Dessert/Dancing Reception time.

summerlilly2008

We would like to have a dancing reception but are on a tight budget. I want to know if you can only have a dancing reception in the evening and therefore need to provide a full meal. The ceremony and reception will be in the same place. I was hoping to have a dessert reception mostly cause I can do the baking myself and cut some costs. The guest list is probably 40-60 people. We really want to have our first dance and know exactly what song. We are just trying to find a way to make it work.

mbcdefg

I think it'd be O.K. if you start it around 8 p.m. or later, and then tell people on the invite (and through word of mouth) that it will be desserts and dancing. That way they know to eat something heartier beforehand.

I would also include fresh fruit and maybe something like cheese & crackers or a platter of savory hors d'oeuvres. Especially if you're serving alcohol.

ETA: if you want to do an afternoon dessert reception, maybe go from 2-5 p.m. And like MyName said, people who want to dance will probably dance no matter what (alcohol will probably help move things along, unless you are opposed to serving it).

MyNameIsNot

You can have dancing any time of day.  It sort of depends on your guests, but most people I know would dance morning, afternoon, or evening, so long as they've had a couple of drinks.