Do you know you can have a small, intimate ceremony and still host a large reception to celebrate with all your friends?

The etiquette for sending reception-only invitations varies slightly from traditional wedding invitations. With the right wording and invites, your guests will be just as excited about their reception-only invite as those also invited to the ceremony.

Learn eight tips for wording and sending reception-only invitations so all your guests feel included on your big day.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone who goes to your ceremony should also receive a reception invitation, but not everyone who comes to the reception needs to receive an invite to the ceremony
• Let your guests know it’s a reception-only invitation
• Invest in your reception-only invitations so they are just as special as your ceremony invitations

Is It Okay to Invite Guests to the Reception Only?

Inviting guests to only the reception is perfectly acceptable and becoming more popular. There are many reasons you might only have a smaller group at the ceremony.

The ceremony location might have limited space, or you want an intimate ceremony. So, you choose only to invite your close family and a few friends. Some couples skip the ceremony altogether and choose elopement.

Then, you invite a larger group of friends to your reception either the same day or several days later to celebrate your wedding with those you care about.

Another reason you might send reception-only invitations is because of religious traditions. For example, if you’re Mormon, you’ll have a sealing rather than a wedding ceremony. Only temple members can attend this small, intimate ceremony.

Then, you join all your friends and family for a reception to celebrate your marriage.

How Do You Invite People to the Reception Only?

Use these 8 tips to create stunning and polite reception-only invitations.

Tip 1: Create Two Separate Guest Lists

When you’re planning your wedding, you’ll write two separate wedding guest lists. One is the ceremony and reception list, and the second is the reception-only list. This will help you keep your RSVPs and thank-you notes organized.

Keep your ceremony number small. If you’re restricting who is coming to the ceremony, then you should follow consistent guidelines to avoid hurt feelings or confusion among guests. Then, stick with your decisions – if you invite one friend to the ceremony, your mutual friends will likely ask to be invited as well.

Tip 2: Have the Ceremony Earlier

For an easy flow during the day, have the ceremony earlier. That way, you can celebrate with your close family and friends before the reception. You might have a small cocktail party or intimate reception at the ceremony location.

Later in the day, or on a different day, everyone moves to the reception venue to celebrate with the larger group. You can even have the reception a different week or month, especially if your ceremony was an elopement or destination wedding.

Make sure you list the times on the ceremony and reception invites so those who attend the ceremony understand there will be a gap between the ceremony and reception. You also want to list only the reception start time on the reception-only invites.

Tip 3: Send Formal Invitations

Full, traditional wedding invitation suites aren’t just for wedding ceremonies. Sending suites for reception-only invites lets guests feel just as important and included.

Send your reception-only invitations two to three months before the reception so your guests have enough time to plan for the wedding.

Tip 4: Send Save-the-Date Cards

Save-the-date cards are also for reception-only invitations. They let guests know when the reception is ahead of time so guests can make any travel arrangements or take time off from work.

Send save-the-date cards at least 10 months before the reception.

Tip 5: Say It’s a Reception-Only Invitation

Guests might not realize an invitation doesn’t include the ceremony if you just skip ceremony-specific wording. Instead, you’ll want to spell out what you’re inviting the guest to.

Be clear in the invitation that it’s only for the reception to avoid confusion on your wedding day. Let your guests know you had a small ceremony. That way, they understand why they weren’t invited to the ceremony.

Then highlight the reception and how you look forward to celebrating with your friends who couldn’t be at the ceremony.

Be sure to note on the save the dates that you're inviting the guests to the reception, not the ceremony and reception.

Tip 6: Ask for an RSVP

You’ll want RSVPs for your reception because you’ll need an accurate headcount for the caterers and to make your seating chart.

Ask for an RSVP no later than three weeks before the reception.

Remember to record your RSVPs from your guest lists separately so you don’t confuse your ceremony and reception headcount.

Tip 7: Don’t Give Reception-Only Guests Ceremony Information

Avoid posting ceremony information on your wedding website or too much detail on the invitation. This can confuse guests or cause awkward situations where reception-only guests come to the ceremony.

While you should avoid giving an exact address and time, feel free to share the date and general location of the ceremony.

Tip 8: Have an Honest Response to Questions

Guests may have questions about why you only invited them to the reception. Be prepared for these questions so your guests clearly understand why you made your choice. If you had budget or space constraints, be honest and remind them that you could only invite close family.

Then be clear about how you wanted them to be part of the day, which is why you are having a reception. If you’re excited about the reception, they will be, too!

Reception-Only Invitation Wording Examples

Use these examples as inspiration for your reception-only invitation wording.

“Jane Doe and John Smith will be married in a small ceremony on September ninth two-thousand twenty-three. Please join us to celebrate at our wedding reception Saturday, September tenth two-thousand twenty-three, at seven o’clock.”

“Jane Doe and John Smith request the honor of your presence at a wedding reception celebrating their wedding. The reception is on September ninth two-thousand and twenty-three at seven o’clock.”

“We’re married! Please join us for cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate the marriage on Saturday, September ninth two-thousand twenty-three, at seven o’clock.”

Get Your Guests Excited with Reception-Only Invitations

Shine Wedding Invitations can customize your wedding invitations for your reception-only guest list. Invite your friends and extended family with luxury wedding invitation suites, so your guests will know how important their presence is at your reception.

Order a free sample to find the perfect reception-only luxury invitations for your big day.

Photo Credit
Reception Imagery: Kailee Dimeglio Photography - William Harley Photography - Madison Compton Photography - Eager Hearts Photography