Need Right Wording.

Just call it a "celebration of the marriage of ..." inviting "friends and family" and "appetisers and drinks"

Here is a website that might help....
http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Post_Wedding_Receptio...

I am not sure but what about something a long the lines of:

Please help us celebrate the union of Sally and Joe at an open house (or gathering of friends and family) on this date, from state time to time, at this location.

Open house/Gathering indicates there is no formal dinner being served., I add this only because you did not include the fact there would be a dinner. Generally people do not automatically presume alcohol will be served at gatherings or at open houses anymore.

Something like:

Please come and enjoy dinner and conversation with the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. So and so, on (date and time) at (place).

Given by (your name)
Please R.S.V.P. by (date) to (phone number)

Hope this helps.

That's so nice of you to help your friend celebrate her marriage! Here's a website that has some sample wording for all kinds of invitations - http://www.invitationconsultants.com/sw-main.aspx - hope it helps. Good Luck!

"Please join us in celebrating the union of (John and Susie Smith) that took place in a private ceremony on Oct.3, 2008."
or
"John and Susie Smith wish to invite you to a celebration of their union that took place in a private ceremony on Oct 3,2008."
Good Luck and congrats to the couple!

Imho, and etiquette books, putting places you are registered is a no-no. Gifts are just that, gifts. People get to choose what and where they buy it. Now if someone asks you, by all means let them know, but it's like fishing for gifts..tacky. But, you are asking about an "announcement" type card. Many preprinted and make your owns abound. Similar to a birth announcement of an event that already occured, share the joy etc.

I would think something along the lines of an open house to celebrate the union of the two. Open house would suggest that it is not a reception that includes entertainment but food and beverages are available even the wording of a tea would be approprite. Also, you go with a brunch if it is early in the day to suggest the same but open house seems the most appropriate. It really depends on how formal this would be and from the sounds of it, the event would be casual but not a picnic. I would stay away from reception or party. Most of all, I don't thinkthe wording is not as improtant as the gesture which is very nice of you. Good luck to all.

maybe something like- mr and mrs sonso, would like to celbrate their recent union with family and friends with a light evening tea. Dinner will be served.

Then leave your phone number so people who have questions can call you for clarification ( don't say that though) and NO WAY no how do you EVER put where the couple is registered. It is tacky, rude and presumptious

E....Are you going to buy invitations or make them? You could visit a place that sells invitations and go through their books. They could assist you in the wording. It isn't necessary to say there will not be alcohol or entertainment. It could read like.. You are invited to the celebration of the marriage of so and so. It sounds like fun!! Have a good time!!

Hello E.. I am simple and blunt. For example, for our baby's first birthday I listed things on the invitation that ppl could buy as presents and included NO TOYS; since she is the youngest of 4 (3 of which are girls) I already have a house full of toys.

On Saturday, October 25, 2008 Mr & Mrs Smith would appreciate your attendance at their wedding reception. Please RSVP to ###-###-#### since the couple would like you to join them for a family style dinner. The newly wed couple are registered at Target, Walmart, & Sears.

Hope that helps, best of luck and Congrats to the newly weds

Hi E.,

Me and my husband had a private ceremony in Vegas and then had a reception back home for friends and family. So I know what you mean about the proper way to word this. You could try this:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married in a private ceremony on Sept. 15th and would like to invite you to a repection to share in their joy. Please attend a dinner on (date and time).

I don't think you need to put in the invitation that there will be no alcohol or entertainment. They will figure that out once they get there. Besides you don't want people to decide not to come just because there is no booze. You would be surprised how many people will do that!

Good luck! and God bless the happy couple!

Mr and Mrs Smith invite you to celebrate their union at ABC, Date Time." or "Mr and Mrs Smith were married in a private ceremony on Date. They invite you to share in the joy of their union." Then list dates, times, etc. Are there going to be a lot of people invited? If so, I would include, somewhere on the invitation, that it is to be dinner only. Personally, I like to know what is going to happen or be served when I attend a reception. People need to be able to plan. If you want, you could even put the hours on the invitation. When you list the time just put "6:00-8:00" People will get the hint. We did that for our reception cause I wanted people to know that we had to be out at certain time. Nobody thought it was tacky. If they have decided to register, have them get the things that you stick in the invitation, rather than putting it on the invitation itself. Check out theknot.com for some more idea.

Hi E.,
I think the wording the mama's below me gave you is great! I just wanted to second (or third, I guess) the sentiment about gifts...according to "the rules", the only time it's appropriate to mention gifts/registry is w/ a shower invitation. Even mentioning "no gifts, please" is technically a no-no. Gifts are well, gifts. Not a requirement and fully under the desires/guidelines of the giver.

What a great friend you are to help her throw this party! Good luck!

Try something like this-

John and Jane Doe would like to invite you to attend a dinner to celebrate their union as man and wife. As this is Jane's second union the only gift requested is your presence.
Name of place. Date and time.

Or you could say-

Jane Smith (your name) is holding a dinner to honor the vows of Jane and John Doe. Your presence is requested on (date and time) at (location).

I think if you use the wording of receiption people will expect to be entertained. If you just say dinner then they know there will be food only. You could have some CD's playing in the back ground even if no formal DJ.

I think it's going to depend on the time of day and the size of people you wish to invite. Is it a sit-down dinner, or just appetisers? If it's a casual gathering, you might want to include some wording that says that as well. I would just write it out exactly the way it's going to be;

"Please join us for dinner and refreshments to cellebrate the union of Jane and John." or

"You are cordially invited to cellebrate the uniting of Jane and John with a luncheon at such and such place" - do people still say 'luncheon'?

Either way, just write down exactly what your function is going to be. ... and please leave out if they're registered anywhere. The other poster is right, it's tacky.

You are invited to (or please join us for) a Newlywed Reception for...
Dinner (or appetizers or buffet or whatever) and nonalcoholic beverages will be served.

Have fun hostessing!!