Invitations for a Reception After an Overseas Wedding

More and more couples are choosing to marry abroad, whether it’s on a tropical beach, a romantic European city, or an adventurous destination far from home. An overseas wedding can be unforgettable, but it can also make it difficult for family and friends to attend. Travel costs, time off work, and school schedules often prevent many loved ones from joining the celebrations abroad.

For this reason, many couples are choosing to hold a reception party at home after their destination wedding. This way, you can still enjoy an intimate wedding abroad with your closest family, while celebrating in style with a wider circle of friends and relatives once you return.

There are no strict rules when it comes to invitations for a post-wedding reception. The style you choose will depend on your personal taste, your wedding theme, and the atmosphere you want to create for your at-home celebration.

Many couples who marry abroad opt for beach-themed wedding invitations to match their overseas ceremony. For example, if you were married on a tropical island, a reception invitation featuring palm trees, sand, and waves helps tie everything together beautifully. Traditional designs are less common in this situation, with couples often preferring something that reflects the destination where they tied the knot.

At Dotty About Paper, our range of Wedding Celebration Invitations includes designs inspired by beaches, sunsets, and travel, all of which can be personalised to your exact needs. Even if your reception isn’t by the sea, continuing the theme of your wedding keeps your stationery cohesive and memorable.

• Paradise Beach Wedding Invitation – soft pastel shades with a relaxed, tropical vibe.
• Tropical Beach Scene Wedding Invitation – bold colours and a vibrant holiday feel.
• Photo Upload Wedding Invitation – perfect for using your own favourite image, whether it’s of your wedding destination or a place that’s special to you.
• Custom Designed Destination Wedding Invitation – have a design tailored to your chosen location.

These styles can be personalised and ordered with envelopes, free online proofs, and delivery included.

Even though your at-home reception is technically a separate event, it is still part of your wedding celebrations. Carrying through the same theme gives your stationery and overall event a sense of continuity. Guests who couldn’t attend the ceremony abroad will appreciate being included in the full story of your wedding journey.

A beach or travel-inspired design is also a fun way to help guests feel connected to your overseas experience, even if they weren’t physically there. It sets the tone for a relaxed and joyful celebration, which is often the goal of these post-wedding parties.

One of the most important parts of your invitation is the wording. It should clearly communicate that the marriage has already taken place abroad and that you are inviting your guests to celebrate with you at home. Below are some tried-and-tested examples:

We’re getting ready to depart on a romantic trip, which is only the start!

Nicola Jones and James Owen will be married on Saturday, 26th September, 2015 in Turks & Caicos.

Please join us for a reception when we return,

October 10th, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

at The Ramada Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley.

Nicola Jones and James Owen are joining hearts and getting married on the tranquil shores of Cancun,

Saturday 26th of September 2015.

Please join them for a wedding celebration

Saturday 10th of October 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

The Ramada Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley.

Love makes life a paradise...

Nicola Jones and James Owen joined hearts and were married in Waikiki, Hawaii,

September 26th, 2014.

Join them for a wedding reception

Saturday, October 10th, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.

at The Ramada Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley.

Nicola Jones and James Owen will begin their lives together

on September 25, 2014 at Sunset Beach Resort of Nassau, Bahamas.

Please join us in a celebration of our marriage

Saturday, October 10, 2014, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

at The Ramada Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley.

• Be clear about the timing – Make sure your wording shows that the wedding has already taken place, and that this is the celebration afterwards.
• Match the theme – If you had a beach wedding, consider a beach-themed invitation design to tie the two events together.
• Personalise with photos – A picture of your destination or even your wedding ceremony makes the invitation extra meaningful.
• Set the tone – Decide whether you want your reception to feel formal, casual, or like a big party, and let the invitation wording reflect that.

Once your invitations are sorted, you may also want to think about matching wedding stationery for the big party itself. Even though the marriage ceremony is already over, you’ll likely still want items such as:

• Guest Books – for friends and family to leave messages.

• Table Plans – if you are organising a sit-down meal.

• Place Cards – to add style and organisation to your tables.

• Thank You Cards – a thoughtful way to thank guests for attending your reception or giving gifts.

At Dotty About Paper, we offer matching stationery collections that carry through your chosen design from invitations to on-the-day details. This ensures your overseas wedding and at-home reception feel part of the same joyful celebration.

Hosting a reception at home after an overseas wedding allows you to celebrate with everyone who couldn’t travel to the ceremony. With the right invitation design and wording, you can set the perfect tone for your big party and ensure all your loved ones feel included.

From tropical beach themes to personalised photo designs, there are endless options to suit your style. Browse our Wedding Celebration Invitations today and create the perfect stationery for your post-wedding reception.