We are having a public wedding but a private "by invitation only" dinner reception. How do we word this so that everyone understands that only those invited can come to the reception?
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Mar 15, 2008, 8:51 PM)
There is no polite way to invite guests to a wedding and then to inform them that they will not be invited to the reception. All wedding guests are also invited to the reception. If not, it is as if you are telling guests that they are only good enough to watch you marry and give you a gift, but not good enough to go to your party to celebrate the event.
Having said that, the only time a public wedding and private reception is appropriate is when the wedding is a open church wedding with a small, private, family reception afterwards. There usually is not a problem with those in the church because the family leaves and has their private dinner later.
It is also proper to have some sort of small gathering for all of those at the church. It could just be a sheet cake and punch.
Wording Invitations to a Private Reception
