We are having a destination wedding with just family. About a month later, we'll have a reception back home for everyone else. Because of cost, I was wondering if anyone had ideas other than doing a full dinner.
I was thinking cocktail "hour" with h'dourves...but how long should it be if there is no dinner? As far as alcohol goes-is it okay if we just have wine/champagne and maybe keg beer? Or should we really have liquor?
I've also heard of a cake & champagne reception. Any other ideas?
2006-09-17 17:28:29 · 14 answers · asked by abbya11111 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
You can totally go without the liquor, if it is out of your budget. If you serve wine and beer, or a lightly alcoholic punch and beer, I guarantee you no one will miss the liquor. If you're not serving a meal, all the MORE reason to not serve hard alcohol.
To get your etiquette right, you MUST schedule a non-meal reception for a non-meal time of day, and also indicate on the invitation something like "light refreshments" or "canapes and cake" or cake and punch party, or whatever.
Cake and champange is very elegant, but be aware that real champagne is expensive. Cookies and punch is nice, cookies and cocoa (in winter), wine and cheese party, coffee and donuts... all these would be fine. I would not say "cocktail party" if you don't actually serve cocktails. It might surprise you that you can often serve a simple luncheon for the same cost as hors d'oevures, because assembled hors d'oevures are very time consuming for a caterer to make. So consider that too.
One big mistake that too many people make when having one of these delayed receptions is that they indicate info about the ceremony in the invitations to the people not invited to the ceremony ("We are getting married June 1st, and you're invited to a reception on July 1st.."). That is VERY bad etiquette. It is RUDE to tell people the details of an upcoming event they are not invited to.
It is best to send your reception invitations out immediately after the ceremony has taken place, saying something like:
The pleasure of your company
is requested at a dessert reception
to celebrate the recent marriage of
Jean Marie Smith
and
Michael Sullivan
(reception's date time place etc)
2006-09-17 18:47:18 · answer #1 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With a cocktail hour people will expect more alcohol and the party has the chance of extended into something more than you want. I like the brunch idea with just finger foods and champagne. I wouldn't even have the beer or wine. Have coffees, teas and juices. Have little quiches and mini bakery items. Limit it to about 3 hours say 11-2. That way, you can mingle the two hours then have someone start toasts and have a designated person (possibly the groom) say the last toast and thank yous ending the party gracefully.
2006-09-17 17:50:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't a requirement to provide a full meal at a reception. I think your idea of cocktails and hor d'eouvres is an excellent and economical idea. I would go for 2 - 3 hours with the snacks, wine and beer.
2006-09-17 17:37:01 · answer #3 · answered by jack w 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Tea & Cake" receptions are not gone, just less common :)
The only things to REALLY concern yourself with if you wish to not have to serve a meal is the time of day. Dont plan your reception for a mealtime. Receptions run about 4 hrs (average) so 1 - 5 would be a good time for a "Tea & Cake" reception. That time range should also help to limit the alcohol for you, people dont tend to drink as much earlier in the day.
Serving drinks is ok, but I wouldnt recommend serving anything heavy when not serving substantial food (drinks go to the head faster with nothing to slow them down) you dont want a bunch of people falling over each other because they didnt think about the lack of food in their tummies.
Good luck.
2006-09-17 23:29:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much it is your wedding and can plan it the way you see fit.
What I am doing is having my brother, who is a Chef, cook breaksfast for everyone (well, he is main cooker but I thought be fun for everyone to do some cooking and kind of pass on their "idea's"s to my soon to be husband and I). Then get married later that day and then attending a luau (getting married in Hawaii) as our dinner.
Orginally were were going to do a California Beach wedding (since the ocean is just a few hours from me) and we were going to have Cake/Champagne with light finger food reception at the beach house.
If you and your husband desire some liquire, I don't see why not. It is your wedding and I imagine the guest will be respectful of your choices.
What you can do is ask your family their "perferance" since after all, they will be the ones attending, not us.
2006-09-17 19:54:27 · answer #5 · answered by Mutchkin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been to appetizer only weddings and they are great! I think most people would rather have appetizers than desserts. Dessert buffets are fun, but I'd rather eat cheese and eggrolls and miniquiche! I've been to one brunch wedding and the bride said it was much cheaper. Plus people will naturally drink less. Also, you could have a much more casual type reception. Like a pig roast. As long as people know what to expect, you can have any type of party you want!
Many many weddings have no liquor. Beer and wine is fine!
2006-09-17 17:34:35 · answer #6 · answered by Katherine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at a banquet facility and it seems like the h'dourves go over better than the meal anyway. I think it would be a great idea and save you a lot of money to have just h'dourves and beer and wine. I would also include ingredients to make a few popular mixed drinks too like rum and coke and vodka and oj for those who don't drink beer and wine and soda for those who don't drink at all.
2006-09-17 18:22:23 · answer #7 · answered by skip_2015 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, its fine to have wine/champagne and beer for alcohol.....but remember, when people drink, they need something in their stomachs (food-wise) or you'll end up with a bunch of people that are drunk.
How about little finger sandwiches, some chips, snack mix, just munchy stuff?
2006-09-18 00:38:10 · answer #8 · answered by bluez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been to a "high tea" wedding reception, which was really well done, lots of elegant sandwiches, scones, pancakes with clotted cream, fruit tartlets, cakes etc, it was really sweet. Think about the sort of tea they serve at the Ritz Hotel and copy that, good luck and best wishes for the day.
2006-09-18 00:17:52 · answer #9 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should make it as long as you like. Some easy and filling idea's are little smoke's, Minnie taco's, tortilla sandwiches, ( instead of finger sandwiches) just take a flour tortilla lay it out put mayo, (or cream cheese) lunch meat cheese, roll up and cut into pieces they taste great and make more than bread. cheese, sausage, and crackers, there are a lot of great snack foods that fill too, and lets not forget about the cake way filling. I think you would be surprised just how much people just want to be with you at your happiest moment. :) good luck
2006-09-17 17:43:05 · answer #10 · answered by hollie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋