So, my mom is the only one helping me pay for my wedding, so of course I want to keep her thoughts in mind...however for the reception we have two different opinions...she wants a tea party..and I was thinking finger sandwiches, vegetable tray, fruit and cheese tray, and cake...she is completely against having a vegetable tray at a wedding...so I'm wondering..how appropriate it would be, to have a reception around 2pm and just serve cake and punch...this way it is after lunch, and people would start leaving around dinner time...however some part of me feels as though I would owe my guest a meal....opinions please...I don't have the money to go out and get a caterer, and I don't see the point in having a desert reception.....there is such a thing as too much sweets...of course I would still have the dancing and all the fun stuff...I'm just stuck when it comes to the food area...thanks...in advance for the opinions.
2006-09-07 20:33:16 · 20 answers · asked by just wondering 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
People are giving you presents, you owe them more than just cake and punch. Finger sandwiches etc sound good though. You need to have a lot of variety.
2006-09-07 20:36:10 · answer #1 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you're going for a casual reception, which is usually called a cake and champagne reception. That's completely okay, so long as the reception is short (about 2 hours). But I'd still serve some appetizers and hordourves, though. If you're planning on a full six-hour reception, they need a meal.
If the vegetable tray is the only thing out of the list of trays you provided that she doesn't like, then forgo the veggie tray, although I think it's a good idea to keep it.
If she doesn't like the idea of food, then point out to her that some people are diabetic or hypoglycemic or just old, and they need to eat something without too much sugar (like cake, bread, and fruit).
2006-09-08 09:44:39 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 pm is an excellent time for a cake an dpunch reception. you're right-- at a non-meal time of day it is totally legit to have a non-meal reception.
But on the invitations you need to use the phrase "cake and punch reception" so people know not to expect a meal.
Actually you could indicate "cake and punch reception" and STILL add a fruit and cheese tray or small tea sandwiches-- a few nibbles before the cake is served. Our reception will be very simillar (but we are using a caterer).
2006-09-10 03:00:39 · answer #3 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not too many people are going to eat after a 2 o'clock wedding. It is after lunch time and before dinner. Think more finger foods like cucumber sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit trays, little ham and roast beef. sandwiches. If you want to just have cake and punch go for it. But if you are serving alcohol go with few more items so people don't have empty stomachs.
2006-09-08 03:49:42 · answer #4 · answered by deltazeta_mary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tea party may not be appropriate because it would not appeal to all of your guests. Many folks don't like tea and wouldn't appreciate the appeal of a tea party.
However, finger sandwiches and other appetizers are appropriate. If your mom is against a veggie tray, I would suggest having other options instead. Perhaps other "miniature" appetizers. If you go to your local grocery store they may have appetizer options that are quite inexpensive. Or your local wholesale club. They offer hot and cold options but I would suggest having a mix of both if you can.
If you don't have access to an oven or anything to heat the appetizers I recommend:
- Fresh Fruit with a tastey fruit dip
- Fancy veggies and nice dips
- Mini chocolate fountains with goodies around it (fruit, cookies, etc for dipping)
- Cold finger sandwiches (a variety is key)
- Cheese & crackers with pepperoni
- Deviled Eggs
- Cold crab dip w/crackers
- Antipasto
- BLT dip (www.allrecipes.com has a great recipe)
- Ham & Basil pinwheels (again, www.allrecipes.com has a great recipe)
And then maybe an assortment of tastey desserts and cake.
These are just suggestions to have a nice and elegant appetizer reception. But don't rule out contacting a caterer. They may be far less expensive than you think!!
2006-09-08 08:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by PT&L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is your wedding, and you don't want to bankrupt yourself just for one day. The tea party sounds really cute and inexpensive, however, I also like your idea of cake and punch, I would not be offended if I went to a friends wedding and had cake and punch, I would just be happy for my friend and join in her celebration. Some people expect way too much, they are a guest, not the happy couple, so they should be grateful for an invite and see what is really important about the day, the fact that they have been invited to witness your wedding, and that the emphasis is not on the food, or how much you can show off.
2006-09-08 08:28:13 · answer #6 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She has a problem with a vegetable tray at a wedding? What could possibly be the issue with a vegetable tray?
I really, really don't get this. Just get over it and go buy some food, for heavens sake. You definitely need to have more than just cake.
2006-09-08 05:07:20 · answer #7 · answered by smurfette 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i really don't understand why your mom is completely against having a vegetable tray at a wedding???? i'm missing something here. in my oh so humble opinion i like your first idea - the finger sandwiches, vegie tray, fruit/cheese tray, and cake. i think it's charming. i think the cake and punch only reception seems a little tacky or cheap.
is there a possiblity that one of your friends/relatives/guests (or a group of them) might cater your reception as a wedding gift??
2006-09-08 03:40:27 · answer #8 · answered by BG 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do what you want. Even though your parents are helping you out it still is YOUR wedding. And you are not going to want to think back at what you should have done. My parents payed for the entire thing but I did what I wanted. Skip the veggie tray and have some really cool looking finger sandwiches. Veggie tray is a little bit cheesy!
2006-09-08 09:12:57 · answer #9 · answered by michiganwife 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think that it's your wedding, and finger sandwiches and a vegetable tray sound fine. Your mom can serve tea as well if she wants?
i typically don't eat before a wedding, so i'm sure guests will be disappointed if there is nothing but cake and punch.
2006-09-08 03:37:48 · answer #10 · answered by frida_pie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but your ideas are not very elegant - I agree with mom. This sounds like an open house, not a wedding reception for grown ups. If you are set on having something like this (snack bar), you need to class it up. Do a roasted vegetable platter with roasted eggplant, asparagus, grilled tomatoes, etc. No $10 costco celery and carrot tray. Gross.
For fruit & cheese, it needs to be artisan cheeses on a lovely platter. Mt. Tam, Humboldt Fog, Camembert, etc. The fruit can be figs and dates with maybe some walnut in a separate bowl (allergies). Be sure to have water crackers and possibly sliced baguettes at this station as well.
Finger sandwiches aren't for me. I'd do a skewer of Mozzarella balls, sundried tomatoes, and maybe grilled or roasted red pepper.
And of course, plenty of free flowing champagne.
Will it be more expensive? Sure. But will your guests enjoy it more and not think of you as cheap? Absolutely. Remember, despite what some of the mistakes answerers have said, your reception is not all about you, it's about celebrating your marriage, your friends, and your family. : )
Just cake & punch? Not for me. If you can't afford to do more for people who took time out of their lives to attend your wedding, then you need to invite less people. It may be hard to scale your guest list down, but you have to remember that your guests are just that, guests and you have to treat them as such.
Good luck in your planning! : )
2006-09-08 12:41:51 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋