I am trying to figure out how to word my invites to tell guests that there will be hors d'oeuvres served at 4:30 with a buffet dinner at 6:00 and dance around 8. I am not planning on putting the time of the dance, but I wasn't sure how to word it so everyone knew the "game plan". We are also sending out separate invites to some guests only invited to the dinner/reception (held at different location than ceremony). Do I put this information on the invites themselves or do I include a separate "reception" card for this information.
We don't usually include an itinerary in our invitations. And, we don't write it on the invitations either. However, I suppose if you feel you must, you could include this information as an enclosure. But, it just seems a bit odd.
All wedding guests are invited to the entire reception. There are not supposed to be two separate parties. No one should be invited to part but not all of the reception. It is insulting, so please alter your plans to include all in the entire event.
I think I may not have completely explained what I was planning. We are planning on inviting everyone to the entire reception...there is limited seating at the ceremony location, so we are sending separate invites for those who are only invited to the reception, but I wanted to make sure that they knew that it also included the hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and dance. I am just not sure how to word that. Also the ceremony is at 2:00 so there is a gap between that time and the time the hors d'oeuvres begin so I wanted to make sure that the guests were aware that the reception is not immediately following the ceremony. I'm still new to the etiquette of how to word things and who should be invited where. Thanks again for your help!
That is good news that everyone is invited to the entire reception. That is one hurdle down. But, the other is the time in between your events. There is a big gap here for those invited to the wedding. That is a problem. We don't want our guests to be uncomfortable. So, you may want to plan something for them while they wait.
There really is no reason to inform your guests of the sequence of events. Your plans are fairly typical and they will probably know what to expect because of the time you have scheduled your reception. But, if you feel that you must inform them, you could include a simple enclosure with the list of events just as you have listed them here. Another option is to list this on a wedding website. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now
Formal dinner reception w/hors d'oeuvres
