Invite wording help...

PrettyInPearls23

We're having a small, private (family-only) ceremony on a Friday...and then a big, casual party/reception the following day. Is it weird to put the following wording since our wedding is only happening a day before the reception? I like the idea of it (being casual and fun) but to me, the wording makes it seem like we'll be married at the time the invites are going out and that we're celebrating it way after the fact.

 

Amanda and FF tied the knot!

Please join us in celebrating our recent marriage with BBQ, drinks and fun!

Saturday, September 15th at 6:00PM

ADDRESS HERE

 

 

I'm planning on having the RSVP cards mentioning something about "No need to bring anything -- come as you are, we'll provide the rest!" This way, guests know we don't want gifts (because it's uber tacky to mention anything...but does this cover it?) and so they know it's a causal affair.

 

Thoughts? Suggestions? WWYD? I feel like the invite is lacking something...

xojo1

For the invitation, I think the past tense sounds odd since you won't be married when they go out (and presumably, your guests would know that). I think saying it in future tense would be fine:

Amanda and FF are tying the knot!

Please join us in celebrating our marriage with BBQ, drinks and fun!

Saturday, September 15th at 6:00PM

ADDRESS HERE

 

I think the RSVP card idea will work. Normally I would say to not even mention it, but since it's an informal event I think it would be fine how you have worded it. Some people will probably still bring gifts, though.

 

PrettyInPearls23

xojo1:

For the invitation, I think the past tense sounds odd since you won't be married when they go out (and presumably, your guests would know that). I think saying it in future tense would be fine:

Amanda and FF are tying the knot!

Please join us in celebrating our marriage with BBQ, drinks and fun!

Saturday, September 15th at 6:00PM

ADDRESS HERE

 

I think the RSVP card idea will work. Normally I would say to not even mention it, but since it's an informal event I think it would be fine how you have worded it. Some people will probably still bring gifts, though.

 

FF's mom is VERY adamant that we make it clear we don't want gifts (not sure why, since she had a big ole even for her 2nd marriage...but whatever. I like the lady so I'm not making a big deal of it). I think it's tacky to mention anything about it, but I'm hoping that people will perceive it more as "Oh hey, I don't need to bring a dish to pass!" or "Looks like I don't need to bring my lawn chairs". In our circle of friends, it's the norm to never come empty handed to a party, and I think most of our guests will take the "No need to bring anything" comment more from that angle rather than wedding gifts.

 

If we're saying "We're tying the knot!" should be mention anything about having a private ceremony or something like that? I know it's obvious these aren't wedding invitations, but I just want to make it clear. On the other hand, I don't want people wondering why they didn't get invited to the ceremony. And if I do include it's a private ceremony, do I say when the ceremony is? This way people know it's not on the same day as our party, but will know it was the day prior and not like a month prior?

 

Gah...

Jules08

I agree with Jo; no past tense.

 

What about something like:

With our families present, Amanda and FF are tying the knot on ___!

Please join in celebrating our marriage with BBQ, drinks and fun!

Saturday, September 15th at 6:00PM

ADDRESS HERE

I think this still sounds pretty casual, thus your line that FMIL is requesting will still fit and not sound tacky

 

 

(I am still tripping up on the jump from first person to third back to first though...)

 

 

ETA: Maybe put your names at the top of the invite or on a vellum sheet on top of he invite, separate from the rest of the wording:

 

Amanda and FF

 

With our families present, we are tying the knot on ___! Please join in celebrating our marriage with BBQ, drinks and fun! Saturday, September 15th at 6:00PM ADDRESS HERE

 

 

xojo1

I don't think you need to mention the private ceremony. To me, the wording you have clearly says celebrating the marriage - i.e. a party, not a ceremony. For the most part, the people you are inviting know that it is both your and FF's second marriage and that you are having a small, intimate ceremony. Jules' wording would also work, though, if you want to mention the ceremony. I think you're over thinking it

NineTwentyOhEight

I agree with Jo, I think it's ok to not mention the ceremony and just say

"We're getting married!

Join us to celebrate on Saturday September 15th at 6pm

For Drinks, BBQ and Fun at LOCATION

Amanda and FF

Then on the RSVP you could always say "your presence is your present! come as you are" or something like that...so it's not ON the invite, but it's included in the info. Or if you're including directions? 

I actually don't think it's tacky to include something about gifts if you're telling people to NOT bring them. I think it's tacky to tell people what to buy you in the invite. But just my opinion. Those that really want to give you gifts are going to do it anyway. 

cherrys

Amanda
and
FF

are happy to announce their marriage
on Friday, September 14th, 2012

please join us for a casual celebration BBQ
on Saturday, September 15th, 2010
at 6:00 the evening

ADDRESS HERE

Your presence is the only gift we need.