light refreshments vs. full lunch

NatalieL2013

 i'm looking at doing light refreshments like a meat and cheese tray or some little sandwiches with coffee and tea instead of the full sit down lunch we had originally planned for. We are essentially looking for the absolute cheapest way to d this wedding. Is this considered bad wedding etiquette? 

Avion22

If your wedding and reception are at a meal time, then you need to provide enough food to constitute a meal.  You don't have to do a sit-down meal for lunch, and I don't think it necessarily needs to be hot food (though it would be nice if it's the middle of winter), but a meat and cheese tray probably isn't enough.   Sandwiches would be better.  Hot apps would be great, but might actually be more expensive than some buffet options.

NatalieL2013

I was thinking that the wedding would b around 1 or 2 that way most ppl have already eaten lunch and its still before dinner. in terms of the food, we  were looking at deli sandwiches and wraps with some veggie and cheese/meat platters. its also a spring wedding so  think a light post lunch snack would be appropriate

JaxInBlue

Agree with PPs.  If you don't want to serve a fmeal, you should start your wedding at 2 or 3 and wrap up the reception before dinner.  I'm thinking about it this way: if you start a ceremony at 1, many of your guest will want to be early, suggesting they might leave their homes or hotel rooms around 12:30.  If it takes them at least 30 minutes to get dressed, that's noon (I don't like getting dressed up and then eating before an event).  Some guests might have a snack or a late breakfast, but at 1 PM I would guess a lot of people would plan on a late lunch at your reception.  You'd be safer at 2 or 3 PM.

You could also price out some meal options that can be cheaper - BBQ, pasta/lasagna - or go in a different direction and try bunch. But if you want to serve apps, definitely pick a later time in the afternoon or a late evening time.

Mrs.B6302007

Ditto Stage.  That's exactly what I was going to say regarding the time.  You have to allow the people time to eat before the ceremony.  2 or 3 pm is perfect for light refreshments after.  You could base the time on people's drive times. If your furthest guest will have to drive 30 minutes, you could probably do a 2 pm wedding because they could eat lunch, get ready, and still be in the car by 1:15 or so.  If you have guests driving further than that, you need to do a 3pm ceremony.

Peavy

Ditto Stage.  I think the only time you can get away without serving a full meal is for a wedding that starts between 2PM and 3PM.  Any other time crosses a mealtime.

mcskatcat

It's only improper if you do it at a meal time, or expect your festitivities to take place over the course of the day.  A lot of weddings are at 2-3 pm, for example, and then have the reception starting at 5 or so.  In those events, it's crazy to expect people to show up for everything and not feed them.  

If you're getting married at a church, I would say to do a ceremony and then use one of the church's facilities to host a lighter reception.