What do you think of a later evening wedding with hor d'ouerves and dessert?

jamiemckeel

Can I do an after dinner wedding with only hor d'ouerves, dessert, and cocktails? Will that even save me any money?  What do you all think of a night time wedding?

jemmini6

Yes, it should save you a lot of money, depending on the type of appetizers you serve.  Just be sure to indicate on your invitation the time of the ceremony and "hor d'ouerves and dessert to follow" so that people can plan accordingly to eat beforehand.

Syndelin

I think you can do whatever you want!   LOL

Really though, I think it would be fine.   I would really look around for the right venue though, and keep in mind that there are sound ordinances in a lot of places, so if you wanted to make everything later, and still have a decent length reception time for dancing/music, etc, it is something you would have to consider in the venue choice.

It's not an uncommon thing to do though, brunch receptions or late evening cocktail/dessert receptions. 

LedZeppelin

I think a dessert and appetizer reception is fine as long as it is after the normal dinner time, otherwise people will be hungry for a full meal.

Also, keep in mind, that it will not always save you a lot of money. Some places I looked at charged just as much, if not more, for appetizers because it is more work to make and serve a bunch of tiny portions of food, rather than do a buffett.

ashl_bee

My friends' wedding in Dec was in the late evening in NYC. The ceremony started at 8:30pm and there were hor d'ouerves for the first hour or so of the reception. Then right before the cake was cut, there were platters of cannoli to eat while the bride, groom, "best people" and parents made speeches, and while the cake was being cut.

The bridal party ate pizza while our hair and the bride's hair and makeup were being done. Everyone else that was part of the wedding planning/decorating/guest book table just made plans to eat or brought a packed dinner with them. By the time everything was said and done, I didn't even worry about eating anything and it was a beautiful affair.

Price-wise it was a lot cheaper for the couple to have an hour long hor d'ouerves service than a sit down meal for over 150 guests.

belgirl

I did it and it was a huge success - 7:00 PM wedding with dessert reception afterwards.  Everyone loved it!

sweetlilpsycho

I love this idea!  I want to do an urban/nightclub type wedding, and I know if I do it in the summer I won't have the beautiful nighttime wedding I adore, I'm so glad that it's an appropriate option for a wedding!

divine_chaos

We are getting married on our properties and also hosting the reception there. We are having cocktails at 4-5, ceremony and then heavy appetizers, full bar, cake. The food is actually my choice because i like to eat lots of different things rather than one or two set meals. BORING! So we are having stations..mexican, italian, soup & salad, carved meat, bruschetta & tampanade, fruits, artisian cheeses, meats & breads. We are using all local products here in AZ and the cost is actually less than a plated meal. Our guests will have more variety and be just as full as if it was a plated meal. We are not altering the sunset timing just because we are not serving a "meal"
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Bottom line do what you guys want. As good hosts you should ensure your guests are fed if that is what is offered but please dont feel based up traditions that you are required to do anything! This is about you two joining lives and as such should be what you want, how you want and when you want.