If I opt not to have a dinner, what can I do instead? I'm planning late afternoon- early evening ceremony. I was thinking of breaking after for the dinner but now I am concerned about time. WOuld it be acceptable to go from ceremony to pictures to reception without a dinner? What should I serve at the reception to make up for guests missing out on dinner? the hours are tricky, will people be starving?
2007-03-09 14:57:51 · 8 answers · asked by kerri c 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If you schedule your wedding right after say lunch time, the guests shouldnt be tto hungry. Then you can just serve cake and punch.
However, I would say you can just call it a cocktail reception (specifying it on the invite of course). That way the guests will not be expecting a full blown meal. At the reception have trays of hor dourves either passed around r set up at a table that is centrally located for those guests who will be grazing. Having it like that saves tons of money. Finger sandwiches, fruit trays, cheese and meat trays are big hits as well as a candy bar....
2007-03-09 15:41:31 · answer #1 · answered by glorymomof3 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People have receptions without dinner all the time. Have the reception earlier in the afternoon and just serve desserts. Or move both the ceremony and reception to a later time and serve just desserts then.
There are many people who will tell you that you can't have a reception unless it has a full dinner and that it is simply not acceptable by any means to skip it. That is not true. Figure out what works best for you and go from there. Also ask your family since they will have their own expectations and they'll be able to tell you if what you chose is acceptable to them.
But if your reception is during the dinner hour, you should have some kind of substantial food. It doesn't have to be a full dinner. There are many heavy appetizers from Costco, etc in the frozen section that are just as filling as any dinner.
2007-03-09 23:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you're not going to have a dinner or a meal of any sort, you should make it known so that guests that think they'll be hungry can stop for burgers or something before the reception while you do the pictures.
The other suggestions for what to serve are great!
Just thought I'd add that because I went to a wedding and didn't realise that the meal wasn't going to be a meal at all and I was starving and could barely wait for the appropriate time to leave so I could go eat!
2007-03-09 23:24:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your reception is late afternoon you should have a dinner. There are ways to cut the costs. My daughter had an early evening reception of which we had a simple buffet. We served Swedish Meatballs, Chicken Wings, Fruit Salad, Rice, & Cloverleaf Rolls. It was a light buffett, and light on our pocketbooks. We had NO complaints! There was plenty of food to feed 150 people and the food was delicious. It was catered. You can get plans with special prices at several wedding catering services. Check your local community for catering services. Believe it or not, check your local churches; many know private people who do it for a business.
Good luck. Depending when you're getting married, your menu should apply with the season. My daughter was married in May, there was ample fruit during that season and reasonably priced.
2007-03-09 23:17:43 · answer #4 · answered by pattycakes 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have a buffet. It is much less expensive than a sit down dinner. You can have a salad station with all kinds of salads like chicken, tuns, macaroni, etc. You can have a dessert station with the wedding cake, some brownies, cookies, etc. Also have fresh fruit and some punch, coffee and tea. That is plenty for an afternoon wedding.
2007-03-09 23:34:50 · answer #5 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your reception is going to take place during dinnertime, people are going to expect dinner. You could have your ceremony earlier and have brunch or just hor d'oeuvres, or you could cut down on the cost of a dinner by having it buffet-style.
2007-03-09 23:02:47 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would just host a cocktail reception. Have hordourves (sp???) and drinks. Then have some dancing and your cake. Make sure your invitations indicate that it will be a "Cocktail Reception" so they know you won't be serving them a full meal.
2007-03-09 23:02:20 · answer #7 · answered by Level Headed, I hope 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You definitly need food! How about just a cocktail reception... .Drinks... Hors D'Oueveurs...Desert
2007-03-09 23:06:11 · answer #8 · answered by NoTurningBackNow 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋