Post wedding reception

My husband lives overseas and we had a beautiful small wedding a year ago at his country of residence.

Unfortunately, not many people from my side could attend the wedding.

We are planning to have a reception/party a few months after he arrives to celebrate the beginning of our life together, and at the same time it would be an opportunity for my friends and relatiaves to meet him.

We are thinking of having part of the reception traditional (dinner meal, pictures with family and close friends) and after the dinner, it would be more like a theme party (Paris, the city where we got married) with games, photobooth, dancing.

By the time we plan this reception, approximately 18 months would have passed since the wedding.

My friends and family think its a good idea to celebrate since we have not started our life yet together.

Do you think it's appropriate to have a party more than a year after the wedding?

Any suggestions on how to make this successful without looking too tacky?

And what wording should I put into the invitations?

Answer by Diane:

Hello and thanks for your question. I agree with your family and friends that it would be a great idea to have this reception.

This same situation happens to quite a few couples and it is a great way to for both sides of the family to meet each other.


As for the wording for the invitation, you can go either casual such as...

On (date of wedding) at (place of wedding)
(groom's name) and (bride's name) became one heart.
Their love filled the house of worship like no others could.

Please join in celebrating their new start
By attending a dinner in their honor
At (place of reception)
On (date of reception)
At (time of reception)


or you could go more formal such as...

Miss _____________________ (bride's first and middle name)
and Mr. ________________________ (groom's first, middle and last name)
Were joined in marriage_________, the __ of ________ (day of the week, day and month of wedding)

Please join them at a reception to celebrate their marriage
Hosted by ___________________ (whoever is hosting, parents, etc.)at ____ o'clock (time of wedding) in the _________ (time of day) at ___________________ (name of the location of reception)_________, ____________ (city and state/province where the reception will take place)


What I would also do is include a reference to your Paris theme and if you would like your guests to dress Parisian, etc. so that they are prepared for your reception.

And don't forget, if you need decorations to turn your wedding into "Paris" I highly recommend Shindigz.com.

They carry all the decorations you could need for a Parisian party/reception!

Best Wishes to you always!