Dessert Only Reception (also no Dancing) = tacky?

Question

My sister wants a dessert only reception (for financial reasons), in the evening, but without dancing (the families her and her man are inviting aren't the "dancing type". A friend of mine thought it was tacky to have a dessert only reception, especially if there was no dancing. What do y'all think?

She was thinking the wedding at 7 pm and the reception right after (they are at the same site I guess) so 7:30 or 8:00.

Answer 1

Because we are talking about financial concerns, of course it's okay.
What I would do is talk to the guests and tell them. Everyone that cares will understand. And all of the husbands are going to say, "Thank you!"
(Sorry, but I always hear most of the guys saying that they'd rather cut off their leg than have to get up and look stupid in front of the women.)
It also means the bride and groom can sneak off easier.

Answer 2

I don't think it's tacky at all!
In fact, I am having a REALLY late evening wedding and dessert/cocktail reception. (I'm calling it a moonilit wedding with only candle light and white "mini" lights under a rather large tent.)
I decided to go this route for many reasons~financial being the biggest. My problem is that I absolutely hate going to weddings and watching a crowd of people wait impatiently through a ceremony only to rush off to the food tables as soon as the reception hall doors are opened! Then, as soon as they feel they've been given the clearance to leave (meaning, that the cake has been cut) they practically all run out the door, leaving behind the only people that came for the right reasons! So, dessert reception is the smartest way to go! Tacky? Nah. Intelligent decision? Yes!

As far as dancing-no, that's not tacky either. If the guests don't like to dance, why waste the money? I would, however, suggest having a small portable radio tucked away somewhere out of sight to play some classical "mood music." One or two CD's from WalMart should last long enough. It might be a little uncomforatable with too much silence-especially when the guests haven't met or don't know the "new" family members.

Well, in any event-I threw in my two cents! Hopefully this gives you some reassurance and maybe even a little ammo to use in your sisters defense with your friend that says it's tacky. Your sister and soon-to-be-brother-in-law's financial situation along with your feelings toward the two of them should outweigh your friend's "tacky" comment! Not to worry-deep down, you know it's not tacky-and so does anyone else that will attend the wedding for the right reasons!

Answer 3

I'm from the south and at many of the receptions here (especially those that are still at a Baptist church) there is NO dancing. It is not an uncommon thing for us. As far as the dessert only... that is her call. If that is all she wants to do, that should be fine with the guests. If people would spend more time thinking about the importance of the moment and less on what the bride and groom are going to feed them, weddings and there receptions would be a whole lot easier and romantic for everyone. Isn't that what a wedding is about anyway... the romance and love shared by two individuals that are promising a lifetime of love and companionship to one another? We didn't have a lot of food at our reception either. Most everyone was eating the cakes and cookies. We threw away a lot of finger food. Anyways, hope this helps. Tell your sister congrats for me.

Answer 4

Well, I can tell you that if she has no dancing and music at an evening wedding reception, the guests will be leaving very early, so she better have second thoughts about her decision. That decision is penny wise and pound foolish. This is an evening wedding reception and there should be some food. If she only wants to serve dessert, then she should have an afternoon wedding reception about 2:00 to 5:00 PM so people will not expect to be fed..Why is she so cheap? What she should do is have finger sandwiches, cheeses, fruit bowl and dessert with coffee and tea. Also wine and soda. Telll your sister that she is on the wrong track, people will be talking about how cheap the wedding was after the wedding and she won't get much in the way of wedding gifts with a dessert evening reception.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with a reception that has only dessert. Just as it isnt tacky to have a cocktail reception only reception. It cuts the time needed for room use in half and you save money. If you are inviting a bunch of guests who wont dance, it would be a huge waste of money to try and hire a DJ just so 3 or 4 people can dance....

Answer 6

I dont think it's tacky, as long as it's not going to be a dinner time reception where people may expect dinner. Some small finger foods may be nice though, just some veggies or fruit displays. As far as dancing, I've never been to a wedding with dancing at the reception. Mine is going to be the first in our family to have dancing.

Answer 7

I don't think it's tacky, but it's somewhat very informal. If you plan on having the reception in the evening, make sure you guests know that it is only a dessert reception and no dinner will be served. Honestly, it' a nice though to save money, but I don't think it'll go over big with your guests. They might be a little bored after the cake and toasts. I say at least have dancing; people might surprise you and actually dance.

Answer 8

i think your friend should mind her business and i think it is wonderful that you are so supportive of your sister's choice.
evening weddings lend themselves very well to a dessert only function. people will have had dinner prior to attending the wedding and will be ready for dessert by the time the wedding is over and the reception starts. don't listen to anyone telling you any different.
morning weddings require a brunch style reception of some sort, afternoon weddings require a high tea style reception and evening weddings are desserts..............really, who doesn't love dessert? she can have a huge variety of tarts, squares, bars, cookies, cakes, biscotti, fresh fruit, flans, so many choices! chocolate fountains, that type of thing. and she can serve it all with a variety of coffees! teas! and juice and pop of course!
she can have wine for the toast, or a sparkling water~either would be fine.
more and more wedding receptions are turning into evening cocktail parties, [no dancing], or coffee and dessert style receptions.
people are turning away from the big dinner and liquor filled, dance party style receptions of yesteryear.
your sister's idea for her reception is becoming a staple in the reception world.
you can have very soft music playing in the background, for the ambience, and people will circulate and chat and have a good time~!
tell your sister to go for it! all that matters is that she and her man get married and enjoy life!
best wishes.

Answer 9

So long as the invitation makes it clear that "you are invited to join us for dessert" instead of a full reception so people don't arrive hungry, I think it is perfectly fine and have considered it myself. Try to make it happen after the usual lunch or dinner time so people have time to get something substantial.
If the people don't want to dance, then for the love of heaven, don't make them dance! I have heard of DJs hasseling poor guests into doing the chicken dance; no good host wants that. I would encourage having at least a boombox playing some instrumental classical music for background noise. My sister wanted us to rent a dance floor for my wedding, but those that wanted to dance just danced on carpet (all ten people who like dancing) and everything went fine. If a person really wants to dance, nothing will stop them!

Answer 10

It's her wedding and it is about what she wants not what everyone else wants. No Dancing does seem that it might slow things down some, but hey if the people in the family are good talkers, just have her think about all the family get togethers where people just mingle without dancing.

Just out of curiosity, would she consider doing a pot luck where everyone brings a dish. We did this for our wedding and it saved us so much money because everyone brought their own dish, and everything was so delicious. That way she won't have to spend any money she doesn't have. Everyone, including the guests thought it was an awesome idea, and they said they wished they would have though of it for their own wedding

Answer 11

For starters, end listening to your mom. no longer in user-friendly terms is she partly incorrect, she's manipulative if she says she'll stay away from a brunch reception. it particularly is all particularly user-friendly, because of the fact your menu could be suited to the time of day. . in case you have a midafternoon wedding ceremony reception and serve cakes in user-friendly terms, there is definitely no longer something cheesy approximately this. in case you have a brunch, you are able to actual shop it dessert heavy, yet you will upload a minimum of a few issues that make it extra "brunchy", like possibly some quiche and a few veggie platters. the place your mom could be partly superb suited is dinner receptions. that is not okay to serve dessert in user-friendly terms, and warning human beings on the invite is even worse. you'll be able to desire to serve dinner or some style of equivalent. Given each and all of the cakes you suggested, I doubt it may be that relatively extra costly, whether that is impolite to ask human beings out for a evening and not supply the food they anticipate. It seems such as you're throwing a occasion you would be unable to have adequate money.