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A variety of wedding stationery featuring floral designs, rustic elements, and elegant foil accents, perfect for customisable invitations.

 

When it comes to wedding planning, there’s no shortage of details to consider, and evening invitations are an important part of the puzzle. Evening invites are your chance to welcome friends and family to the latter part of your special day—and with a little planning, they can be as beautiful and thoughtful as the rest of your stationery.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about evening wedding invites, from crafting the perfect wording to choosing styles that reflect your wedding’s theme. We’ll also share some common mistakes to avoid, ensuring your invites make the right impression.


What Are Evening Wedding Invitations?

Evening invitations are sent to guests who will be joining you after the main ceremony and wedding breakfast, typically for the reception. These invitations are often simpler than daytime invites but should still reflect your wedding’s overall style and theme.

They’re a great way to include extended family, work colleagues, or friends who couldn’t attend the ceremony. Evening invites ensure that your wider circle gets to celebrate with you, even if they weren’t part of the full-day event. Personally, I loved using ours as an opportunity to invite more friends without stressing about fitting everyone into the ceremony.


How to Get Your Wording Just Right

The wording of your evening invites sets the tone for your event and ensures your guests have all the essential details. Here are some tips to make sure your invites are clear and stylish:

1. Include the Key Details

Your evening invite should include:

  • Names of the couple

  • Date and time of the evening reception

  • Venue name and address

  • RSVP details (if applicable)

For example:

You are warmly invited to celebrate the wedding of [Name] & [Name] at an evening reception.
Date: Saturday, 15th June 2025
Time: From 7:30 pm
Venue: The Manor House, Cotswold Lane, Gloucestershire
RSVP by 1st May to [contact details]

2. Set the Tone

Match the wording style to your wedding theme. For example:

  • Formal: Mr and Mrs Thomas request the pleasure of your company at the evening reception celebrating the marriage of their daughter, Emily, to Mr James Wilson.

  • Casual: We’d love for you to join us for drinks, dancing, and celebrations as we tie the knot!

3. Avoid Common Wording Pitfalls

One common mistake is forgetting to specify that the invite is for the evening only. To avoid confusion, include a clear statement like: Evening Reception Only. I’ve heard stories of guests turning up in the middle of the wedding breakfast—don’t let this be you!


Choosing the Perfect Style

Your evening invites don’t have to match your daytime invitations exactly, but they should still complement your wedding theme. Here are some ideas:

1. Foil-Pressed Elegance

Foil pressing adds a luxurious touch to your invites. Consider metallic hues like gold, rose gold, or silver to make your evening invites stand out.

2. Rustic Charm

For countryside or barn weddings, opt for kraft paper or designs with greenery. These natural elements create a relaxed and inviting feel.

3. Minimalist Modern

If your wedding style leans towards the contemporary, choose simple, clean designs with bold typography and subtle details.

4. Themed Invitations

Incorporate motifs or colours from your wedding day, such as florals, watercolour effects, or seasonal accents, to tie your evening invites to the overall event.

 

A botanical wedding invitation suite with greenery designs, matching envelopes, and inserts. Beside it, a bride holds a bouquet of white roses and eucalyptus.

 


 

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Planning your evening invites can feel overwhelming, but avoiding these common pitfalls will ensure everything runs smoothly:

1. Forgetting to Include RSVP Information

Even if you’re not planning a sit-down meal, it’s still helpful to know how many people will be attending. Include an RSVP date and contact method on your invites.

2. Overcomplicating the Design

Evening invites don’t need to include as much detail as daytime invitations. Stick to the essentials and avoid overcrowding the design.

3. Sending Invitations Too Late

Send your evening invites at least 6-8 weeks before the big day. This gives guests plenty of time to make arrangements.

4. Not Proofreading

Spelling mistakes or incorrect details can cause confusion and leave a poor impression. Double-check all information before printing.

 

 

 


 

Examples of Evening Invitation Layouts

Example of Evening Invite Wording - Formal & Casual

 

To help you visualise the information you need to include, here are three examples of how your evening invitations could look, depending on your wedding style:

1. Formal Evening Invite

For a traditional wedding:

Mr and Mrs Alexander Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the evening reception celebrating the marriage of their daughter,
Charlotte Anne Smith
to
Mr Jonathan Edward Green.
Date: Saturday, 10th August 2025
Time: From 7:00 pm
Venue: The Grand Ballroom, Park Lane Hotel, London
Dress Code: Black Tie
RSVP by 1st July to [email/phone]

2. Casual Evening Invite

For a relaxed or modern celebration:

Join us for an evening of drinks, dancing, and laughter
as we celebrate our wedding!
[Names of the couple]
Date: Friday, 14th June 2025
Time: From 8:00 pm
Venue: The Willow Barn, Somerset
RSVP by 1st May to [email/phone]

3. Cute/Quirky Evening Invite

For a fun, creative vibe:

We’re getting hitched, and you’re invited to the after-party!
[Names of the couple]
Date: Saturday, 20th July 2025
Time: 7:30 pm until late
Venue: The Garden Room, Rosewood Hall
Wear your dancing shoes and get ready to celebrate!
RSVP by 15th June to [email/phone]

Each example shows how you can tailor the tone and style of your invite to match your wedding’s personality while ensuring all essential information is included.


How to Make Your Evening Invites Memorable

Want your invites to stand out? Here are a few creative touches:

  • Add an Envelope Liner: A patterned or floral-lined envelope adds an extra touch of luxury and perhaps a pop of colour.

  • Personalise Each Invite: Use your guests’ names rather than generic wording to make the invite feel special.

  • Include a QR Code: Link to your wedding website for extra details like directions or accommodation.

  • Add a Keepsake Element: Consider including a small tag, ribbon, or wax seal for added flair.

 

 


Shop Evening Invitations with Vintage Prints

At Vintage Prints, we don’t specifically list evening wedding invitations as a separate product—all of our wedding invitations can be customised to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for an evening invite or a daytime one, you can simply use any of the wedding invitation listings on our website and personalise them as evening invites. Our listings allow you to tailor everything, from wording and layouts to colours, to perfectly match your vision.

Many of our customers choose something extravagant for their day invites and opt for a simpler, more cost-effective design for their evening invites. For example, you can use a standard invite style with RSVP details like an email or phone number included at the bottom. We can even create simplified versions of your daytime invites for evening guests, ensuring your stationery remains cohesive without breaking the bank.

Additionally, we can include a QR code on your invites, linking guests to your wedding website for further details such as directions, accommodation, or even your gift registry.

Ready to start designing your evening invites? Visit our wedding invitations page to explore our full collection.

 

Becca O'Hanlon Posted by Becca O'Hanlon
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