however with the right words you shall be able to convey your message successfully. We hope this blog was able to address some of the dilemmas attached to reception-only wedding invitations!