I am having a church wedding and would like to have a formal reception afterwards. We have many older guests coming to the wedding that will not like to drive at night. I would like to have the formal reception that they can attend and then leave if they need to drive home. But I also want a night reception with dinner and dancing, in the same reception venue.
I was thinking 4:30 wedding, 5:30 reception (20 minute drive to reception venue, and we're doing all pics pre-ceremony). Is there any way to divide the reception up to allow people to leave before dinner/dancing? And how should that be worded on the invitations? Everyone would be invited to dinner, but I wouldn't want them to RSVP for a meal but only be there for the first/no dinner part. Thanks!
You could have your dinner directly after your receiving line. Usher everyone in to their tables as they leave the line. Get them a drink, while you finish meeting with everyone (half hour). Then onto the meal. You can do everything else like toasting after the first course or after the meal.
You wouldn't want to write anything about this on the invitation or it would sound as if you are having an open house type reception.
formal reception/casual dinner
