Courthouse wedding invites, need Advice!

I don't know what you mean by "it is not our formal wedding". A courthouse wedding is not any less valid than a big ceremony or a big reception. I would word it the same as a regular invitation, but maybe include that you plan to have a vow renewal with a larger ceremony 2 years from now.

"please join _ & _ in celebrating their courthouse union by joining us for an intimate get-together and dinner with our closest family and friends." and then if you have a date in mind for the larger celebration, i think it would be cute to put a "save the date" for "the big party!" inside as well, that way they know your future plans.

View Quoted Comment I didnt mean to say its less valid but what I meant was that it will not be as big of a ceremony as the church wedding we will be having in 2 years. Thank you for your advice !

Edecker definitely has a point We are doing the same thing as you, Kim. The private/courthouse ceremony is for you, the larger party is for everyone else. For wording, the renewal idea from edecker is a great one if you are planning for everyone to already know at the time you send our your big party invites down the road for the ceremony in two years. For this small, intimate dinner after your courthouse vows, you could always send an invitation to everyone to join you to celebrate the beginning steps along this journey towards your marriage celebration. If you are worried about the responses of your family, you could word this as a step toward joining your family together in the adoption process before the big day down the way.

It’s fine if you’re doing this, but you won’t be getting married in the church in two years because you can’t get married twice unless you get divorced in between. You’ll be having a vow renewal. I would word it like edecker suggested.

We are having a small ceremony and then what I keep calling a "family dinner" because I do not want a "reception". I put on our invitations "a celebration dinner". Have fun with it. And you don't have to worry about making it clear that there will be another wedding in 2 yrs. If these are "close family", you can just tell them that personally.