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Just Said Yes September 2020

Private Ceremony/big Reception Invitations

Sarah, on November 20, 2019 at 12:52 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7

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My fiancé and I are getting married in a small (18 people) private ceremony with our parents and siblings only. We are getting married in Key West, which would be a destination wedding. A month later we are having a “reception” in our hometown with all of our extended family and friends (about 150-200 guests).

My plan was to send out save the dates 8 months in advance and then invitations 3 months before. I’m just concerned about the wording. Possibly “save the date for our celebration of marriage”, with the link to our wedding website explaining our private ceremony wedding and then the celebration a month later with all our family and friends.
Is there a better way to word it? Would you send save the dates at all or just stick to invitations maybe 6 months in advance? Can I used the wording wedding reception on the invites/save the dates, or should I avoid “wedding”? I want it to be clear we aren’t getting married, although the reception will be very formal and traditional, as I am wearing my wedding dress.

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7 Comments

Latest activity by Beth, on November 20, 2019 at 3:08 PM

Expert October 2021
Vannesa · on November 20, 2019 at 1:02 PM
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I think it's worded perfectly. Since they won't be attending the wedding and it will be a month later. I would possibly just stick to invitations though due to the fact that it's a party. Possibly put down that you guys even got married a month prior and would love it if they came to celebrate with you guys.
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VIP September 2020
Neeva · on November 20, 2019 at 1:05 PM
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I think on the save the date you should just write your names, save the date, the date and the city.
For invitations and the website, I would write join us for our wedding celebration or something along those lines. Reception begins at __ time at __ location.
I don't think you need to write information about your ceremony at all, but make it clear it's a reception and the start time, people will figure out the rest.
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Lady · on November 20, 2019 at 1:33 PM
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I wouldn't send save the dates for a party. Just send invites 8-10 weeks in advance.
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Master July 2018
Mcskipper · on November 20, 2019 at 1:59 PM
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I think the wording sounds great. I think I *would* go out of my way to say celebration of marriage on the save the date to level everyone’s expectations, so they know what event they’re saving the date for
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VIP August 2021
Jennifer · on November 20, 2019 at 2:25 PM
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I think that it is worded perfectly!
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Expert September 2020
Marcia · on November 20, 2019 at 2:38 PM
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We are doing something similar. I sent save the dates last week for our “I Do BBQ”. We are having a ceremony that day but it’s not really our wedding.
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Dedicated October 2020
Beth · on November 20, 2019 at 3:08 PM
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We are also doing a private ceremony (8), followed by a large reception(300). We are doing save the dates and what not. For the wording I used “celebration of the marriage of”. Further explanation is on our website. So far it’s worked well! Sending save the dates was important to us because we want to celebrate with our friends and family!
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