Post-Wedding, Reception Only Announcements/ Invitations

Floral paper is probably the most popular choice when it comes to announcing a marriage.  Flowers are a big part of any wedding ceremony and using a favorite flower image on the announcement cards adds beauty and style.  The top wedding flowers are roses, hydrangeas, peonies, lilies, and daisies.  But that list will change according to theme.  Tropical ceremonies will typically feature hibiscus and plumeria, and country weddings may feature dried or succulent bouquets.

If it's floral paper you are after, there will be an abundant selection to choose from.

Typograhy and the chalkboard wedding theme is a lovely combination.  For casual country style events or rustic, outdoor weddings, a uniquely worded invitation carries the theme well.

This same style works well for the "we're married" announcement.  Adding cute hearts, swirling banners and strings of lights provides a whimsical flair.

The wedding reception can be held directly following a private ceremony, or later on the same day.  Or, it can be planned for many weeks after the ceremony.  The couple will need to word invitations  to this post-wedding event in a way that makes sense to the guests.  

The first thing to mention on such an invitation is the wedding itself.  It's the reason for the celebration, so tell guests about it.  At the very least, tell them the date of the marriage, and probably the destination as well if it was not a home-based marriage.

The wording will look something like this:

Angela Blue and Andy White...

were married in a private ceremony in

Key West, Florida... on October 23rd

A reception for the newlyweds will be held

on November 10, 201x at the

North Shore Ballroom, address, and RSVP.

Also mention if it's a surprise, if there will be a "no gifts" policy, or other information.

Here's where having some helping hands (preferably attached to crafty people!) will help greatly in keeping the cost down.  Family members and best friends, who missed out on the wedding ceremony, may jump at the chance to help with the reception party. 

Even if the couple specifies "no gifts" people close to the newlyweds will want to wish them well in some way, so let them help with the reception plans. 

One main part of the reception, or any big event, is the food.  Make sure there is plenty of it and that it tastes great.  Have it catered, meet at a restaurant, or ask family and friends to contribute to a buffet.

Have music of some kind, or the party will be dull.  Consider hiring a local band in your home town or area.  Get one of the teenagers you know to play some cd's, or ask a musically inclined family member to make that their contribution.

Use affordable cut flowers to decorate the home, hall, or any venue and buy them yourself.  Many grocery stores have floral departments and sell bouquets and centerpieces for much less than a professional florist shop.  Use some ribbon and decorate dollar store vases (see the video below), then add your preferred flowers.

Personally I love the idea of having a wedding reception later on instead of on the wedding day.  The newlyweds have had time to relax and get used to being married and the stress of planning the wedding ceremony is past, or maybe it was never there, since the ceremony was likely small.

It's like having two celebrations for the same occasion and the couple can thoroughly enjoy their time with guests.