Expert: Shannon M Mason - 1/24/2008

Question
Hi! My fiance and I are getting married in Vegas in October 2008. Our immediate family and four friends are going to join us. We will be returning home to have a reception the following weekend. We want our reception to be very informal-it will begin at 8pm. so we are not going to serve dinner. My first question is how to word the invites. I want to make it clear that casual dress is encouraged, and I also want everyone to know that there will be no dinner-only "snacks," such as a meat and cheese tray, trail mix, etc. The invites we have picked out are nice, but nothing very formal, as I wanted them to be more "fun." My second question is this-what would be some ideas for appropriate things to serve as appetizers? I know that hotel where the reception will be has their own menu of things to offer, but I would be completely open to suggestions!! Thank you so much for your help!!

Answer
Anna:

Since your invitations will go out prior to your wedding ceremony, they should say something like this:

Join us in celebrating the
marriage of
Anna <fullname>
and
>groomfullname>
with a cocktail reception marking the
return from our wedding
ceremony on <dateofreception>

Other than stating that it is a cocktail reception, food should not be mentioned. Appropriate items to serve should be things that are easily eaten with the fingers. Depending on your seating arrangements, you don't want your guests to have to balance a plate, cup and utensils.

You can certainly spread the word that dress is "casual," but you may want to decide how casual. A safe bet is to ask that guests come in resort wear or evening resort wear.   

**Resort wear would include shorts, short skirts, sandels, etc.

**Evening resort is still casual but no shorts, flip flops, sneakers, etc. Pretty much what you would feel comfortable wearing to a country club.

I hope this helps!
~Shannon