How to Word Reception Invites When You’ve Eloped

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Many of the couples we’ve featured in the European Elopement Guide have chosen to throw a post-elopement party when they get home. While they want their wedding day to be a day that’s just for them (or them and just their immediate families), many still want to celebrate when they return home, just without the pressure of it being their wedding days.

Wedding invitations often have quite traditional wording, which may not be suitable for a post-elopement party. So how should you word post-elopement reception invites?

In this blog post, we’ll share some tips and suggestions on how to word your reception invites to make it clear that you’re inviting people to a reception/party and not a wedding.

Why Send Out Reception Invites?

So, “Why bother sending out reception invites after we’ve already eloped?” Well, there are a few reasons why it’s a great idea.

First, it’s a way to share your happy news with friends and family who weren’t able to witness your elopement. It’s also a chance to celebrate your marriage with them in a more “official” way.

Second, it allows you to express your gratitude for their love and support. A reception is a perfect opportunity to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them being part of your lives.

Finally, it’s a chance to create new memories and celebrate your love with the people who mean the most to you. A reception can be a fun and festive event that everyone will remember for years to come.

Crafting the Perfect Reception Invitation

When crafting the perfect reception invitation, the key is to find the right balance between letting them know it’s a party to celebrate your marriage, without it being a wedding.

And, let’s not forget—if you’re keeping your elopement on the down-low, sending out “save the date” cards is a great way to build a little mystery! It keeps your celebration a surprise while still making sure everyone knows when and where to be. You can drop hints like, “We’ve got something special planned…” without giving away too much.

So, what should be on your invitation (or your save the date)? Let’s break it down:

Photo by Gina Walkowiak

Key Elements to Include in Your Reception Invitation

Clarifying Your Marital Status

First things first—make sure your guests know you’re already hitched! You don’t want Aunt Susan showing up expecting a wedding ceremony, right? Keep it simple. You could say something like, “We tied the knot in secret, but we’d love to celebrate with you!” 

Or if you’re feeling fancy, something like, “We eloped in Italy and are now inviting you to toast with us.” Whatever fits your style, just be clear that the vows have already been exchanged.

Location, Date, and Time

Next up, the logistics. You’ll want to include where the reception is happening and the time. Include the full name and address of the location, the start time, and if relevant, the end time too.

RSVP Information

Don’t forget to ask guests to RSVP! And trust us, you’ll want to make this part as easy as possible. Whether you’re doing it the old-fashioned way with a card, via email, or using a digital tool RSVP tracker, make sure your guests know how and when to respond by. 

You can throw in something cheeky here, like, “Let us know if you’ll be joining us for the festivities, and we’ll save you a glass of bubbly!”

Setting the Dress Code

Finally, we need to talk dress code. Receptions come in all styles, from chic black-tie affairs to laid-back garden parties. Be sure to let your guests know what to wear.

Instead of saying “formal attire required,” you could say, “Break out your best cocktail dresses and dancing shoes!” Or, for something more relaxed, try, “Think summer chic—no tuxes necessary, but feel free to dress up if you’d like!”

Paper or Digital Invitations

Even in today’s digital world, it’s still exciting to receive something lovely through your letterbox. Depending on your style and your budget, you might be considering sending card invites. For those wanting to reduce waste, you may consider sending digital invitations instead.

➡️ Read our article about Sustainable Wedding Invitations

Choosing the Right Tone: Formal vs. Informal Invitations

Another thing you’ll need to figure out is the tone of your invitation. Are you going for something elegant and formal, or would you rather keep things casual and laid-back? Honestly, it all depends on the vibe you’re aiming for with your post-elopement celebration.

Let’s dive into some examples to help you decide:

Formal Reception Invitation Samples

  1. “With great joy, we announce our recent marriage and invite you to join us in celebrating our union. Please join us for an elegant evening of dinner and dancing on [date] at [location].”
  2. “It is with great happiness that we, [Names], invite you to a celebration of our marriage, which took place on [elopement date]. Join us for a beautiful reception at [location].”
  3. “We joyfully request the honor of your presence at a reception in celebration of our recent marriage on [date] at [location].”
  4. “Together with our families, we are thrilled to invite you to an intimate reception celebrating our marriage, which was held privately on [elopement date].”
  5. “Please join us as we celebrate the joy of our union. The marriage of [Names] took place on [elopement date], and we would be honored to have you celebrate with us on [reception date].”

Informal Reception Invitation Samples

  1. “Surprise—we eloped! We’d love for you to join us for drinks and dancing to celebrate on [date] at [location].”
  2. “We couldn’t wait to tie the knot, so we eloped! Now, let’s party! Join us on [date] to celebrate with food, drinks, and fun!”
  3. “We’re married! We did it our way, and now we want to celebrate with you. Join us on [date] for a casual reception at [location].”
  4. “Guess what? We eloped! But the fun’s not over yet—come celebrate with us at [location] on [date]!”
  5. “We said ‘I do’ in secret, but we still want to share the joy! Join us for a relaxed celebration on [date] at [location].”

See the difference? Formal invites feel a bit more traditional, while informal ones allow you to show off your personality and keep things light. It all depends on how you want to set the mood for your reception.

Personalizing Your Invitations

Now, let’s talk about adding those special little touches that make your invitations truly yours. After all, your elopement was an intimate, personal moment—so why not let that shine through in the invites too?

One way to make your invitations extra special is by sharing a bit of your elopement story. Did you say your vows at sunset in Santorini? Or maybe you exchanged rings in a quaint hidden chapel in the Alps? A brief note about your elopement location and experience adds a lovely personal touch. Something like, “We said ‘I do’ on the cliffs of Cinque Terre and can’t wait to share the next chapter with you!” makes your invites feel intimate and unique.

Including photos is another great way to personalize things. You could add a sweet shot from your elopement or even a picture of the two of you at the destination. This makes the invite not just informative but also a keepsake your guests will treasure. And if you’re feeling extra creative, you could pair your photos with a meaningful quote that reflects your journey. Maybe something like, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart,” or even a line from your vows.

What About A Wedding Website

Even though you’ll already be married, you could choose to have a wedding website to share with people on your reception invites. Perhaps you’ve got photos from your elopement that you want to share with people. Or maybe you also want a site that shares details for your reception and collects RSVPs so that you don’t need to keep track of things.

Our favourite wedding websites include:
The Knot
Zola

Should We Include a Wedding Registry?

This is one of the most highly discussed topics. While some people think that if you’re having a reception, people will expect you to also have a registry, others may think that since you’re already married, you’re skipping the registry.

What do we think? We recommend setting up a free registry and having something that you can send people to IF they ask, or having it as part of your wedding website.

➡️ Read our more detailed guide to Wedding Registry Etiquette for Elopements

Conclusion

At the end of the day, your reception invitation should be a reflection of you. Remember, this is about celebrating your love and sharing that joy with your favorite people. And with this guide in hand, you’re well on your way to creating reception invites that perfectly encapsulate your love story after eloping. 

So, here’s to the next chapter of your adventure—and a fabulous reception to celebrate your next adventure as a married couple with the people you love the most!

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