Is a dessert & champagne reception at 6pm okay?

Question

We will be putting on the invites that we're serving just desserts & champagne at the reception. We'll also serve beer & wine, coffee & non-alcoholic drinks. My mom thinks we should have savory appetizers as well, like veggie trays & cheese, but I think this is tacky, especially if we get them from a grocery store. I think desserts & champagne is classy. We're on a low budget, so it's the best option for us, but I'm still afraid people will want a full meal, since the reception is around dinner time. Will people know to eat before the wedding if we put it on the invite?

Well, its for about 75 people, and we can't do it much later because our venue has a cutoff time of 10pm. So the latest it could really start is 7. But I don't want to feel like my wedding is over before it begins.

Another edit: I WOULD NEVER put on my invite that they should eat before they come. It would say Desserts & Champage to follow. or Hors D'eouvres & Desserts to follow. Another thing, the cost of the beverages is not in question, and we will be serving much more than cake. We plan on having more than a dozen varieties of desserts in Petit Fours form. From cheesecake to key lime pie, all bite size. And wedding cake, and a candy buffet.

Answer 1

Ettiqute says that a champagne and dessert reception is fine. Enjoy your ceremony and don't worry about the guests. As long as you state that there will be only champagne and desserts served ahead of time people will know to eat beforehand.

Answer 2

It's fine, but my only question is whether the reception starts at 6 or the wedding starts at 6? If the event is just starting at 6, many people will have at least eaten something in the form of dinner or a light meal by then (I hope!). If the reception starts at 6, then that means there is at least an hour, hour and a half before then when the ceremony took place, along with the logistics of getting everyone in the reception venue. That's a long time to expect people not to eat, so I wouldn't expect my reception to last long if that were the case. If that is, cut out the darn petit fours and sub them for hor d'oeuvres. Nobody needs that many petit fours. LOL. Also, I think people might appreciate it more if they had something savory, like your mom said in the hord d'oeurves, and just had wedding cake without all the fancy desserts. It's better than nothing. Then they can decide to have a late, light meal later on.

Answer 3

ooh, This is a tricky situation. You need more details. How many people is this for, where is it held, and how long is your event?

I think your mother is right. You need to have a little more than cake and champagne. I am getting married in March and I am on a budget too. Our event is from 2-6 and we are serving heavy apps. It will not look tacky if you ORDER a tray from the deli counter at your local walmart. They have great prices on all platters and beautiful presentation. You can have a lavash tray, meat and cheese tray, and veggie tray, and fruit tray. Serving just desserts isnt very appealing if you have diabetics or people who arent that into sweets. Cut the cost by not serving champagne for your guest. Save the champagne for the bride and groom. Or if you must have a sparkling beverage serve a sparling cider. If you insist on having champagne only serve enough for everyone to toast. Serve wine instead. You can have simple red and white wines for a fraction of the cost of champagne. You can have an elegant wedding for a little bit of money if you are creative. If you want some more ideas just email me. I'll be more than happy to help. I am on a strict budget but you would bbe amazed at what I can do with a little cash.

P.S. It is tacky to tell your guests to eat before they come on the invitation. Time and address are all that should be on there. And you are right people will expect a meal around that time so its a best bet to serve appetizers buffet style. Decorate the table with lots of candles and greenery and it will look tasty and beautiful.



AND dont listen to the first answer. IF ANYTHING have it earlier. The later the reception the more formal it tends to be and a sit down dinner is more appropriate. My reception is from 2-6. Its after lunch and before dinner so we are having light apps and cake. Think about this too. No one eats until you do. So even though your guests are there they wont be served until 7. If you can I would suggest having it around a time your guest do not expect to be eating dinner. It will save you lots of money, not only that you will save on alcohol because no one want to party hard late afternoon.

Answer 4

You will have to keep the combined ceremony & reception fairly brief, like under 4 hours with under 3 being better. If you keep your guests longer than that, then you are obliged to serve a real meal, not just a snack. Since vegetable and cheese platters don't count as "a real meal", providing them will not allow you extend your festivities beyond the 3-4 hour limit.

The way you warn people to fortify themselves beforehand is via your reception card. This is a small card placed within the invitation that reads something like:

Followed by a desert reception

Blodgette's Banquet Hall

123 Pestilence Road

Grudville, Ohio

If the reception is in the same location as the wedding, then a single line like "Followed by a beer and pretzel reception" should be on the card.

Similarly, you can put "Followed by a dinner reception" on the card to let people know what to expect.

Answer 5

I think this sounds like an inspired idea to be honest, especially if you are putting on your invites "Champagne and Desserts" etc so that people know what to expect. It is better to have a few items of quality food than a lot of trashy stuff. It sounds like a sweet canape selection, you could word it as champagne and sweet canape reception to follow. It is your wedding so go with what you want, don't be bullied into anything you don't want/can't afford. A selection of really nice cheese and biscuits or some pate and bread with green salad would be a cheaper and classier alternative to veggie trays from a grovery store.

Answer 6

It's your wedding - if this is what you choose to do and clearly put it on the invitations "Dessert & Champagne Reception to follow ceremony", it is your guests fault for not reading that. If they are still hungry afterwards, then go to a local restaurant and order a meal. One thing you might want to consider though is having a line up of cheese available though because sweets aren't for everyone and what if you have guests who are diabetic and can't eat dessert? I would leave it at that though.

Hope that helps.

Answer 7

I would start at seven. and on the invites specify that champagne and desserts to follow at reception. But 3 hours is a long time to eat sugar and drink alcohol. part of serving food during an event is to help the guests moderate their alcohol intake. you have to be responsible so when your guests leave they are not invovled in an accident.

Answer 8

I think it sounds great! Very classy! My only thought is that you may want to make it a little later in the evening. If people go to the wedding (which I assume is at 4 or 5), they will be mighty hungry by the time the reception rolls around. Can you have it at 7??

Answer 9

I say go with your heart and what you want it's your day. I would tell the guest on inivation you are only serving desserts and drinks this way they can eat b4 they come. sounds nice and like a dream. I see no problem if they don't eat real food b4 thats there problem they were warned and they have a right to leave early if they need.