How to word a wedding invitation? Specifically about the attire...?

Question

We are having a destination wedding, followed by a clambake at home for all our friends and family. This will be a very casual event with games, etc, and we want our guests to wear something they will feel comfortable running around in. I don't care if someone doesn't choose to play horseshoes or baseball, but I'd hate to think they wish they could, if only they were dressed for it...we can't figure out how to convey this on the invitation. Does "casual picnic attire, please" do the trick, or what else can I say? We want people to come in shorts, sandals, sneakers, etc...if we just put casual attire, people will probably wear khakis and golf shirts, etc--overdressed for our event...Thanks for any ideas! We don't want to get too wordy, either, if we can help it.

I wasn't very clear, now that I read my ? again...our reception is a clambake to be held 3 months after the destination wedding in our local area at a picnic grove--not home like our backyard...sorry about that!

We are doing separate invites--I'm only worried about the clambake reception for everyone...the other one is ok already...

Answer 1

Maybe if you just leave it at casual picnic attire and then just by word of mouth get it across to your guests that you're gonna have all these games and stuff.

Answer 2

I think you have to do 2 seperate invites. After all, you aren't really inviting all those people to the wedding are you?

I think it should be an announcement of your wedding--using a very casual beach type announcement. I found lots at Invitations by Dawn and Anns Wedding.

http://www.invitationsbydawn.com
http://www.annswedding.com
http://www.now-and-forever.com

Then you can have with the "reception card" come help us celebrate with a clambake. Casual picnic attire. and whatever date that will be.

That way it can be mailed after the wedding but before the clambake.

If you mail them an invite to the wedding, a lot of people will just read It's in St Croix or whatever and rsvp no--without even reading that the reception is a clambake much later on.

I definitely think mentioning Recreational fun or activities and games--clarifies it as a casual event. I like both "come prepared to play" or "casual picnic attire" a lot. I agree iwth you that "casual attire" is a lil more dressy like khakis and not what I'd play baseball in. You might find it easier to mail the announcements of the wedding and instead of ordering a reception card to make your own...invites that look very clambake. You are usually limited to around 4 lines on a reception card. But you can make a small clambake invite which you send with the annoucement which can explain Come celebrate our marriage, Games and Festivities, clambake, casual picnic attire, date and times--without being too wordy but at least have more than 4 lines.

http://www.annsbridalbargains.com/We_ViewEns.cfm?sItemCode=WedEns0782&sCatalogCode=WedEnsVA&iStartRow=9&lCriteria=934&strcontinue=yes&strsearch=yes&format=WedEnsVAa
http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/WE_SearchResults.cfm?prev=1&TempPrev=0&blnPreviewRequestSubmitted=0&recordsperpage=32&CompletedOrder=0&sBasketID=0&lCriteria=3269&alogo=1&menu=none&morethanonepage=YES&HostDomain=0&FirstTimeThrough=1&option=WE_SearchResults.cfm&format=WedEnsDDa&CFID=22428866&CFTOKEN=57570451

Right now both sites have a lot of fall but keep checking b/c it updates frequently.

You could also then pick a different looking invite for the more casual clam bake than for the annoucement. That will make them stand out more.

Answer 3

The best thing to do is make sure the people who will get questions know exactly what you mean. Your parents, grandparents, and other close family members and friends should have this information so they can tell people who ask.

Also, your invitations should be very casual - don't use anything fancy or formal or that will convey a more formal atmosphere. Try to make the invites fun, colorful and very casual. Don't use formal wording or scripty fonts.

In the lower right corner you can add the words "Casual Attire, Please"

On your invitations to the clambake, stress the clambake / party more than you do the wedding. Say something like, "John and Jane got married (hitched, whatever) in the tropics and now we're throwing a big party to celebrate." Word the invitation the way you would a regular invitation.

Answer 4

I am confused since you said destination wedding followed by clambake at home. I guess that the clambake is at a later date? Well if you use the word clambake that should do it for most people. If your invitations are casual, then you can put the above note about picnic attire, but if they are traditional engraved I am not sure it would work as well. Sounds like fun though

Answer 5

The best you can do is send out good-quality invitations and try to word the invitation so it comes across as somewhat semi-formal: Please join us for a reception to honor the new Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith Saturday, the twenty-first of March two thousand nine two o'clock in the afternoon Smith Family Home 123 Main Street Freehold, New Jersey But the bottom line is that you really can't dictate your guests' attire. For a backyard party (which there's absolutely nothing wrong with), people may interpret this as a more casual party. Use the stationery and the wording as a clue that it'll be more than a casual barbecue. And use word of mouth (tell your parents, siblings and close friends) to casually inform loved ones that you're going for a business-casual type of atmosphere, if people ask what they should wear. But you can't make demands as to what they should wear. If someone shows up in jeans, suck it up and deal with it.

Answer 6

You might put dress casual for the clambake and fun and game reception to be held at our home after the wedding.

Answer 7

There is a footnote at the bottom of my invitation that says "The dress is semi-formal and the occasion will be hot. Please consider this when dressing." because my wedding will be in the middle of July in Oklahoma. You can always do this at the bottom of your invites, but word it to fit your circumstances. I know that if you go through http://www.exclusivelyweddings.com they will edit them form ettiqute if you choose that option. How about put something along the lines of "Dress is casual. Please come prepared for lawn games." I know that doesn't sound quite right either, but maybe you could reword it to sound how you like it. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 8

Casual picnic attire sounds great and is to the point. Have fun and good luck. God Bless your marriage.

Answer 9

If you make it clear on the invite what sort of activities will be going on, as well as saying 'casual wear' it should help the guests decide exactly what sort of clothes to wear.

Answer 10

Yes, "casual picnic attire" covers it.