Dessert Reception?

Question

If you've never heard of this before, it's a reception where the only meal served is dessert. It's considered socially acceptable as long as it isn't during a standard meal time.

Our wedding ceremony will be at 6 in the evening, and there will be half an hour between the ceremony's end (around 6:45-7) and the beginning of the reception. We figure this is a little late to serve a full dinner.

The reception will be formal, we'll be serving wedding cake, cheesecake, and sorbet. There will be dancing, it will have assigned seating. We haven't decided on what alcohol we'll serve, but we'll have a hot cocoa and cider bar. (It will be December)

Would you attend this kind of event? Any suggestions for letting people know we won't be serving dinner? Any other thoughts or ideas? Thanks!

And the ceremony is so late because it's being held at a museum. The museum itself is open until 5, and we need time to decorate and set up.

Answer 1

I think that is a fabulous idea, bonus points to you for not having to hire a caterer! I would attend, and that is a very smart idea. You might also want to have like some wafer cookies to go with the sorbet for people who don't care too much for rich deserts. Just make sure that people are aware if this when you invite them so they are not expecting a huge meal. Coffee will be needed and I would just serve champagne and wine, since those tend to be a little less heavy. But all in all good idea!

Answer 2

First of all it's not too late to serve a meal at that time. But if it's budgetary reasons or just your preference to do dessert only, you do need to make it clear on the invitation. People will still expect a meal if you don't.

I would reconsider the assigned seating for your reception, though. It might seem strange to tell people where to sit to eat their cake for 10-15 minutes. It's different with a dinner, people are seated for a long time, you want to be sure that people who know each other are together. It might be cute if you kept to smaller tables too, maybe to seat 4-6 max to reduce the formal feel, this is often done with cocktail receptions, too.You should still have a head table though- that goes without saying.

One more idea- depending on what you can afford- instead of the passed appetizers that you would see at a dinner reception, consider having someone pass around serving trays of chocolates, petit fours and/or other interesting bite-sized sweets as an "opener". This will get people into the mood of a sweets only party and would be a nice touch.

Answer 3

I wouldn't recommend it. I have done a lot of weddings and I have never heard of this type of reception. 6pm isn't considered late, either. What do you mean about a formal reception? People will be sitting at tables for service on cheesecake? Most people don't eat wedding cake, it's taken home as a souvenir.
I would just make it a cocktail/h'orderves reception. You can have tables so people can sit, but you won't need a lot. Have could have stationary food and have hot and cold h'orderves being passed.
If you are on a tight budget and wantt to make your wedding a formal winter wedding, then you need to focus on that. Since it is an evening wedding, cocktails and h'orderves are a great idea. Your servers can wear tux pants, with white shirts, bowties and a vest or jacket. Make your decorations a winter theme , maybe make it look like a winter wonderland or ice skating at night or a winter carnivale. You could have a martini bar and have the drinks chilled with an ice sculpture. You could still do the hot coca and cider bar with roasted chestnuts to go with your outdoor theme. You can still do all your dessert choices if you wish at a dessert table.
Most people who attend a wedding, want to be feed, but if you put on your invitations that your are passing h'orderves, people will understand.
Good-luck!

Answer 4

I love the idea of a dessert reception, BUT I think it would only be appropriate in the afternoon. Honestly 6-7 is normal dinner time people are going to be hungry. Your ceremony will be at 6, that is asking people to eat their dinner by 5 oclock (considering getting ready, travel and getting settled at the ceremony). Your ceremony ends then your reception including dancing will be at 7, dessert isnt going to cut it. You should have something more substantial, especially if you are having drinking because if people dont eat then drink they are going to get ripped first and sick second.

Also, why would you have assigned seating for something like this?Assigned seating is for meals, there will be no meal at the reception.

I would go because its your wedding, but your reception would baffle me.

BTW:Dessert Reception means dessert only, I wouldnt be confused that there would be no meal served if I read that. But if you are nervous, get the word out, your MIL would probably be best at spreading the eat before you come info.

Answer 5

I think its a great idea and I would attend an event like that. You could word your invitation to let people know that it will be a dessert reception so they can eat dinner beforehand. Just specify on the invitation something like:
"Dessert reception to follow"
"Cocktail reception immediately following"
"Join us for cake & cocktails after the ceremony"

However, if you WANT to have a full dinner reception, I don't think 7:00 is too late for that at all. People will take note of the timing, and plan accordingly.

Alternatively, you could provide hors d'oeuvres & cocktails.

Answer 6

I think it's a good idea but do not assign seating for it. Usually assigned seating is for making it easier for the caterers to serve a meal and for a head count. Maybe think about serving some appetizers first though because people will definitely be hungary by then. Think about it, if your ceremony is at 6pm then your guests will have to eat their own dinner, get dressed and get to the museum before 6pm which is dinner time.

Answer 7

I don't think it's appropiate. 6:00-7:00 is dinner time. I can bet your guest will be expecting dinner. Think about it, between getting dressed and the travel your guest will have to start getting ready at 4pm. So they prob won't have time to eat dinner. Then your going to be serving alcohol, on an empty stomach???? not a good idea. Honestly I wouldn't attend this type of event unless I absolutely had no choice. At least add a cocktail hour, give the poeple some type of Hourdorv's.

Answer 8

My daughter just got married January 6th. They did not want alcohol at their wedding. After the meal we had a dessert and coffee bar. 4-5 different kinds of coffees and 6-7 different desserts. It was wonderful. Had lots of compliments.

Answer 9

This is very simular to what I am doing, but I am doing it between mealtimes (the ceremony is at two). Perhaps you should put "Desert Reception to follow" at the end of your invitation so your guests don't expect a full meal. Simular events have been a big hit in my area.

Answer 10

I think its ok as long as you let your guests know that it is a dessert only reception. Maybe consider serving "cocktail hour" food first then dessert. hahaah I can't think of how to spell the word i want.