Need help in wording party invitation

[gobluem82]

We're planning a surprise party for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary, and DH graciously volunteered me to be in charge of the invitations :eek: The only part that's kind of tricky is that the only time we can get the room for the reception is 4:00-8:00, but due to cost concerns and the constraints of the room, we are serving finger foods only. I can't really call it a cocktail party, either, since we aren't serving alcohol, just soft drinks and punch. How can I word the invitation so people won't be expecting a full meal? You all are so good at these things; I know you'll come up with some great ideas. TIA!

[misskitty100]

Could you say something like: Please join us for hor's doevres and wedding cake"?

[funniegrrl]

I would call it a reception.

[Gumbeaux]

Maybe say "light hor's doevres"?

[testkitchen45]

I like the "light" in there, which can be loosely translated as, "eat something at home first." ;)

"Please join us for light hors d'oeuvres and wedding cake."

Watch your spelling, too :) ; I kind of prefer my kids' joking pronunciation of "horsey doo-vers" b/c the real term is right up there with Worcestershire as being tough to spell.

[funnybone]

I'm not sure what is proper wording, but if I were invited from 4 - 8, I would expect a meal. From 2 - 6, I would not. I think what Gumbeaux and testkitchen have mentioned should suffice so there is no assumptions made.

[Robyncz]

You know, I think there are two things complicating this. At that time of day, I think there would generally be a meal, but I completely understand working within budgetary restraints! The other problem is the four hour duration. I think you could definitely get away with a simple appetizer and cake reception, but 4 hours of reception with finger foods, punch, and cake seems really long to me. What are people going to do all that time? I think scheduling the reception from 4-6 or 6-8 would make more sense, both in terms of party planning and in terms of guests planning their meal for before or after the party. But that's just me.

All that aside, I think the light hors d'oevres and wedding cake wording is good.

[ChristyMarie]

Heavy finger foods or light? I mean, you can totally do an entire appetizer reception - and allow people to have enough to eat as if they had eaten a sit down meal.

I think the wording depends on the type/quantity of finger foods. If it isn't enough to make up a "meal" size portion I like the "light ...." suggestion. However, if it is enough to make up a meal I don't think you need to say anything specific on the invitation.

[TKay]

I agree that "light" is a good word to have in there. You want to make it clear to people that the reception does not include dinner. You'd hate for people to show up ready for a meal.
"Reception from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Light hors d'ouvres and cake will be served."

[Clover]

You know, I think there are two things complicating this. At that time of day, I think there would generally be a meal, but I completely understand working within budgetary restraints! The other problem is the four hour duration. I think you could definitely get away with a simple appetizer and cake reception, but 4 hours of reception with finger foods, punch, and cake seems really long to me. What are people going to do all that time? I think scheduling the reception from 4-6 or 6-8 would make more sense, both in terms of party planning and in terms of guests planning their meal for before or after the party. But that's just me.


I think 4 hours is a long duration for an affair with just appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks, unless there is something you have planned that is going to take up the time. Is the room only rented in 4-hour increments? Even if you have to rent it until 8 o'clock, if you said it was a reception from 4 to 6, people wouldn't expect a meal, and they could hang around longer if they wanted to, since you would really have the room until 8.

[gobluem82]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I should clarify things a little bit. This is taking place in South Carolina, where "drop-ins" are popular, so I think the idea was for people to kind of pop in and out depending on their schedules and not necessarily stay the whole 4 hours (although out-of-town guests probably would stay). Maybe the invitation needs to be worded differently to make that more clear. With that being the case, you also may be wondering how one can organize a "surprise" drop-in. Since so many out-of-towners will be coming in the night before, we will actually be telling my in-laws then, not at the party itself.

I haven't been directly involved in making the party arrangements. I definitely would do things differently if I were planning it myself...but that would be the subject of another thread altogether. :rolleyes: Their original idea was to have the surprise party at my in-laws' house!! :eek: I'm trying to tread the line between making subtle suggestions and butting in.

[misskitty100]

Well, I would call what you are planning an "open house" but I don't think I have ever heard of an open house at a rental hall type place so not sure that term is appropriate for your gathering either.

[Robyncz]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I should clarify things a little bit. This is taking place in South Carolina, where "drop-ins" are popular, so I think the idea was for people to kind of pop in and out depending on their schedules and not necessarily stay the whole 4 hours (although out-of-town guests probably would stay). Maybe the invitation needs to be worded differently to make that more clear.


Ohhh. Now I get it! Yes, I think you should definitely make the come-and-go nature of the event clear in the invitation, but I'm not sure how to do it.

[tbb113]

How about something like this:

In honor of A & B's 50th Wedding Anniversary, please join us anytime between 4pm and 8pm at ABC Restaurant.

Light hors d'ouvres and cake will be served