Is it bad to not serve a sit down dinner at a wedding?

Question

We are working on a very limited budget where the food is the most expensive item. I am thinking of only offering deli meat sandwhiches and some finger foods. We're not having a "traditional" wedding or reception. We're treating it as more of a party than a traditional reception. We will have alcohol, ice cream sundaes instead of cake, a dj and dancing, but we're steering away from your normal wedding traditions outside of a first dance and a wedding party. Would this be bad ettiquiette?

Answer 1

as long as this party is not around meal time, then it should be fine. having it between 2-4 pm is a good time frame. :) it is your party, you serve and do what you want to. i would have several choices for finger foods as there are picky people out there.

Answer 2

Sounds like you are having a tea or dessert and champagne reception, instead of a dinner or buffet reception. Nothing wrong with that at all so long as the food choices are appropriate to the time frame. If it's three hours or less from the start of the ceremony to the "last dance", then you can skip the sandwich platters. But if you keep your guests for four hours or more, you are expected to feed them a "real meal" -- a substantial platter of cheeses, meats, breads, counts as a "real meal" in my book. And the ice cream idea sounds wonderful. Congrats & best wishes.

Answer 3

I worked in the restaurant industry for 4 years, and was a waitress in college. I learned a lot about the business and one thing was I thought alcohol was more money than food. Maybe things have changed but a personal preference for me is having my food served. I love the experience of being catered to and I think that's why people go out to dinner. First off, bulk saves money. You can have wine and beer instead of a full bar and have waiters serving things, filling guests glass, attending the needs to guests. People usually need direction when they enter a place that's unfamiliar so having a waitstaff would be nicer than a full bar. I'm all about ambiance, mood and it wouldn't matter to me that it was deli meat, appetizers it's all presentation.

Edit: This doesn't mean sit down dinner at all, it just means someone to attend for people's needs. Serving a drink, getting napkins, cleaning up between appetizers and sandwiches. And I agree with the post below about the ice cream sundaes. So much fun!!

Answer 4

It's not bad ettiquite. As long as there are snacks and and refreshments for your guests, that should be fine. Personally, I like see how people do different things at their weddings. I have been to something similar, there was a long table with rolls, different meats and cheeses, crackers, veggies, olives, pickles, some noodle salads, potato salad, and a sundae line. they did have the cake though, but it was made of cupcakes, and bride and groom had a small little cake that they cut for pictures. I thought it was very nice and I liked being able to make my own sandwich and sundae the way I wanted it.

Answer 5

I think that sounds great! I am sure it will be the talk of the town for a long time to come. People will be on the streets, hey you remember that wedding were they had ice cream sundaes instead of cake, it rocked. Or what about those sandwiches, they were kicking! See all kinds of good things will be said, sounds like a blast to me!! Congratulations!

Answer 6

First, i desire to show out that the way food is served has not something to do with the customary. If it replaced into icky and/or chilly as a take a seat-down possibilities are high it could have been icky and/or chilly as a buffet to boot. additionally, i could desire to show out until you have a private server for each concentrated visitor then no not all and sundry gets their food on the comparable time no count what variety. needless to say human beings interior the front of the line are going to get their food in the previous the individuals interior the back of the line. it is swifter, definite, yet nevertheless not likely all and sundry getting their food on the comparable time. it is relatively the comparable as a take a seat-down in basic terms it is the servers that are in line. needless to say, a server in front of the line is going to be waiting to serve their tables first/swifter than a server at the back of the line. With that being mentioned, as a concentrated visitor, I do in my view desire a buffet. i'm a small guy or woman and usually a take a seat-down has 3, 4, 5 or much extra courses and each are portioned as their own dinner. i only can not eat that lots and that i think undesirable whilst i will't clean my plate(s) (on the grounds that i'm not the only buying it.) At a buffet i will factor each and every thing myself so i could have a style of each and every thing and clean my plate :D. a great caterer would desire to understand a thank you to maintain their food heat no count what the variety it is served in and usually the bride and groom get served no count what variety they have establish for the travelers. a great place will besides and that they are going to be waiting to make specific to beautify the tables and characteristic each and every thing seem stunning so as that it is not cheesy.

Answer 7

I think that it is great. Depending on what time you are having the reception. If you are having it around 12-3 then you can get away with just doing platters. If you are doing it 4 or past, then you should think about some cocktail shrimp, sandwiches (a couple different kinds), veg tray, fruit tray, and maybe some potato salad or something. That way because it is around dinner, you have plenty for them to eat.
Good luck.

Answer 8

On a limited budget you do what you can. The important thing is to have fun with your guests.

A sit-down dinner is for a formal wedding reception and can be costly, usually rather stuffy and etiquette is expected.

With close friends and family the reception can be as informal as you want to make it. For example a couple friends of mine had pizza, sub sandwiches, and taco makings at their reception. It was a fun party.

Answer 9

Since you're having a fairly informal wedding, I think a formal, sit-down meal would be more out of place.

Good etiquette is making sure the guests you invite have their physical needs tended to and are made to feel welcome. Etiquette is not concerned with the specific menu you choose; only that you consider the needs, well-being, and comfort of your guests.

So long as there is plenty to eat and drink, you're nicely covered on the etiquette front.

Oh, and I love the ice cream sundae idea! That sounds like fun!

I'm sure your guests will have a lovely time, and that's what matters.

Answer 10

It's fine, and sounds like fun! Just so your guests know what to expect, you might word the invitation in a way so they don't expect a formal atmosphere and a sit-down dinner. Perhaps something like "casual reception" or "join us for dancing, sandwiches and ice cream at ____"

Answer 11

Nowadays I think people spend way too much on food. So I think your idea is great because it will be money saving. I would just hope that people don't complain that they are hungry. I would make sure you have a wedding later in the day so people can still eat lunch before they go to the wedding.