Wedding Invitation Etiquette

"Dessert reception" is what you should call it.

Try http://www.verseit.com for alot of different verse ideas, they are the best.
References :

By kateqd30 on Jan 8, 2007

make the invitation on the more casual side since your wedding is casual. I went to a wedding a couple of years ago and the invites said that dessert will be served at the reception and the reception started later so people could have dinner. It was perfect.
The parents could be mentioned as they normally are in the invite but maybe put something fun like

mr and mrs smith
and mr and mrs brown
invite you to the joining of their children
angie smith
and
tyson brown
proud parents of little zac brown

I don't know just do something fun then it will be fine to come across more casual.
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By kasperette on Jan 8, 2007

Just say something like…..Mr and Mrs (his parents) and mr and mrs (your parents) would like you to to join us in celebrating, your fiance's name and your name wedding ceremony, with cake and punch to follow.

just keep it simple.
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By photogrl262000 on Jan 8, 2007

I understand, we had the same type of reception. We had an open invitation to all our friends, and they knew. However, since you are doing invitations, I would put Informal reception, or dessert reception only, on the invitations. Perhaps there is a web site that has the etiquette for this?
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By sandrarosette on Jan 8, 2007

i agree with the "dessert reception" wording. just put at the end of the invitation "dessert reception to follow". not sure on how to squeeze in your son. have you looked at theknot.com? they've got a lot of tips on etiquette with wording the invitations.

congrats and good luck!
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By LoriBeth on Jan 8, 2007

try this
Tom Smith
along with his grandparents
Mr and Mrs Brown and
Mr and Mrs Smith
invite you to the wedding of his parents
Jane Brown
to
Bob Smith
Two o'clock int the Afternoon
on the tenth of June two thousand and seven
at Aunt Bessie's Home
123 Ocean Way

Afternoon Cake Social immediately following ceremony
References :

By emmandal on Jan 8, 2007

I wouldn't even call it a reception. Just ask them to join you after for cake and punch. And just word it very simple
"please join us for cake and punch at _______"

Be-careful with the dessert wording- that sounds like there is going to be lots of desserts and maybe booze. That's implying something a little fancier then what you are having.
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By bubbles on Jan 8, 2007

Miss Jane Doe and Mister Roger Smith along with their parents invite to witness their union in marriage.

You could write everything you normally would on the invite, then at the end write, "small dessert reception to follow". That way they know desserts only. I'd have the wedding in the early afternoon so dinner is not expected. Good luck and have fun!
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By Melissa R on Jan 8, 2007

For the meal part – first make sure the time is not over a meal time (1 pm wedding, 2 pm reception – 7pm wedding, 8 pm reception, etc) and then on the invitation put "Cake & Punch Reception To Follow" – this lets guests know that there won't be a meal, and it still sounds elegant.

For the parents & son:

Mr David Smith requests the honor of your presence
At the marriage of his mother
Miss Jane Jones
Daugher of Henry & Amy Jones
To his father
Mr Kevin Smith
Son of Calvin & Vanessa Smith

or

Mr David Smith requests the honor of your presence
At the marriage of his parents
Miss Jane Jones
Daugher of Henry & Amy Jones
&
Mr Kevin Smith
Son of Calvin & Vanessa Smith
References :
wedding planner
http://budgetdreamweddings.com

By Chrys on Jan 8, 2007

In your case, you don't mention your son or your parents on the invitations. The only names that belong on there are the names of the bride, groom, and host(s)– and in this case you're hosting your own wedding, not your parents.

It would be more appropriate to honor your son and parents in some other way, like in your ceremony program.

Here is your appropriate wording:

The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
bride's full name
and
groom's full name
Saturday, the fifth of May
at two o'clock in the afternoon

Home of Mr. and Mrs. Bridesaunt&uncle
1345 Beachside Avenue
Rehobeth, Delaware

Cake and punch reception to follow (in lower left hand corner)
Sandy seashore attire (in lower right hand corner)
References :
Miss Manners' Guide to Weddings (book)

By Etiquette Gal on Jan 9, 2007

86 the nuts, and replace them with dinner mints from the dollar store. Peanuts to me say party. To let your guests know that there will not be dinner just put on the invitation "light collation". Why no dancing, it doesn't cost to turn on the CD player and pop in five Cd's.
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By Special K on Jan 9, 2007

Well, since you are paying for your own reception, you wouldn't really put anyones name on the invitation (they aren't hosting it).
References :
Go to knot.com or brides.com These sites have helped me a lot.

By Inquisitive on Jan 9, 2007