Small Celebration Invitation....

If I received an invitation to a "legal marriage party" or "legal union party" I would honestly be confused. Like, what exactly am I being invited to?

Small weddings and small celebrations are completely fine, normal things. Just invite everyone to celebrate your marriage. They don't need to know in advance that it's "small" or "legal." Invite you you want, celebrate with them, it's all good!

View Quoted Comment I understand that, but we are still having a ceremony and reception next year. Wouldn’t it confuse people more if they get two invitations for two different dates? Granted, this is only for 30 people (immediate family and the bridal party). But I just feel like there’s gotta be a way to word it to have a distinction.

Can’t you just call it a reception? Or a celebration of marriage? Putting the word legal in there in any capacity seems odd.

View Quoted Comment Basically I’m just worried about people being like...”Why are they doing this twice?” Because we’re having our big wedding and reception next year.

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If anything, I think the distinction/different wording should be on the second invitation, not the first.

View Quoted Comment I agree with PP that the vow renewal next year is the invitation that should have different wording. You’re getting married this year, so the event that you’re inviting the 30 guests to is your reception. The ceremony and reception next year will be a vow renewal. Since this is such an intimate guest list, I would assume that these people are close to you or your FS and will reach out if they are confused.

I would phrase the first one as your “wedding” and the second event should either be called “vow renewal” or “celebration or marriage”

I would probably say “celebrate their marriage” or something to that effect. I don’t think your immediate family and friends will be confused when they receive a separate invitation at a later date for the wedding. I definitely think you should use language you’re comfortable with but adding “legal” makes it more confusing to me. Depending on the formality of the event you’re planning maybe you could skip formal invitations?