[dlmfirst]

I am having a private family only ceremony and then an hour later we will have a very informal party for family and close friends(around noon or 1:00 pm) similar to a backyard barbecue or a light luncheon (about 50 to 60 people). It will be held at my fiance's brothers house. My fiance's family will be making most of the food. My question is do I have to have invitations made? If I do, what kind? Can I write them by hand? Can I get away with just using the telephone? I really wanted to elope but I am compromising and trying to have the family only ceremony (the ceremony location parking is very small as well) and my fiance's family really wants to do this. If I have to do invitations, do I have to send them to his family as well and with a ceremony insert invitation? This is my second wedding and I want to make as little a fuss as possible and we are being married in a short period of time (6 weeks)! Please help! Also is it bad form to have a private family ceremony and then a party with other people an hour later?

[the_admin]

This is very informal so you can simply call or email. Invitations aren't necessary. But, if you wanted to send them they can be hand written in this case. You can include ceremony and reception information for those you're inviting to both and just reception information to the guests you'll be inviting only to the reception. You just won't invite anyone to the wedding and not the reception.

[dlmfirst]

Thank you for your reply. If I do handwritten invitations, is it necessary to send them to family as well? I have my reasons for the private family ceremony such as: I don't like being the center of attention and there is not enough room at the ceremony site for more than a certain amount of people. Is is bad etiquette to have the private family ceremony and then a party for everyone an hour later?

[the_admin]

Quote

You can include ceremony and reception information for those you're inviting to both and just reception information to the guests you'll be inviting only to the reception. You just won't invite anyone to the wedding and not the reception.

You can have a private ceremony and a larger reception, yes. This is informal so you can send invitations if you want, or not.

[dlmfirst]

Thank you again for your fast reply. If I do go with sending out invitations how would I word the reception invitation since we will already be married at the party (although, just for an hour)! Two more questions! What do you think of fill in the blank invitations? What do you think of email invitations such as Evite?

[the_admin]

I think you'll find everything you'll need in the pages of our website. Please take a few moments to search the forum, read through our pages and if you still have more questions you can post them as new in the appropriate category.

But again, your wedding is very informal so you can do any sort of invitation you like, even email.