Dessert Reception??

jaghdr28

I'm tossing around the idea of a dessert reception... has anyone ever done this or seen it done before? If so, any tips or suggestions? Any and all thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

Cookie Pusher

I didn't have one, nor have I ever been to one. However, if you are going to do a dessert reception, make sure your wedding does not fall within meal-time so your guests are not left hungry!

jaghdr28

The wedding will start around 12:30 pm, so it will be between lunch and dinner when the reception is happening. 

BlueBirdMB

The wedding will start around 12:30 pm, so it will be between lunch and dinner when the reception is happening.

*stuck in the box*  I'd assume there was lunch at 12:30.  To be safe, I'd wait until 2 pm for a dessert reception. 

jaghdr28

I was thinking that by the time we get to the reception, after doing the ceremony and pictures that it would probably be close to 2 pm when the reception itself would start. It won't be a long reception either, three hours at most, which was why I was thinking desserts. Is that what you were meaning? Start the reception around 2 or the ceremony?

Cookie Pusher

If you're having the ceremony starting at 12:30, that will not give your guests time to eat lunch beforehand. Most of them will have breakfast in the morning and won't eat again until your reception. I would start the ceremony at 2 so people can eat lunch and still get to the ceremony. A dessert reception at 3:30 would be fine.

RebeccaB88

For a 12:30 wedding, I'd expect a full lunch. I'd move the ceremony to at least 1:00, 2:00 would be perfect.  Or, do an evening cermony, 8:00pm (7:30 at the earliest).

jaghdr28

Hmm - never thought about having an evening wedding. That's interesting.

BlueBirdMB

The 12:30 start of the ceremony is an issue because like PPs said, you have to give your guests time to eat lunch before.

octoberbride9

We are doing a dessert reception with the ceremony at 3pm and the reception starts at 3:45pm.  It's a Sunday and that's the earliest we can start allowing for travel time after church (our crowd will all be in church until 12:30) and leaving time for travel and lunch.  We are having a very small wedding, they all know it will be a dessert only reception and they tend to eat Sunday supper late anyway.  We're just giving them an afternoon snack and coffee:)

Like PPs said, just think through travel time, people coming early, etc, make extra sure you don't fall too much over a meal time & you'll be fine.  People can and will adjust a little...there are wide ranges of times people think of as meal times. At my job, some people take their lunch at 11am, some not until 2pm...you can't always fit every schedule. So do your best, be respectful of as many details as possible & then enjoy dessert with your guests!

CMGragain

If you are having a 12:30 ceremony, you need to serve a luncheon, not just desserts.

LondonLisa

If you are not serving a meal, you would need to have the ceremony start between 2-3 and the reception finish before 5:30 or a ceremony start after 8pm (a 7:30 ceremony for me would mean dinner). 

Honestly, I need something more than just sweets, such as cheese and crackers/ fruit. I am fine with not having a full meal at a wedding as long as it isn't at a meal time. Have you thought of having an afternoon tea wedding? You could have all the patisserie plates, finger sandwiches, macaroons etc for the same cost as a dessert reception, but it would be more fitting for an afternoon wedding. Afternoon tea goes great with champagne and this could be hosted inexpensively in a garden somewhere. 

Also, brunch receptions are inexpensive and really fun! Have you considered that? 

jaghdr28

No I haven't. That's a good idea too! What would be served at a brunch reception?

LondonLisa

Brunch receptions usually have the ceremony start at around 11, then a reception of brunch style things, such as eggs, bacon, breads, croissants and danishes, etc.

I have even seen one with a waffle station with various toppings. Usually the only alcohol is bloody marys and mimosas. Various types of coffees and teas too.

They can be absolutely lovely, finishing in the afternoon. It is an inexpensive way to serve a full meal and everyone loves brunch!

I could be mistaken, but I believe the daughter of @CMGragain had a brunch reception- any input CMG?

Jen4948

I was at one that took place in mid-afternoon, so it was a reasonable time of day to do it.

JCbride2015

I'm jumping on the brunch bandwagon!  Brunch is the best!  Waffles for everyone!

We had a brunch engagement party at 1pm on a Saturday.  It was a simple buffet with french toast and various toppings, scrambled eggs, bacon, a pasta dish with chicken, and salad (sort of a heavy salad with goat cheese, apples, and walnuts).

ETA: dessert was Italian cookies and cake.  There was also coffee, juice, bloody marys, bellinis, and mimosas.

PrettyGirlLost

jaghdr28 said:

I was thinking that by the time we get to the reception, after doing the ceremony and pictures that it would probably be close to 2 pm when the reception itself would start. It won't be a long reception either, three hours at most, which was why I was thinking desserts. Is that what you were meaning? Start the reception around 2 or the ceremony?

If your ceremony starts at 12:30 then it should be over by 1:00pm if you aren't have a long, religious ceremony, and 1:30-1:45pm at the latest, if you are having a full Catholic Mass.

Depending on travel time to your reception venue, that means your reception should begin around 1:15- 1:30pm for the former situation or 1:45-2pm for the latter.

Now, If I was a guest at your wedding I would eat a big breakfast and then expect lunch or heavy apps that could make up a full lunch at your reception with your planned timeline.

I agree with PP's that if you don't want to provide a meal for your guests, you should push your ceremony time back to 2pm.

climbingsingle

I wish one of my friends would have a brunch reception and invite me. 

Anyway, a dessert reception I would expect later in the day. Like after dinner. 

CMGragain

jaghdr28 said:

No I haven't. That's a good idea too! What would be served at a brunch reception?

Daughter's wedding brunch was at a country club, which did the catering.  It was half the cost of a dinner reception.  Here is the menu:

carved roast beef with horseradish
sausages and bacon
scrambled eggs
eggs benedict
asperagus with hollandaise
hash browns
salmon
fruit
pastries
coffee and tea

For drinks we had bloody marys and mimosas along with sodas.  Half of our guests were non-drinkers, and there were kids.

Food was about $33 per person, with drinks extra (consumption).  That was in 2011 near Washington DC. $$$$  It was all served buffet style with tablecloths, silver and china.  Very elegant!

The food was very popular, especially with the men, who chowed down on the bacon and sausages.  Son is a foodie, and he thought the salmon was perfect!  I'd do this again in a heartbeat if I had to throw another wedding.