What are you celebrating? Wedding, anniversary, their return to USA? Meet and greet? That’d be a start that will help w/wording.

How can there not be a host? Who is paying for the reception? Who is issuing the invitation? If her parents are paying and you are issuing the invitation: DIL's father's and mother's first name and last name) invite you to celebrate the (2016) wedding of their daughter (name) and (son's name) for cocktails and buffet dinner at.... The RSVP would be to you. If both you and in-laws are paying, similar wording. If son and DIL are paying, they are inviting with RSVP to (you?). If the reception will be Dutch treat, IDK.

ETA: I like the "At Last" reference!

We are belatedly celebrating their wedding. I was trying to keep it uncomplicated but am so stuck on wording the invite properly. My husband and I are not hosting. My son and DIL are my treating with a bit of help from us.

I think jojo's got a nice approach.

Adding--I am reading a fascinating book that you might want to dig into. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker is all about how and why people gather and how to make gatherings truly special and enjoyable.

I highly recommend it; the author delves into some very meta ideas about this topic, things I don't know that most of us would ever consciously consider. Then she uses those insights to provide some wonderful suggestions on how to create better gatherings.

In your situation, this seems like a genuinely special reason for a gathering, not just a casual no-host chance to come somewhere and have drinks,apps and dinner ;). Not that I assume that's what you are planning, but this is definitely a wonderful reason to gather as you celebrate a joyful life change that can now to be shared with friends and family. Party time!

Delilah, you have given me an idea. Perhaps something like: Dharma and Greg invite you to celebrate their 2016 wedding.....

it is complicated because we have not met the family and they are not involved in the planning to this point.

Thanks, Running. I have requested the book at the library! We are hoping this gathering will be special for all. It took my son a long time to take the plunge! There is a language barrier with DIL’s family so that brings with it extra challenge but we are looking forward to creating a relationship with them and celebrating our new family.

https://www.magnetstreet.com/wedding-blog/post-wedding-reception-invitation-wording

or https://www.storkie.com/t-wedding-reception-invitation-etiquette.aspx

https://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Post_Wedding_Reception_Wording

And I'd add at least the heading in the bride's language, e.g. At last! Enfin!

By tying this party to their wedding, you are inviting wedding gifts. Is that your intention? After two years, I'd probably not even bring up the wedding, that has too many complicated rituals, and looks like a gift-grab.

Just say that it's a meet/greet on their visit home.

Since it took DS a long time to take the plunge, At Last HAS to be on the invitation somehow! At last he’s married/at last he’s home!

Darma and Greg are visiting us in (month or dates) along with Darma’s Mother and father ( first and last names). Darma and Greg asked that you join our family for cocktails and buffet (or just say dinner) at Golf Club on date from x to y pm. Please rsvp to......

How joyful for you and DH! If you reveal the in-laws’ nationality here you may get some pertinent language and customs advice from these knowledgeable GWers!

Congratulations!

Thank you all for your insights. You have given me much to ponder. I will clarify some things. Ours is a very close family. A number of nieces and nephews have been married and those occasions are family reunions. Everyone goes, sometimes great distances. When Greg married Dharma the aunts, uncles and cousins/ spouses were so happy for them. They WANT to celebrate the marriage because the “bride and groom” live in Vietnam and did not have what all of the others experienced. As for gifts, yes, some were given. This is not a “gift grab” and G and D have requested a discreet “no gifts please” to be added at the bottom of the invite. My thought was to celebrate this as a union of two people who finally found each other on the other side of the world. My intention was not to label this as a wedding reception but I was struggling as to what I should call it! I appreciate all of your thoughts.

You found the right words: "We invite you to celebrate the union of Dharma and Greg, two people who finally found each other on the other side of the world. Please join us for this happy occasion!"

runninginplace thanks for the book recommendation, I teach an introductory course in rite of passage theory and this fits perfectly.

It's always wonderful to have a reason to gather the family and celebrate. Congratulations. I hope you have a wonderful time. I like the idea of using the words, At last, as jojoco suggested.

At Last!

Please come celebrate

Dharma & Greg

Details of place

Time

Rsvp

I am not into big weddings or gift giving or receiving (didn't register for my wedding because I considered it strange, like a wish list.)

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with referring to their wedding, especially if it is the purpose to celebrate their union among family. Some of the examples mentioned in the links above seem very appropriate to me.

Are they moving here or just visiting?

Also, I'm not quite sure anymore what the "at last" refers to? at last they/we are married? hope not. at last they/we're here? At last we/you meet her? May not be the best feelings expressed.

In my eyes, "At Last" refers to the fact that the (non) hosts are finally able to invite family to celebrate the marriage. For those who are unfamiliar with the song, here are the lyrics:

At last my love has come along
My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah
At last the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up clover the night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill I've never known, oh yeah
You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last

This seems like a welcome back home party. Some wording: Please join us as we celebrate../ Your presence is the only present desired.

So many good ideas, thank you all. Jojo, I love that song! They will be coming home, unfortunately for only a month. I am going to go back through all of the suggestions, jot them down and come up with a plan this weekend. I have been procrastinating due to phrasing paralysis. However, I have come to realize that no one will analyze the invites (only me) and will be happy to celebrate the happy event (be it a wedding, anniversary, meet the in-laws or welcome to the States) regardless of the moniker it is given.

You're right. Nobody will parse the invitation the way we do here. They'll look at the names, date and place.

I got it:

”y’all come over, ‘ya hear; plenty of vittles and libations for all”

LOL, Bossy!

"My thought was to celebrate this as a union of two people who finally found each other on the other side of the world." Who is giving the toast because this is it. Lovely.

Oh I know! Everyone is sure to come if it's a family reunion, they are the guests of honor, then, surprise vow renewal, let's party!

Would the word 'marriage' be more appropriate than 'wedding' - as in 'celebrate their marriage'?