2007-09-27 09:52:49 · 12 answers · asked by seth001 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
It depends on the time. If your reception ends at 5 pm or if it even ends at 6 pm, no, you can just serve hour devores and cake. But if your reception is going on any time between 6pm and 10 pm, serve dinner. This can be buffet style of sit down.
2007-09-27 10:12:27 · answer #1 · answered by Jordan D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you serve at your wedding reception is always your decision, your choice.
You do not have to serve dinner . . you can have a breakfast or brunch or luncheon or just cake and punch or "nothing at all."
True story . . A Bride and Groom invited fifty people (family members and close friends) to their wedding last May in a park. The gazebo was beautifully decorated. After the ceremony the Bride and Groom got in their car and drove to the airport . . no dinner . . no cake . . no photographer . . no DJ. The whole thing was over in twenty minutes, and that's exactly what the Bride and Groom wanted, even though they could afford to do something much grander.
Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant
2007-09-28 03:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by Avis B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The general rule is that if you keep your guests for 1.5 hours or more, you must provide beverages, 2.5 hours or more and you must supply snacks, 4 hours or more and you must provide an actual meal, either seated or buffet. So unless ceremony + reception is 3.5 hours or less, then you have to give a meal.
However it need not be dinner. You could have an early wedding followed by a fancy breakfast or a luncheon. You could have cold cut platters or pizza. As long as it's real food and not just snacks and appetizers, it's OK.
2007-09-27 14:40:44 · answer #3 · answered by kill_yr_television 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't have to do anyting! it's your wedding. Traditionally you do provide dinner but if it's an early or late reception you could do some appetizers and dessert only.
Make sure you indicate it on your invitations so that people won't be expecting dinner.
why dont you just save the money and go to vegas and have a quick and inexpensive wedding and have just a party at home later with desserts and drinks only? That's what we did and it was great - plus we got our honeymoon all built in and it was cheaper but more fun!
2007-09-27 10:02:54 · answer #4 · answered by jachooz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. We didn't have the money for a dinner reception, so we went with a Cake & Punch reception. The menu -
Wedding cake
Punch
Bottled water
Mints
Hershey's Kisses
Nuts
Cream Puffs
2007-09-27 10:30:21 · answer #5 · answered by beckini 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, you dont even have to have a reception. If money is an issue, run off to vegas and have fun doing it.
I am having an afternoon wedding with hors derves and cake.
The trick is, I think, scheduling the wedding at a time where people are not expecting a meal. If you have your wedding at 4 or 5 then people are going to expect a meal.
Make sure you word your invitatations appropriately so there is not a mix up.
Good luck.
2007-09-27 10:51:34 · answer #6 · answered by bluegirl6 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's usually the accepted practice. Buffet dinners are a really good idea, look into a few catering places and see what their prices.
However if you aren't planning on having a long reception then possibly just some desserts laid out would be alright.
2007-09-27 09:58:17 · answer #7 · answered by Zyggy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no - i have been to cake and punch receptions - both with and without dancing after. i enjoyed both.
however my suggestion is on the wedding invite to put "dinner reception following" or "cake and punch reception following" so people know if they can hit a drive thru or not if they are hungry.
2007-09-27 10:00:58 · answer #8 · answered by mender_bender2001 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to, you could time the reception to be around 3pm and just have cake and drinks. I'd suggest offering something very light though, maybe just sandwiches and crisps and fruit if you are on a very tight budget.
2007-09-27 22:06:56 · answer #9 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! You can have a range of cake/punch etc, to finger foods, to a buffet or sit down meal. I never remember the meal (not even all of the menu from the one at Hotel Del Coronado) but do remember how much fun I had.
2007-09-27 13:05:57 · answer #10 · answered by Asked and Answered 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋