I am having a civil cermony and then a reception afterward. How do i word my invites?

Question

The wedding will be October 4,2008

Answer 1

                                 Miss Patricia B

              requests the pleasure of the company of

(in handwriting)-->   Mr and Mrs Guests Names

                                at her wedding to

                                Mr Grooms Name

  on Saturday September twenty-first two thousand and eight

                                    at four o'clock

                                  at Ceremony Venue

Reception at Second Venue

at six o'clock

You could put "Miss Patricia B and Mr Grooms Name" in the first line, although it's not strictly correct to present yourselves as co-hosts when you aren't married yet. Nearly all bridal couples compromise on that rule of good form.

You could also put "request the pleasure of your company" and then rely on the names on the inner envelope to make it clear who the invitation is for, although that's not quite so respectful to your guests -- and it won't work if you don't have inner envelopes.

If the reception is immediately after the ceremony at the same venue, you can leave the last two lines off. You don't say "the honour of your presence" because it's not a religious service.

Answer 2

If you are not planning on inviting people to the civil ceremony...

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (your parents)

and

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones (his parents)

graciously invite you to celebrate the union of

Mary and Paul

on

October the fourth, two thousand eight

at

Crest Valley Country Club

123 Anystreet Road

Anytown, AB, 12345

Cocktails served at 6:00 PM

Dinner served at 7:00 PM

Please RSVP by September 7th, 2008

If you are planning on inviting certain people to the ceremony (close family) make a little business card sized insert that says:

Please join us for the civil ceremony at

Allen County Courthouse

345 Whatever Avenue

Anytown, AB 12345

The ceremony will begin at 4:00 PM

Good luck!