Cake and Punch Reception?

karliebrown16

Has anyone had or having a cake/punch reception only?

PreppySailor

This is fine as long as it's not a meal time.

Leah&Christian09

Ours wasn't, but I've been to a few. Just keep it smaller and simple, and don't do it during a meal time.

NotNumbers

I've never been to one, but see no problem with it so long as you avoid meal times and people know that it is cake & punch only.

ExpatPumpkin

No, we had a full reception with alcohol. But a cake and punch reception might best fit your religion and/or budget. Advice: - Have your ceremony at a non meal time. - Mention on your invitations that a cake and punch reception will follow the ceremony (not sure how that's worded). - Have your reception at the ceremony site - don't make guests drive across town for cake and punch. - Include fingerfood while you're at it - petit fours, tea sandwiches, fruit trays, etc. - Make sure there's really enough food for everyone. These type of receptions are the ones most likely to run out of food, simply because they're usually DIY projects and professional caterers aren't involved. When in doubt, order too much food. Good luck!

ExpatPumpkin

That's an excellent point StageManager! But fingerfoods would be nice...

danieliza1127

I've been to one before.  It was right after a 2pm ceremony in the big rec room at the church.  It lasted about an hour and a half and then my husband and I and his parents went out to dinner afterward.In my opinion, a cake and punch reception is perfectly fine for a 2 or 3pm reception as long as it clearly says on the invitation "Cake and punch immediately following" or "dessert reception immediately following" so guests know to eat lunch before they come.

ffmaid

I have been to several Cake and Coffee receptions ( no idea why cake and punch are called cake and coffee in my circle. ) Generally wedding at 1:30-2:30 reception across parking lot in church hall. Cake, veggie tray with dip, soda, water. coffee. tea, Sometimes a little more liek a tray of cookie or cheese and crackers but rarely. A bunch of mingling and having fun for an hour or two ending 4ish. Couple usually then takes pictures post reception and then  it is over.  

lysandramarie

I like the idea!  I originally wanted to do a cake and coffee reception with a champagne toast but but it's morphed into cocktails and hors d'ouvres in the evening.  But I agree you should expect it to be short - we're planning 2-3 hrs for ours max.

tenofcups4me

I've never been to one and have never heard of one in "real life" (I've only read about them here). I wouldn't object to one, but I'd definitely want to know that's what it was because if not, I would expect a full meal no matter what time of day it is (since I've never attended a wedding that didn't have a full meal). I would imagine they don't last very long.

firemansfiance

We're planning on a cake & punch reception... possibly some fruit & veggie trays or crackers & dip, etc. The wedding will be at 2:00 so not a major meal time. We're on a really tight budget & we're leaving for our honeymoon right afterwards so it's just better for us. Also, his side of the family does not drink & mine does (at every occasion)... so mixing the two would only lead to problems. Either way...we'll be married by the time the reception starts so I'll be happy

DanaG01

We are having cake and punch, no alcohol. I'm looking for yellow and pale blue punch recipes :-) I think virgin cocktail recipes might be nice. We are also thinking of adding a candy table. 2pm wedding start time. 3 hours max for everything.