Christening & Christian Occasion Invitations

What to include

The two-venue structure is where invitations most often go wrong.

• Both locations, clearly separated. The church and the reception, each with its own time and address.
• The service start time, and when to be seated — usually ten to fifteen minutes earlier.
• Whether guests are invited to both, or only to the reception. Say so plainly; it is not rude, it is helpful.
• Godparents' names, for a baptism or christening — guests like to know, and it honours them.
• Food and dress, briefly. “Lunch to follow” and “smart but comfortable” cover most questions.
• Parking, which is often the hardest part of a Sunday morning at a church.

When to send

Church dates are usually booked well in advance, so you can give generous notice.

• Four to six weeks ahead for a baptism, christening or confirmation.
• Six weeks or more if godparents or family are travelling.
• Ask for replies two weeks before, so the reception numbers are settled in good time.

Wording you can borrow

Simple and sincere reads best for these.

Keeping track of two guest lists

Church seating and reception catering are usually different numbers, and working that out from replies scattered across messages is a headache. A link invitation collects every reply in one place, so you can see who is coming before you confirm with the venue.