Food and Drinks at Outside Ceremony? XP

megannie

We are having our outdoor garden ceremony and reception in the same location. The garden is located across a small parking lot from the reception hall.

Our ceremony is at 4pm, and will last approximately 30 to 40 minutes. We are going to have a receiving line as guests leave the ceremony space, and stay in the garden for some immediate family pics afterwards. The reception hall will be open at 5pm and the bar area and a full salad bar with appetizers and bread will be available at that time.

Do we need to offer food or drinks before or after our ceremony? The option is available, but my friends and family think it's a waste of money......what do you think?

misshart00

It looks like there will be a 20 to 30 minute gap, since ceremony and reception are at the same place. Is that what you're asking about? I would just move the time you're putting out food up to right after the ceremony.

peekaboo2011

I think it might be nice to have water/lemonade/tea available to those who want it for the 20-30 min between ceremony and reception.  My logic here is based on the fact that it's going to be warm in May, and you don't know how people will react to being outside.

AddieCake

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_food-and-drinks-at-outside-ceremony-xp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe1011f5-e749-4787-8812-68f7162831d9Post:306067b9-bbe4-4aa5-a28d-af9be903d0cd">Re:Food and Drinks at Outside Ceremony? XP</a>:
[QUOTE]It looks like there will be a 20 to 30 minute gap, since ceremony and reception are at the same place. Is that what you're asking about?

I would just move the time you're putting out food up to right after the ceremony.
Posted by misshart00[/QUOTE]


This.

lyndausvi

There is no reason to have that long of a gap when it's at the same location.

I would either move the food up to right after the cermony or better yet  have a 30 min cocktail hour.    Cheese crackers/veggie tray/hummus?   Something light.

McRogol

You might want to put drinks - as PP mentioned, but also if you are hoping to take photos in the garden post ceremony, I wouldn't put anything in th egarden that would encourage guests to linger there.  The suggestion to server your food a smidge earlier as a good one.

megannie

I'm not sure exactly how long it will take for the ceremony, etc, until after the rehearsal, so there may be a 20 minute gap before the doors open. Dinner will definately be served after the salad bar, etc. I believe they plan on serving dinner at 5:30.  This is probably gonna sound crazy, but I loved the scene in the movie "Bridesmaids" where the guests were served garnished glasses of pink lemonade as they arrived at the shower. The girls are wearing a pinky coral, so we were thinking about doing a strawberry lemonade with a strawberry garnish, and some iced tea with a lemon garnish.  I could also move one of the appetizer platters outside......

However, my bm's and family feel it's not necessary, or worth the extra money to do so. I want to do the right thing. So I'm just looking for some outside opinions. Thanks for answering!

STARMOON44

Will people just be standing in the parking lot waiting for the doors to open? That's rude. Negotiate with your venue that the doors open when people arrive.

daveANDkristen

Could you just have your ceremony at 4:30?  Then when the ceremony is over guests can go right into the reception space.

megannie

According to the manager at the venue, most guests choose to mingle in the park after the ceremony, and she suggested the 5 pm opening time. I will talk to them about changing it to 4:30. I just thought it might be nice to hang out in the park and have a drink out there. It's so pretty, but I don't want to be rude, or make assumptions. I also didn't want to neglect my guests needs while we are out there. Thanks.

emilykathleen511

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_food-and-drinks-at-outside-ceremony-xp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe1011f5-e749-4787-8812-68f7162831d9Post:b1f4e3ba-25ec-4387-bd40-c919aa239c89">Re: Food and Drinks at Outside Ceremony? XP</a>:
[QUOTE]According to the manager at the venue, most guests choose to mingle in the park after the ceremony, and she suggested the 5 pm opening time. I will talk to them about changing it to 4:30. I just thought it might be nice to hang out in the park and have a drink out there. It's so pretty, but I don't want to be rude, or make assumptions. I also didn't want to neglect my guests needs while we are out there. Thanks.
Posted by megannie[/QUOTE]

Having drinks outside is fine too, but it seemed like you were looking for a way to avoid the extra expense. As long as you're providing drinks during that time, the later time for the reception is fine.

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_food-and-drinks-at-outside-ceremony-xp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe1011f5-e749-4787-8812-68f7162831d9Post:b1f4e3ba-25ec-4387-bd40-c919aa239c89">Re: Food and Drinks at Outside Ceremony? XP</a>:
[QUOTE]According to the manager at the venue, most guests choose to mingle in the park after the ceremony, and she suggested the 5 pm opening time. I will talk to them about changing it to 4:30. I just thought it might be nice to hang out in the park and have a drink out there. It's so pretty, but I don't want to be rude, or make assumptions. I also didn't want to neglect my guests needs while we are out there. Thanks.
Posted by megannie[/QUOTE]


Having drinks outside is perfectly fine if you want to add that option, but I would make sure your reception space opens immediately after your ceremony for people who want/need to go sit down.  It's one thing to have an option for guests to mingle in the park and have a drink, it's another thing all together when their only option is to stand there for 20-30 minutes without a place to sit down.

megannie

Thanks for everyone's input. The outside garden has more than efficient seating. The ceremony space has seats for everyone, plus extra, there are also numerous benches, wooden swings, and gazebo's with seats scattered around. So seating isn't an issue inside or out. However, I will just change the timing so they can enter the reception space immediately if they choose. It should be a choice they can make whether they choose to stay outside, or just go get some food and sit down. Thanks again.

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_food-and-drinks-at-outside-ceremony-xp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fe1011f5-e749-4787-8812-68f7162831d9Post:228bb086-1e52-4971-ab03-c8782f63fb0c">Re: Food and Drinks at Outside Ceremony? XP</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for everyone's input. The outside garden has more than efficient seating. The ceremony space has seats for everyone, plus extra, there are also numerous benches, wooden swings, and gazebo's with seats scattered around. So seating isn't an issue inside or out. However, I will just change the timing so they can enter the reception space immediately if they choose. It should be a choice they can make whether they choose to stay outside, or just go get some food and sit down. Thanks again.
Posted by megannie[/QUOTE]


That sounds lovely!