Wedding Invitation Planning – How to Invite Family Only to Your Ceremony & Everyone Else to Your Reception—Without Offending Anyone

In the 17 years that I have been planning and holding Weddings at Palafox Wharf Waterfront, every once in a while, a couple or mother of the bride will come in and tell me they want a Family only Ceremony followed by an extended photo session around the venue, downtown, and maybe the beach. Then, hours later come back to Palafox Wharf Waterfront with all the rest of their guests for a Celebration (the reception) of their marriage.

Great! No problem! But you need guidance on this and this is often accompanied by some of the most important and difficult choices – including how best to extend invitations to the reception only to some guests while maintaining the ceremony as intimate as desired. Whether it’s for family-only vows or you simply want to keep things simple with your vows, there are considerate and respectful ways to approach this situation.

Here’s everything you need to know about wording your invitations, managing expectations, and making sure everyone feels valued.

Why Have a Ceremony-Family Only Guest List?

There are several reasons that are used by couples to request a small intimate wedding ceremony followed by a  larger reception, including:    

• A passion for having a small, intimate, family only, significant vows  exchange   
• Couples do not desire to spend money for the full ceremony and reception experience
• Logistical considerations for a destination wedding
• Personal preferences for a small ceremony but a big celebration

As with any wedding, it is important to handle the invitation process thoughtfully in order to make  sure guests feel included and appreciated.

Two Ways to Word Your Invitations

When inviting guests to the reception only, being clear is key. Here are two ways to structure your invitations:

1. Print Two Separate Invitations

One invitation should be for those invited to both the ceremony and reception, while the second invitation should be for those attending only the reception. These invitations should look very similar to keep things consistent but one should have different wording than the other.

Ceremony & Reception Invite Examples:
With the love and support of their families,

 [Couple’s Names]

Would be honored if you could join them on their special day for both their wedding ceremony  and reception.

[Date, Time, Venue Details]

A formal dinner will be served, and then  dancing will continue into the night.

The word for Reception-Only Invite: 

With happiness, we  would like to invite you to celebrate the wedding of

[Couple’s Names]

In their honor,  a wedding reception will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Details].

We  would like to welcome you with cocktails, dinner and fill the dance floor.

2. Use One Invitation with a Separate Ceremony Card

For a more friendly cost-effective option, it is recommended to print one main invitation with reception information and place  a ceremony specific insert card for those attending the ceremony only in with it.

Main Invitation (Reception Only):

[Couple’s Names] Request your presence at their reception only on [Date] at  [Time] at [Venue].

Food, drinks and dancing to follow!

Ceremony Insert for Selected Guests:

Ceremony Insert Card for Selected Guests: A small intimate ceremony will take place before the reception at [Date] at [Time] at  [Venue].

We are looking forward to celebrating with you after.

Handling Guest Expectations & Reactions

Some guests may be disappointed not to be invited to the ceremony, but the right approach can prevent misunderstandings:

• Be upfront and transparent: You don’t have to justify your decision, but a simple explanation like, “We’re keeping our ceremony small with just immediate family, but we can’t wait to celebrate with you at the reception!” can help.
• Stick to your plan: If word gets out, some guests may ask to attend the ceremony. Avoid exceptions, as it can create tension.
• Make them feel valued: Express excitement about their presence at the reception. Phrasing such as “We wouldn’t want to celebrate without you!” adds warmth.

Reception-Only Timeline Considerations

If your ceremony is on the same day as your reception, plan your timeline carefully:

• Hold the ceremony earlier in the day to allow time for photos and a moment to unwind.
• Insure there’s no awkward time gap before guests arrive for the reception. That means you do not want reception guests walking into your venue while the ceremony is being held. There needs to be enough of a time gap between the two.
• Arrive at the reception venue at the same time as your guests, making a grand entrance together.

If the reception is on a different day, consider making it another celebration also to some extent, for example, you can have a second ‘grand entrance’, a video of the ceremony or even restaging of your first dance.

Extra Touch: Provide Babysitting Services

Suppose some guests may feel that they would like to make babysitting arrangements for the ceremony for their children. In that case, you might want to provide some suggestions for babysitters or even book a certified babysitter for the group at a hotel nearby which is one block from Palafox Wharf Waterfront Wedding Venue.  This will make the parents feel special and it will be a big help to them to be able to come to your reception.  And, if they feel they need to pop out to say hello to their children, a quick walk to the nearby hotel is easy to do.

Crafting the Perfect Reception-Only Wedding Invitations

Planning a wedding involves many decisions, and one of them is the guest list which is rather a delicate issue.  Many couples want an intimate ceremony with close family only, followed by a larger reception to include more friends and extended family.  Sometimes this ceremony is at a family home and other times it is at the Palafox Wharf Waterfront Venue usually on the scenic waterfront deck.  This approach allows for a personal exchange of vows while still celebrating with a broader circle.  However, effectively communicating this plan to your guests requires careful wording on your invitations.

Understanding Reception-Only Invitation

A reception-only invitation is extended to guests who are invited to celebrate your marriage but not to attend the ceremony itself. This distinction is essential to convey clearly, ensuring guests understand they’re invited to the post-ceremony festivities. Proper wording maintains transparency and prevents any potential misunderstandings.

Why Choose Separate Invitations?

Choosing separate invitations serves multiple purposes:

• Personalization: Create the ceremony invitation for close family, so it has an intimate feel.
• Clarity: This way, there’s no confusion between the guests who are invited to the ceremony and those who are invited to the reception only. 
• Logistics: In each group, provide details such as different venues or times.

Wording Your Reception-Only Invitations

The language used in your invitations sets the tone and provides clarity. Here are some examples to consider:

• “[Couple’s Names] request the pleasure of your company at a reception celebrating their marriage.”
• “Please join us for a reception in honor of the newlyweds, [Couple’s Names].”
• “We joyfully invite you to celebrate our union at a reception on [date] at [venue].”

These phrasings make it evident that the invitation pertains to the reception celebration.

Including Essential Details

Insure your reception-only invitations provide all the necessary information needed:

• Date and Time: Clearly state the date and time when the reception will take place.
• Venue: Provide the full address and any helpful directions.
• Dress Code: Inform your guests of what to wear so they can prepare accordingly and avoid any discomfort.
• RSVP Information: Details are provided about who to contact and by when.

Design Considerations

The design of your invitation is just as important as the wording:

• Consistency: All your wedding stationery should have a consistent design theme throughout.
• Quality Materials: This is where high-quality paper and printing techniques come into play to emulate the importance of the event.
• Personal Touches: Add elements that are personal to you or the theme of your wedding.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Some guests might feel slighted not being invited to the ceremony. To mitigate this:

• Transparency: Be honest about your desire for an intimate ceremony.
• Emphasis on Celebration: Highlight how much their presence at the reception means to you.
• Personal Notes: Consider adding a handwritten message expressing your sentiments

Here is a sample of an invitation:

Together with their families
[Couple’s Names]
joyfully invite you to a reception
celebrating their recent marriage
on [date]
at [venue]
[Address]
[Time]
Please RSVP by [date]

Incorporating Palafox Wharf and Other Resources

For more guidance and tips on how to plan a wedding and what is the appropriate invitation etiquette, consider exploring the following resources:

• Palafox Wharf Waterfront Venue Resources: Palafox Wharf Wedding Invitation Planning Tips and others listed below
• Other Resources: Minted –
  • Minted – www.minted.com
  • Paper Source – www.papersource.com
    • Elegant, high-quality invitations
  • Etsy – www.etsy.com
    • Many invitation designers
  • Greenvelope – www.greenvelope.com
    • Specializes in digital wedding invitations
  • Shutterfly – www.shutterfly.com
    • Offers invitation templates with recommended wording options
  • Basic Invite – www.basicinvite.com
    • Provides fully customizable wedding invitations
  • Bella Figura – www.bellafigura.com

A Must for Family Only Ceremony, then Everyone for Your Celebration

An important element for family only ceremony with everyone else at your celebration (reception) is to have a sufficient time in between the end of your ceremony and when guests arrive (one-half hour prior to your start time) for your celebration (reception). At least a three (3) hour period of time to make the transition and have vendors set up for your celebration.

Inviting guests to your reception while keeping the ceremony intimate is completely doable with the right wording and planning. Whether you opt for separate invitations or an extra ceremony details card, the key is to be clear, warm, and excited about celebrating with all your guests. With a little thoughtfulness, you’ll create an event where everyone feels included and welcomed!

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• The Postmark
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