Wedding Reception Only - Cocktail and hor's devours - invitation wording help!

So are you inviting people to both ceremony and reception or just the reception? I think it sounds like reception only. I would try something like this:

Together with our families,

we invite you to celebrate the marriage of

____

to (or and)

____

at a cocktail reception on

September fifth, twenty fifteen

at ___O'clock in the afternoon (or evening)

Then maybe you can add on your website or word of mouth that you are doing your ceremony privately. Just an idea Let's see what others come up with!

Say something about inviting them to "celebrate your marriage" as opposed to wedding. Maybe put on the invite that you'd like them to come "celebrate our marriage with drinks, dancing, and hors d'oeuvres"

Amanda-Kiora's sounds way better. Do that.

Are your guests being invited to both events? If so, I would use the standard invitation wording for the ceremony information and use a separate card for the reception worded something like this:

Cocktail Reception

Place

Date

Depending on space you could probably put this at the bottom of the main invitation instead of using a separate card.

Jane Smith and John Jones

Invite you to a celebration of their marriage

Date, time

Venue

Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing

No, we're getting married the day before, just the two of us and our daughters. A city hall thing. Sorry I should have said "reception only."

The invitation is just for the reception only. From what I've read regarding "wedding etiquette," I should note on the invitation that this is a cocktails and hor's devours party - to let people know that a full dinner will not be served. Just not sure where to stick that on the invitation.....

Thanks Ladies!!! You've been a big help!