Should I serve food at the wedding reception and if so what kind, if not why?

Question

The wedding is June 30th at 6:00 pm. that is the time when most people are getting ready to eat. so do i feed them a meal or finger foods to tide them over till they eat supper. i know we are having mints, nuts, and of course the wedding cake but the food like i said i am not sure about what to do PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

I think you can reasonably do both in fancy ways without spending too much money. If you're going to do a sit-down dinner, I would focus on the actual meal instead of things like appetizers and soups and make one really nice meal. This way you're not spending a ton of money on stuff you don't really need and will likely end up throwing out anyway. If you're going to do hors d'oeurves, serve them on classy trays with champagne. Instant class and you won't break your budget. I would indicate on my invitations which you plan to do. This way your guests won't come expecting a sit-down meal if you're just serving hors d'oeurves. Just remember that your guests love you and are happy for you and what you serve at the meal time shouldn't be the biggest focus of your day.

Congrats on your wedding!

Answer 2

There were a lot of answers so I didn't look at all of them and don't know if this answer has already been submitted to you. My best friend got married last July. She had an amazingly beautiful wedding reception with a buffet style for the food, the only difference was that she set it as a pot luck reception. She only had 50 guests but had everyone bring one thing. Every one was more than happy to do so and there was more than enough food, and it didn't cost her anything. Weddings cost a lot of money and sometimes you need help, luckily she had friends and family that understood that and did not mind helping her. I don't know if this helps you but congratulations!


ALSO...updated lol... I just went to this other site and happened to stumble across what looks like something one of your guests might write lol take a look:

"RE: Wedding Reception Food Ideas
Post By Recent Wedding Guest (Guest Post) (02/26/2007)
I recently attended a wedding in which no dinner was served. This caught most guests by surprise since it was still within the "dinner hour" time, at 8pm. Many guests had traveled long distances and spent money to get there. By the time I get an expensive plane flight, two nights at a hotel, miscellaneous travel expenses, a day off of work, and a gift, I have spent nearly $1000 on the happy couple. I think it is rude for the bride to not serve a meal. If you need to save money, save it in other areas: invite fewer guests, cut back on alcohol, skip the dj. The wedding is NOT all about the bride. Comfort of guests should be high on your priority list.

Many people here offered some nice cost-saving suggestions.

If you don't want to serve a meal, have a 2pm reception. If you want an evening reception, serve a meal."

Answer 3

Because of the time of day, I say that YES, you DO need to feed them something a little more substantial than mixed nuts and wedding cake. It's always nice to have something available for your guests. They have taken time out of their lives to share yours. Having some appetizers at least shows them that you didn't invite them just for the presents!

You especially need food if you are serving alcohol.

WHAT to feed them is a different animal. Is the ceremony indoors or out? Is there a theme to your wedding?

If you are having an outdoor wedding and have outdoor reception space available, you can have a luau/Hawaiian barbecue or a picnic. If you are getting married in a church and are having the reception in the fellowship hall, ask a couple of family members to pitch in and make something. If you have the money to spend on a caterer, but don't want to spend too much money, choose a buffet dinner. The cost per person is usually cheaper than serving hors d'oeuvre (depending on what you choose, of course).

Another option is to look at restaurants. Many restaurants have party rooms available to host private events. If you want a restaurant-style dinner, you may have to select three or four entree options, but your guests can chose the meal they prefer. Buffet dinners are always super easy on you and on the restaurant staff, but don't have the same touch as a plated, sit-down dinner.

Whatever you decide, good luck with the planning. Best wishes on your marriage!

Answer 4

Dinner would be expected at this time of the day. Roasted chicken & assorted vegetables is a simple, yet elegant dinner. If cost isn't an obect, you can serve a seafood dinner, which has been done at several receptions that I have attended, & is always a hit. If you can't decide on any single entree (or afraid that all your guests might not like the same meals), you might consider a catered buffet. Some people tend to think a buffet is tacky, however when the items are prepared correctly & are aesthetically pleasing, buffets can be quite nice.

Answer 5

I concur with the other poster. Indicate on your invitations that appetizers and wedding cake to follow ceremony unless you can afford a sit down meal (and have a hall or restaurant to do it). Since your wedding is on Saturday, it's not like people can't have an earlier dinner. Most of the receptions I've attended recently, the family and friends made all the food, but then again, the number of guests was less than 75.

Answer 6

Given the time of the reception, one would assume that dinner will be served. If you are on a tight budget maybe serve your and your new hubby's favorite childhood foods. If you have room in the budget you can do something more elaborate. Salads, main courses (chicken, fish, beef or pasta) with some sides (rice, veggies, potatoes). Ask the place where you are doing the reception they probably have a caterer that they work with. You need to make decisions soon, also be sure to do a tasting so that you know your guests are getting quality food and you are not wasting your money

Answer 7

6:00 pm IS the dinner hour. Since you've scheduled your wedding for when people are hungry, you should have some kind of substantial food. If not a sit-down dinner or substantial buffet, then certainly substantial hors d'ouvres as your budget allows.

Yes, this may mean fewer guests. But to be sure, something more than nuts and cake is in order.

It doesn't have to be expensive. Shop your local Sam's or Costco for whatever they have - little canapes etc. Cut fruit and cut veggies with sweet and savory dips are good. As can be chicken wing-ettes, little kabobs, a whole smoked salmon and sour cream mixed with dill served with wassa bread.

Speak with a good caterer. Be painfully honest with your budget and stick to it. If you can only do $5/person then so be it. But a good creative caterer is worth every penny.

Answer 8

Its all according to your budget darling. You can have a 5 course meal, buffet, or just a cocktail reception. You first need to figure out how many ppl you will have and then go from there. You can serve anything you like, its your wedding and your money. Choose a theme if you like and have mexican food or italian food.

Answer 9

It really depends on the type of wedding you are having. A formal, indoor, evening wedding is much different than an outdoor theme wedding. For a wedding at 6 pm you do need to provide dinner.

Here are some suggestions for either case:
Mostaccioli (tubular pasta with ridges) in red sauce (Great Midwestern wedding tradition)
A ready made salad (i.e. potato salad, pasta salad, Cole slaw, etc)
A basic meat, it can be anything from BBQ (for a park wedding) to Lemon Pepper Chicken (for a formal wedding).
Vegetable trays and Fruit trays can complement most wedding types.

You can expect to spend $250 on food even on an informal park wedding.
I’ve helped throw together weddings with little money and with little time to prepare. If it is a very casual family type wedding, and you really need to save money, go with a pot luck dinner.

Answer 10

Do what your budget will allow. Usually a 6pm wedding would mean some kind of food. However, if you can't afford a sit-down dinner or a buffet, you can do hors d'oeuvres and cake.

Some people would assume a meal at this time, so if you decide to go with hors d'oeuvres you could word your reception card:

Hors d'oeuvres and cake immediately following ceremony.

or something similar.