To invite some guests to the drinks reception and others to the dinner, one digital invitation is enough: sort your guests into groups, then reserve the dinner for the groups invited to it. Each guest opens the version meant for them, and never sees the part of the day they are not invited to. No second print run, no swapped envelopes, and a single list of replies.
Why two invitations cause trouble
On paper, inviting in two circles means two printed versions, and as many chances to slip the wrong card into the wrong envelope. An invitation forwarded to a cousin then shows a dinner that is not meant for him. And replies arrive on two lists that you have to match up by hand.
A digital invitation solves this differently: the page is the same for everyone, but each step of the programme can be reserved for some groups. What a guest should not see is not hidden behind a sentence, it is simply not shown.
The method, in five steps
- List your circles. Most often: everyone at the ceremony and the drinks reception, some at the dinner, close family and friends at the next-day brunch.
- Create one group per circle in your guest list: "Reception", "Dinner", "Brunch", or simply "Family", "Friends", "Colleagues".
- Reserve each step for the groups concerned. The dinner for the groups invited to dinner, the brunch for your closest circle. A practical note or a room can be reserved the same way; rooms open from the Signature plan.
- Check with "View as this group": the invitation appears exactly as the group will receive it.
- Send the personal links. Each guest receives their own, by email, by SMS from the Essentiel plan, or by WhatsApp from your phone, and opens their group's version.
Who sees what
| Circle | What they see | What they do not see |
|---|---|---|
| Reception | Ceremony, drinks reception, shared practical notes | Dinner, brunch, reserved rooms |
| Dinner | Ceremony, drinks reception, dinner | Brunch, unless it is reserved for them |
| Closest circle | The whole programme, brunch included | No hidden step |
Words that avoid offence
The shared text only mentions what is shared. Avoid "reception only" or "after the reception, the evening will continue in a smaller circle": these phrases tell those who are not staying that something happens without them. Write instead "We look forward to celebrating with you at the ceremony and the drinks reception", and let the dinner step itself tell those who can see it that they are expected.
What about paper invitations?
If you print a few cards, give each group its own link and QR code: the dinner card opens the dinner version, the reception card its own. The details are in our guide to the QR code on paper invitations.
Replies, in one place
Whatever version a guest opens, their reply lands in the same list, with the number of seats you set for each household and the names of their plus-ones. You see at a glance who is coming, group by group: that is what guest management is for. To get started, create your wedding invitation: creating it is free, and the Découverte plan takes 10 guests so you can try it out.
