An evening wedding invitation should say who is celebrating, the date, the venue, the time the evening begins (and ends, if it does), and how to reply, in the same warm tone and design as your day invitation. Leave out ceremony times and meal choices, avoid phrases like "evening only", and send it at the same time as the day invitations. That's all it takes for evening guests to feel just as wanted.
What to include on an evening invitation
- Your names and a welcoming line inviting them to celebrate.
- The date and day of the week.
- The venue name and full address with postcode.
- The time the evening starts, usually when the first dance or evening food begins, and a finish time if there is one.
- What to expect: dancing, an evening buffet, a band or DJ.
- How and when to reply.
- Anything practical: dress code, parking, last trains or taxis.
Evening invitation wording examples
Classic
Ella Harper and James Whitfield request the pleasure of your company at their evening reception on Saturday 12th June 2027 from 7pm until midnight, Hartwell Manor, Cheshire.
Warm and modern
Ella and James would love you to join them for their evening celebration. Saturday 12 June 2027, from 7pm until late, at Hartwell Manor. Food, drinks and plenty of dancing!
Relaxed and fun
We're married! (Well, we will be by 7pm.) Come and dance the night away with Ella and James on Saturday 12 June 2027 at Hartwell Manor.
Hosted by parents
Mr and Mrs David Harper invite you to an evening reception to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Ella to James Whitfield, Saturday 12th June 2027 at 7.30pm, Hartwell Manor.
How to avoid evening guests feeling B-list
Most people understand that venues have limits and day guest lists are mostly close family. What hurts is when the evening invitation feels like a lesser version. Small choices make a big difference:
- Use the same design as your day invitation, not a plainer one.
- Send them at the same time, so nobody receives theirs weeks later.
- Avoid "evening only" or "you are also invited to". Simply invite them to the evening celebration.
- Make sure evening guests are greeted and included: a welcome from the couple and evening food make people feel wanted.
What time should evening guests arrive?
Choose a time just before the moment you want them there for, usually the cutting of the cake or the first dance, often between 7pm and 8pm. Check timings with your venue so evening guests aren't waiting around while the wedding breakfast finishes. If there's a hard finish time for the bar or music, include it so guests can plan their way home.
Do evening guests need to RSVP?
Yes. You need numbers for evening food, the bar and any capacity limits at your venue. Evening guests don't need meal choices, but asking whether they're coming, and how many children they're bringing if children are invited, keeps your numbers accurate. Our RSVP guide explains how to keep day and evening replies in one place.
Day and evening invitations that match
Every Open with Love design comes in a day version and an evening version that match, with the right details on each: ceremony times and meal choices for day guests, evening times for evening guests. Both send replies to the same dashboard. See the day and evening versions in the demo, or create yours and preview it free.