Western & American Reception Invitation Wording.
Frequently a separate day, a separate venue, and a wider guest list.
- Who invites
- Historically the bride’s parents; now just as often the couple themselves, or both families jointly.
- How it opens
- No invocation by convention — most Western invitations open with the hosts’ names
- Register
- Ranges from the very formal (spelled-out dates, "the honour of your presence") to entirely your own voice. Note the convention that "honour of your presence" signals a religious ceremony and "pleasure of your company" a civil one.
Sample wording
Written as common practice, not prescription. Take whichever is closest and change the parts that are not you — that is what these are for.
Reception immediately following the ceremony The Barn at Hensley Cocktails 5:30 pm · Dinner 7 pm Carriages at midnight