Question about wording for cocktail hour/reception

Typically, you just mention the start time of the reception, not what time this or that starts. My invite just says "reception to follow" on the actual invite, and more detailed information is on my reception card. =)

My invitation said "reception to follow" like Jennifer H. Then on a separate reception card you would put the time and location. Then you can put "Cocktails at 5pm, dinner to be served at 6pm", of course you would write it in a more formal way.

I did a separate Reception card because its in a different location.

I put something like this:

Please join us for an Adult Reception

Following the Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

At four O’clock in the evening

Dinner

At five O’clock in the evening

[inserted a decorative design here]

Copeechan Fish and Game Club

5649 Brook Street

Schnecksville, PA 18078

Previous comment wouldn't post correctly... - doh! Don't use the greater/less than symbols.... Let's try this again:

I'd use something like this:

Adult cocktail and dinner reception to be held at (location) beginning at 5pm.

Leaving off the time allows people to show up on time. If you put the time for dinner they won't show until 6.

And what if there is an issue with the ovens and dinner is postponed until 6:30? Let the night unfold for your guests instead of giving them the itinerary and you'll find more people there when the celebration starts.

(And I like Honey B's layout and wording for this... )

Here's some other samples:

http://www.invitationconsultants.com/samplewording.aspx?p_subcategory=111

Yep!

We're just using the time that the doors open at our reception venue as the "reception time". We have a cocktail hour....but it might run an hour and 15 minutes?

I wouldn't list the start time for dinner. Things can run a few minutes behind, depending on the caterer, the kitchen, how quickly your guests shuffle to their seats, etc. But that's just me!

Thanks for this post. I hadn't tought of a lot of the little details and time line--I am still working on invites and reception cards. Looks like they need a little tweaking thanks to you guys. :-)