Coffee house wedding reception ideas?

Question

My fiance and I are planning an evening wedding with a coffee and desserts reception to follow. We are having a cheesecake wedding cake and a chocolate fountain. We want to have a self-serve coffee bar area where people can choose between international coffees and teas.

Any ideas or suggestions to contribute? Ideas for fun desserts to go along with our theme? Ideas for themed favours or decorations? I am curious to know if anyone else has done this before? And if so, how did it turn out?

Answers to some of your questions...

1) No, we don't expect everyone to drink tea and coffee. We'll also be having barrels (filled with ice) of coke, diet coke, bottled water and juices for the kids.

2) There will be a few small chocolate fountains scattered through out the room so people won't be crowded in one area.

3) And yes, we do plan on having entertainment - coffee house style with a small corner of the place as the stage. We have a friend who's an amazing musician (sings/plays guitar) play towards the end of the evening.

4) The building is small and intimate - seats 75 or 100 standing/mingling. The floor is stone and the rest is woodwork so it will have the rustic coffee house feel to it. There is a kitchen, though we are trying to keep our dessert ideas simple.

Anyone else ever try a coffee and desserts reception? How did it turn out?

The biscotti idea is great...I can't believe I overlooked that idea myself!

Answer 1

Someone was just on here the other day asking how to get the smell out of the coffee beans as they were being used as a filler for a centerpiece with flowers. That was a very pretty idea. Also there are italian coffee "biscuits" called Biscotti that are harder flavored and often chocolate dipped and go really well with coffee.

As for decorations I would maybe decorate bistro style. With the tables set up to seat a couple or 2, 4 people at most. Keep it simple. It would be fantastic if you could have an outdoor venue .

Or maybe go with a victorian tea setting. Lots of lace and full "fluffy" roses. I would use fans decorated with flowers and lace for centerpieces or the "granny"boots filled with flowers. As favors maybe put small fans and matchboxes next to each place setting

Answer 2

Something that would probably be cute to do would be to get some large coffee cups, nice ones (maybe silver) fill it up with coffee beans and use those as candle holders. The coffee beans would hold the candles in place, and if you didn't want to use real candles, you could use battery operated ones. Different types of syrups and creamers would be a great addition to the coffees and teas. It sounds like a very cute and warm reception. I wish you all the best of luck and hope everything goes well.

Answer 3

This could be a very cool (but casual) reception. It may work well if the majority of your guests are in their 20's and trendy.

Children and older adults may not find this kind of reception so enjoyable.

Also make sure no one has any special diets and/or food allergies beforehand. They may not be able to eat any of the food you have, and it sounds like there will be no real kitchen or chef to make them anything else.

For music, you can set up a guitar player in the corner, coffeehouse style. You could also consider hiring a live stand-up comic (make sure his routine is "clean") for after you eat or during.

You can give people fancy mugs filled with coffee beans (or just the bag of premium beans tied with a ribbon) for take home gifts.

Coasters will your picture on them could also be cool.

This could go either way. Very cool and different, or a poor choice. It really depends on who you are inviting.

Answer 4

first of all congrats on your upcoming wedding!
and congrats on your wedding reception venue. it sounds really great and in our end of the world it is becoming a very trendy style suited to all age groups.
i am impressed with the beverage choices, sometimes people are so concerned about the alcohol refreshments they forget the kids and adults who dont 'drink' are often left with nothing but tea or coffee. you have a great selection of drinks.
as for guests with allergies or diet concerns the beauty of an evening coffee/dessert reception is your guests will have already had their dinner, thus taking care of any health issues they may have that are associated to food.
so.............ideas from weddings we have attended:
'candy bar' a table set up with a wide assortment of candies and chocolates, ranging from lollipops to fine chocolate.
'sundae bar' a table set up with ice cream and all the toppings so people can make their own sundaes.
you may also want to have a table with assorted desserts other than cheese cake. various squares, bars, cookies, tarts, and yes, that age-old standby...........jello........some people do really like it!
you have probably thought of everything, but what about a good selection of biscotti? lots of it! you seem to be serving a wondrous selection of coffees and biscotti would be a natural addition. this would fit extremely well in your coffeehouse scheme! and i don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy biscotti.
i hope your wedding turns out perfect and your reception is a great hit! wishing you a long and happy life together!

Answer 5

u can order those pretty icing decorated mini cupcakes as take home gifts for ur guest to thank them for coming as well as a sweet reminder of a nice dessert wedding reception they had. people will rem it for a long time.

And as the fountain often gets crowded with people, try to have it in a centralised place so that people can stand round it. (some times people place it against the wall and this restrict the other side of the fountain). Have the fruits half frozen as well since it taste nicer when the choc hardens on the half chilled fruit.

Answer 6

My advice is to go to a good local coffee shop, a higher end one, and see what they're serving to go with coffee and tea. Then consider serving that. The reason being that local preferences are shown by what's carried in those coffee shops, and if your friends are local, chances are they'll be into it.

Here where I live it's donuts that go with coffee, or bagels, so either one would be good for my area, as people are likely to enjoy both.

Also a good coffee place might also cater the occasion, which would save time and hassle for you. They could brew it and serve it, you might even be able to get a deal by letting them advertise a little(like with mugs with their logo on it) or business cards by the counter.

Good Luck, and remember to do what's right for you, it's your day.

Answer 7

I like Ashley's ideas. My only other suggestions would be to have it at someones' apartment or house, or at a park. I am of course assuming that since it was canceled last minute your friend all ready has family and friends, who may have traveled a bit, coming to the reception. I sorry your in such a difficult position. Best of luck to you, and to your friend!

Answer 8

What about serving biscotti to dip in the coffee and chocolate fountain? Make sure you have plenty of ice water in pitchers around as well. Some people make not like coffee or tea, and even so, it might be nice to have a cold beverage around.

Answer 9

My daughter had a dessert/coffee bar at her wedding. We had someone hired out for the coffees ( had 5-6 types) and we had small servings of cheesecakes, fudges, pies, cookies and the wedding cake. It was a huge success and we had lots of compliments..

Answer 10

I hate coffee and tea and some of your guests might as well....I would say make sure you have other options for guests whomay not like coffee or tea As far as other desserts...maybe chocolate mousse, chocolate truffles, or maybe even home made cookies.


For favors..maybe to the ones who do enjoy the coffee you can have some of the coffee beans in a pouch to give them when they decide which one they like