Christening Invitations with Aperitif: Avoid the Confusion

You send a christening invitation with an aperitif. It says 'aperitif after the ceremony'. At 12:30, guests nibble a few olives, thinking there's no sit-down meal. By 14:00, they're asking if a table is coming. The caterer confirms a full lunch at 14:30. Now you're explaining to hungry people why they should have eaten more.

The fix isn't a longer invitation. It's writing what happens and when. A christening invitation with an aperitif needs to say if there's a meal after, and at what time. That's it.

Christening invitations with aperitif: spell out the plan

If the invitation only says 'aperitif', guests assume it's just drinks and snacks. They eat little at 12:30 because they think there's no table. Then a full meal appears at 14:30. Write it plainly: 'aperitif and lunch' or 'aperitif followed by meal'. Add the times: 'Aperitif at 12:30, lunch at 14:30'. A short phrase saves you from hungry guests and repeated questions.

• Time: 'Aperitif at 12:30, meal at 14:30'. No time, no clarity.
• Place: address and map. Say if the aperitif is on the terrace and the meal is inside.
• Dress code: standing aperitif calls for different shoes than a seated meal. Write 'comfortable' or 'formal'.
• One clear line: 'Aperitif and then meal' or 'Aperitif only'. Don't mix two events in one paragraph.

The time matters more than the menu

A 12:00 aperitif and a 14:00 meal means guests block out the whole morning. If you only write 'aperitif', some will plan something else at 14:30. If the aperitif is at 13:30 and cake at 16:00, guests need to know they'll be standing for a while. The invitation should say that. A clear time gives them permission to stay or leave.

Example: on a terrace, guests arrived at 12:00, had aperitif, and at 14:00 asked if there was a table. With the meal time written, that didn't happen. You can edit a digital invitation after sending it. If the caterer confirms a meal later, change the text and the link stays the same. No reprints, no re-sending envelopes. With a digital invitation, you can update the time if the caterer changes the plan.

Write the aperitif time and what follows. That's the difference between a relaxed celebration and a lunch that starts with hungry guests.

The invitation solves logistics, not decoration

Besides the time, include the exact place with a map. If the aperitif is in the garden and the meal is inside, say so. The dress code also changes: a standing aperitif at midday doesn't call for the same shoes as a seated meal. And the RSVP is not a menu form. Ask only name and if they're coming. Confirmations arrive inside the invitation. If you want an invitation you can edit after sending, try a digital one from Send The Joy. Edit the aperitif time or add a meal without reprinting. No app is needed; guests open the link on their phone. Try it free in test mode and publish for €29.99 when you're ready.