Traditional reception cards are printed cards that give information about where and when the reception is to be held. The reception cards are included in the ceremony invitations.

Traditional Formal Wording:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kramer
request the pleasure of your company
Saturday, the fifth of May
at six o'clock
North Shore Country Club
158 Hickory Lane
Traverse City, Michigan

Less Formal Wording:

Dinner and dancing
immediately following the ceremony
North Shore Country Club
158 Hickory Lane
Traverse City, Michigan

Include the full name and address of the reception site. If dinner will be served, be sure to state it.

Necessary or Not?
It is necessary to give your guests all the pertinent information about your where and when your wedding reception will take place. However it is not necessary to use a separate reception card.

Separate reception cards are slowly becoming a thing of the past. These days many brides choose to include the reception information on the wedding ceremony invitation. If you are on a tight budget, this will save you the cost of printing extra cards and possibly even extra postage.

Wording:
The following are some suggestions of ways to include the reception information on the ceremony invitation.

• If your reception will be held at the same location as your ceremony promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony, then simply print...

  Reception to follow OR Reception immediately following

• If your reception will be held at the same location as your ceremony, but in a different room or part of the facility then simply print...

  Reception to follow Terrace Room OR Hors d'oeuvres served at six-thirty Dinner and dancing to follow Terrace Room

• If your reception will be held at a different location from the ceremony promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony, then simply print...

  Dinner reception following ceremony North Shore Country Club 158 Hickory Lane Traverse City, Michigan

• If your reception will be held at a different location from the ceremony at time much later than the conclusion of the ceremony, then simply print...
  

  Dinner reception at six-thirty North Shore Country Club 158 Hickory Lane Traverse City, Michigan OR Hors d'oeuvres served at six-thirty Dinner and dancing to follow North Shore Country Club 158 Hickory Lane Traverse City, Michigan

All reception information should be placed on the bottom of the ceremony invitation, either centered or in a corner. Work with your printer to find the best design and placement for your invitation.