Is there such a thing as having a wedding with dessert and drinks to follow-- no meal?

Question

How would i explain that people need to eat before they come to the wedding?

Answer 1

It's termed a Dessert Reception and is perfectly acceptable when it's done properly.

1. On the invitations you need to list that it's a Dessert Reception "so and so invite you to their wedding......dessert reception to follow at X beginning X..."

2. You must have it at a time that is not peak mealtime. Your reception will have to be 8am-noon, 2pm - 5pm, or 7pm - 10pm. You will also need to keep it fairly short. If the only thing available is dessert you can't expect people to stay for 5 or 6 hours.

I don't know what your reception plans are but it might also be helpful to note that if you are having dessert only but holding the party at the most expensive venue in town or inviting 400 people.....guests might be upset.

Answer 2

Hi and congratulations!

YES! This is acceptable....BUT....you must be careful WHEN it is.

This type of reception works ONLY for mid-afternoon (say the reception starts at 2-3 p.m. and last for only a few hours.

OR...you can have a late evening wedding (say 7:30 p.m.), with a dessert reception and drinks to follow. You cannot do this at any time where a meal would be expected. So, you cannot have your reception start anywhere from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which would be lunch, OR anywhere from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., which would be dinner.

I was at one last winter that was very romantic. An evening candlelight ceremony followed by a dessert and champagne reception. Very nice! But again...you must consider the time.

So....for the invitations you would list the wedding ceremony time and then put something in like:

Dessert reception immediately following the ceremony
[venue]

Good luck!

Answer 3

That is a great idea. Make sure that the wedding is scheduled either after or between meals though. Like 1:30 ceremony and 2:00 reception. Or even better 7:30 ceremony and 8:00ish wedding. Make it an elegant evening affair and people will have already eaten. Make sure on the reception card to state something to the effect of "Cockatil and dessert reception to follow at . . . " That way there is no confusion. I was recently at a wedding that was held at 5pm and all tehy served were appetizers!!! We were all starving, and left early to go get dinner.

Answer 4

YES! Apparently this is fairly common although I've never been to a wedding like this. I'm getting married next year and we considered this as a way to cut costs.

If you're going to have a dessert reception, have the ceremony around like 2pm. That way people have already eaten lunch and they won't expect dinner.

Some people get attitude about the idea of not serving a meal, but when we were considering it, my view was this: we are paying for the wedding, so we'll do whatever we want. We only want people at our wedding who are there to share our day -- not complain because they wanted a free meal. That's just ridiculous.

I'd go for it -- it saves money! We didn't because we ended up using a hotel for our reception and desserts/drinks wouldn't reach the minimum.

Answer 5

Every wedding I have been to does this. This used to be a rather common thing. You ever watch a movie set in Edwardian times where someone was getting married? None of them served dinner. Dinner receptions didn't used to be the norm across the board. My family is from the South and every wedding they have attended down there has been a dessert reception as well. These are common where the reception is held at church rather than in a banquet hall.

To inform guests, print up a small card that says "Dessert reception immediately following".

Answer 6

On the invites:
Dessert Reception to Follow
Cocktail Reception to Follow
Cake and Punch Reception to Follow


Those are all receptions without full meals so people know to eat before they come. Also, the time at which you do it implys the meal. For example receptions at 12 pm and 6 pm, a meal would be expected. But a reception at 8 or 9 pm, a meal would be less expected, and cocktails, dessert and drinks would be more likely.

:-D

Answer 7

If the wedding is held later in the evening, most people will get it that they should eat before they come. Just to make sure everyone understands it - put something like "cocktails and dessert to follow ceremony" on the invite. Its perfectly fine to not serve a meal - it will save a lot of money if you are on a budget!

Answer 8

Depending on the time of your service, most people will be able to figure out whether or not they will be fed. My mum got married at 3.30 in the afternoon so noone expected lunch cus it was too late, nor did they expect dinner, cus it was too early. What they got was a few nibblies, with their drinks and cake to help themselves to. You can put a small note on your invitation stating that cake and drinks will be served after the ceremony. Its your wedding after all and you can do what you like. If they have an issue with it, im sure theres always a McDonald's to stop at somewhere on their way home!!!

Answer 9

Dessert receptions are becoming more and more popular. As for the invites just put in : "Join us for dessert and champagne to celebrate our marriage at ............."
It doesnt matter what time you have your reception, guest will plan ahead and work around it. Remember its your wedding not theirs.
My mum always said that as soon as you get pregnant or plan a wedding everyone has advice on the right way to do it, just listen and smile, then do what you think is best.

Answer 10

Yes, that is completely acceptable, provided most people are not driving long distances to attend your wedding. (If most guests are driving a long distance, then it would be best to serve a full meal.)

On the bottom of your invitation, write "Dessert reception to follow."

Make sure your reception is not at a normal meal time. For example, you could have your ceremony at 2 p.m. and your reception at 3 p.m., or your ceremony at 8:00 p.m. and your reception at 9 p.m.