Invitation wording dilemma

I see your dilemna but I would never turn up to a wedding reception in jeans regardless the venue or circumstances. As long as you are sending out formal invites there is nothing to imply that it is any less formal than any other wedding.

Wondering what JoJo's put on hers actually as I think she's doing similar, getting married away but then full reception when she's back.

Would anyone really turn up in jeans and trainers for a wedding reception? Even the most informal reception I've been to in a room over a pub everyone made an effort.

I suppose you could change the wording slightly and instead of hog roast say something like 'food will be served at......' - people might think a Hog Roast is a glorified BBQ and will be messy.

I definitely wouldn't be turning up in jeans to any kind of wedding party - but maybe you could call it the (delayed) wedding reception or wedding breakfast in the invite so people know you are treating it as as much part of the wedding as the actual ceremony rather than just a party?

All you have to do is at the bottom of the invitation put "Dress code formal," "Dress code semi-formal," or "Dress code informal." I would shy away from the last one, as most people don't actually understand that informal dress means a suit for men and cocktail dress for women. Semi-formal means black-tie and evening dress, so it might be the best one to use. Or you could say "Jacket and tie required" and women will generally dress to the same level accordingly.

There is nothing strange about putting a dress code on a wedding invitation. My cousins wedding invite that came last week said "Black tie" in the lower left hand corner.

Also, I don't think "Hatton Hall" sounds pretentious in the slightest.

Hmm well it may be, seeing as Hatton Village Hall is written over the door. I don't know. I'm already referring to the event as our reception, so maybe that will help. I can get word of mouth round most family, I hope. Invitations will be fairly informal purely because I don't want to spend a fortune (Looking at some Z fold ones where we'll do our own artwork) but all will refer to "reception"

This is the venue:

I wouldn't personally turn up in jeans and trainers (or let H do it) for any wedding celebration. But if you are worried...

I do think "Hatton Hall" sounds much more formal than "Hatton Village Hall" - to me a village hall is like a church hall, something small and fairly informal, not like what you have described. I can't personally see the problem with using "Hatton Hall", unless everyone knows it as "village hall" and it's obvious you've fudged the name?

Also, rather than inviting people to "a reception", I do think it might be an idea to invite them to "a wedding breakfast followed by evening reception (or evening party)" as this makes it much more clear that you are having a formal event.

I have to say, I don't think most people really know what the particular 'dress codes' are. I admit that if I saw "semi-formal" I would take it to mean casual-ish dress and cardi for me and 'nice' trousers plus casual shirt for H (like a checked one or something). Most people I know wouldn't understand it either. We have had conversations on here where people have said they would feel offended at being told what to wear - not me personally, but some Hitchers. So for that reason, I'd avoid trying to directly say "please dress in a certain way".

What the other ladies have said, I genuinely can't see anyone coming to a wedding reception in jeans/trainers.

I don't think you have anything to worry about!

Could you make it slightly jokey by putting something like "on our return we would love to see you in your gladrags to help us celebrate at our reception"?

I'd be very surprised if people turned up in their jeans. ?

The fact that you have used the word 'Reception' in your invitation speaks volumes. It also sounds like a typical wedding reception by mentioning speeches etc.

BTW the venue looks gorgeous! xx

Yes, maybe. I was going to put something like "get dolled up and bring your dancing shoes" but I hate sounding as if I'm dictating to people. I hope people will be sensible - I mean, the women in my (large, extended) family will dress up, but their menfolk are the type to look for any excuse not to wear a suit. Not that I mind if they're in suits or not, I just dread "oh, ceilidh = barn dance = jeans and checked shirt". Not when I'm in a wedding dress anyway!! maybe I'm worrying about nothing. I'll get on with my next question for you all in a new thread....