Buffet vs. Dessert Reception

mrscoliver2012

We are planning a reception of about 200 people and will be paying for the wedding ourselves.  Does anyone have ideas about a low-cost buffet?  What about a dessert reception?  Pros? Cons?  Any ideas and feedback is greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

I should mention that we would like to get married at 5/6 in the evening and DO have out of town guests coming.

[Deleted User]

I suggest you move your ceremony until at least 7 pm after people expect a meal. If you have a 5/6 pm ceremony, guests expect a meal. If you have the ceremony after meal time, you can have a cocktail/dessert reception.

SaraAndrew2010

If you are getting married at 5 or 6, you need to provide a meal.  That is right in the middle of meal time and you can't just serve your guests desserts.  If you want to do a dessert reception, you have to do it at a non-meal time such as early afternoon or after 8:00 pm.

SD3194

What do you consider low cost? $2000? $200?

rknox88

If that is the time of your reception you need to serve a meal. BBQ is usually a budget friendly option.

peanutty2

i'd much much prefer a buffet of real food to dessert.  i'm not a big desserts person as it is, even if it's light real food i'd prefer that.

also at that time, i'd expect a meal.  if you're going to move it to another time and/or do a non-meal wedding, let guests know also.

rubber+soul

-Don't offer beef or seafood options. They are more expensive than chicken
-Pasta is filling and also budget-friendly
-Vegetarian meals (eggplant parmesan for example) will also save you money
-Buy a couple of sheet cakes from your local grocery store for dessert
-Since you're interested in getting married in the evening, look into holding your wedding on a Friday night. Also, ask your venue for their off season prices. It's usually cheaper to get married in say March or November than in June or July.
I hope this helps and good luck with your planning.

TripleJTobe

Sunday night is also a budget friendly option. I definately agree that I'd prefer to have a buffet dinner to a dessert reception unless the reception is starting later on where I have had dinner prior to the ceremony. As mentioned above, leeping with a variety of pasta options and chicken will absolutely save you money and fill peoples tummies right up! I also loved the idea of the sheet cake. Low cost and still gives you the opportunity to provied dessert if you like- without breaking the bank! )

KayleighAthena

I'm having a dessert reception in May and what we are doing (since our reception is in a different location than the ceremony) is leaving 2 hours between our ceremony and reception. We include in the invite that it was dessert only and a list of resturants in the area. We have a friend making a small cake and a bunch of little cupcakes. and then we also have strawberries with white chocolate, and a few other desserts. We also are going to have a fruit disply and cheese and crackers just for substance as people are drinking and for people who might not want sweets. I think desserts can be really cheap but if you are looking at fruits that are in season and keep it simple.