Reception Help

KTandBT101014

I am having at 2 o clock wedding, what would be the best kind of reception to have? We are probably having about 50 people. I was thinking doing finger foods, then dances and cake. After all that, maybe just going to dinner at a local restaurant. Is that tacky?

Maggie0829

A 2pm wedding usually calls for a shorter cake and punch type reception. Really it depends on what kind of reception you want. You can have a full out 4-5 hour reception even after a 2pm ceremony. You would just have an early dinner followed by a reception that ends in the early evening which leaves your night open to do whatever. But if you only want to have finger foods and cake then that is perfectly fine. The dinner, however, is not a part of your reception, but rather a separate event entirely.

msuprincess04

Because it's a non-meal time, you are fine doing appetizers and cake instead of full meal. Cake and punch receptions are very popular during mid-afternoon. However, if you go later, you are reaching into meal time and should serve something more substantial. If you are not hosting the dinner, then there should be no mention of it on the invitation.

southernbelle0915

I think what you have planned sounds great.

If you do the 2pm ceremony, do a 2:30-5pm reception. If you have it in the budget to take everyone out to dinner, great! If not, end at 5pm. If you extend past 5pm, I think you should serve a meal. Otherwise, finger foods and cake sound great!

CMGragain

Generally dancing is not a feauture at cake and punch receptions.  Usually, those are much shorter than receptions that serve a full meal.  You can still do dancing if you want to, but don't be surprised if there isn't a lot of participation.