When to Start the Reception

purduekate

I've polled my friends and everyone has a different opinion.  My fiance and I are getting married at a destination wedding by ourselves and returning to have a reception/party to celebrate our marriage.  I'm just not sure what time to start the party.  We'll be serving food (it will be casual-bbq but served as a buffet) and we'll have a cake cutting, but we're not going to have any formal dancing.  We do have a dj and people are welcome to dance but my family is not a family of dancers.  We also intend of having our closest friends back to the house to continue the party.

I just don't know when to start.  I orginally thought 1pm so it could be really casual but a friend suggested 3.  If it starts at 3, when do people eat?  I'm usually not one to eat a meal at 3 pm.  Please help-sorry this question is so longwinded!

laurening

My experience is that if people know food will be provided, they will plan accordingly and eat no matter the time.  

3 or 4 works for a casual BBQ. Wait an hour for the buffet and do a "cocktail hour" while you wait for everyone to arrive and get settled. Provide some easy snacks or apps (crackers, nuts, chips, salsa) - it doesn't need to be elaborate.

aerinpegadrak

As long as you have enough food to constitute a meal (i.e. your guests won't leave hungry) then you can have the party at mealtime.  12pm or 1pm is fine.

jenn.daniel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_start-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:662db090-4c5e-4482-8ab1-42d60262dbd7Post:4f3f57fe-710a-470a-bd95-b91f55cdf5c9">Re: When to Start the Reception</a>:
[QUOTE]My experience is that if people know food will be provided, they will plan accordingly and eat no matter the time.   Posted by laurening[/QUOTE]

BBQ is good any time of day!

doodlebugs787

If you are talking about having it during the summer, 3 to 4 will be a perfect time of day.  By that time the heat of the day will be over, but you will still have plenty of time before it gets dark.  If people know they are going to be fed they will plan and be hungry.  Do what you want!  

lyndausvi

I  like 3pm.  That gives me the morning and early afternoon to get things done.

As far as food.   My experience also is people will eat at anytime of the day.  Have you never been to a late afternoon BBQ before? Never had  Thanksgiving dinner at 2 or 3?  What about Sunday dinner at grandmas?  

While I normally do not eat a full meal at 3pm on a daily basis.    I certain have attended events that have had meals at that time and I just adjust my other meals for the day accordingly.

pandasquishy

Anytime would be fine for eating like PPs said, but the earlier you start the reception the less likely people will dance I think.

CaptiolBride

I think people will be fine with eating at 3pm. They will probably eat breakfast and make sure they come hungry to the reception.  Sounds like fun!!!! What are you going to wear (just curious)?