Reception/Timeline Help!

AmandaK2010

Hi! I need major help!  I am still undecided what I want to do for the reception and thus cannot determine my wedding day timeline!  I likely to do things that are different, but I am indecisive.  I have some options:

1.  Heavy appetizers or comfort foods -this option would have a late reception (starts at 8 or something)

2.  Sit-down dinner- this is a more traditional option

Which do you prefer as a guest?

Also, what is the purpose of a cocktail hour?  Is it necessary?  Is it always 1 hour?

We are planning on bringing out snacks at like 10:30 or 11:00 during the dance for people to have to munch on.  What kind of snack do you think is best?

We can have our ceremony at any time, but I would like to have it right before the reception.  So, all that being said, what should I do?!

Thanks in advance for your help!!

amagwire

Those are both very different options.  I would prefer the first option though, sometimes traditional sit down dinners can be awkward for guests.  As long as you're feeding them, it's totally up to you!

Cocktail hour is meant for the guests to mingle with each other before dinner starts.  At this time, the bride often have their pictures taken by the photographer.  It's a good time to get away without leaving your guests behind, as they are busy drinking, eating and mingling. 

fallbride1109

One of the things I look forward to at a wedding is food.

I did the traditional cocktail hour/buffet dinner reception.  It was the best choice for us and our wedding.  What you choose should depend on your budget, the type of the wedding you are having and your own personal preference. 

The late night snack is becoming very popular.  A girl on my local board did sliders and milkshakes and it was a huge hit.

BostonBride919

I feel that a sit down dinner makes for a more formal feel than a cocktail reception - So it really depends on how you see your wedding & what you want.

Cocktail hour typically allows the Bride & Groom and weddign party to take pics while the guests are settling in at the reception and mingling before dinner. If you do a cocktail reception, this would not be necessary.

We did "Fenway Favorites" for a late  night snack - Sliders, mini boxes of fries, hot pretzels, and mini fenway franks wrapped in pastry. One thing to mention is that I never even saw them because I didn't get off of the dance floor and they were served around the dance floor so I wish I clarified that!!

AmandaK2010

I love the idea of late night snacks!  I'm glad to hear that others have done them and people have enjoyed them. 

I want the wedding to be casual formal, if that makes sense.  The guys are wearing suits with different patterned ties and my dress is tea-length.  I just want to make sure it seems formal enough that people dress nicely and treat the wedding with the appropriate amount of reverence, but not stuffy.  That is why I like the later reception with more casual food.  My FI prefers the sit-down meal because that is the norm for around our area.  North Dakota is rather slow when it comes to following wedding trends!!

Thanks for the advice!

aerinpegadrak

I think a cocktail reception might work better for you.  At a mealtime, as long as you're serving enough food that your guests aren't going to be tempted to leave for a McDonald's run, you can serve it in whatever style you wish.

Catwoman708

As a guest, a sit down dinner feels more formal, and I just enjoy getting waited on for a change.  I don't even mind that someone else has chosen the menu for me, saves me the trouble of deciding.  It also seems to make the evening more "structured", and less chaotic, but some people might find that boring.

Buffets are nice, because I can pick and choose, but they seem a little more casual, more "self service/you're on your own".  People come and go, are milling around looking for seats, getting up and down, etc...

Cocktail receptions are nice if you like to mingle, nibble, and who doesn't like free booze?  LOL!  Venues often don't put as many tables and chairs out, because guests will be standing more and mingling. Yes I will mingle some, but it's hard to juggle a plate of appetizers, napkin, drink, purse, and wrap while standing around for hours in high heels.   As a guest, I want a chair and place to set my drink down. Even if it's just a bench or some chairs around a small table.

Cocktail hours are not always an hour, and not mandatory.  But if you are taking post ceremony photos, if you expect guests to hang around waiting for you, it's only polite to have some kind of frefreshments for them.  It can be cocktails and appetizers, sodas and pretzels, or punch and cheese and crackers.  Entirely depends on your budget and how long guests will have to wait.

cmkuno

As a guest, I would prefer to be fed dinner.  Most likely at least some of your guests will be from out of town, so if you go with the appetizers only, they'll need to go out to eat before your wedding, which is imposing additional cost on them.  Not a huge issue if what you really want is a late night appetizers only affair.  But just something to take into account.  Personally, I would actually find it more awkward to have to walk around and mingle with people all night.  I really like to sit down at a table and eat dinner.  

Catwoman708

As far as time, many older guests would normally eat earlier and be in bed by 8-9 pm.  I'm a little older, so late  nights kind of tire me out.

You can have the ceremony and reception whenever you want.  If it's near a typical meal time, you can still serve appetizers as long as it's enough to equal meal. 

AmandaK2010

Thanks so much for all the advice!  My FI and I are having a chat today about what we are going to decide! Hopefully we will at least have a better idea after today!