Invitation Wording - Buffet Dinner

lulu4150

Hi Everyone

would it be tacky to put buffet dinner to follow at the end of my invite?  if so, where do i mention it? 

thanks!

ElisabethJoanne

You can just put "dinner." You don't have to tell people it's buffet.

I've received lots of invitations for ceremonies at 1 or 2pm followed immediately by full-meal receptions. I'm never expecting full-meal receptions at that time, and I wish the invitations would indicate that's what I'm heading for. I'd skip the usual heavy lunch I have right before the ceremony.

I don't have my books with me, so I can't tell you how to word it exactly, though.

lulu4150

i thought of that but i dont want people to wonder why i didn't include meal options in the invitation.

lulu4150

also, dinner was the wrong word.  its not dinner but its not lunch.  i'm having the ceremony at 2:30 and then reception at 3.

Peavy

Just put luncheon reception to follow

lulu4150

Peavy,
thats not tacky to put?  some ppl thought it was.

hoffse

It actually IS dinner.  Dinner is lunch.  What you mean is it's not supper.  Luncheon is also acceptable, but I think it would be strange to see on an invitation.  It should go on the reception card.

Peavy

If I were invited to a 230P ceremony and a 3P reception, I would not expect a full meal at that time.  So while "reception to follow" may be correct, I think that most people would be surprised to be served a meal at that time.

Irishcurls

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_invitation-wording-buffet-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:488f8c22-7a4a-4168-bbbc-dd67c7ea830cPost:cf6020ed-37b7-461c-aeb6-ed027a7edf6b">Re: Invitation Wording - Buffet Dinner</a>:
[QUOTE]i thought of that but i dont want people to wonder why i didn't include meal options in the invitation.
Posted by lulu4150[/QUOTE]
I always assume that means either a buffet or a surf 'n turf for everyone type deal. Either way, people will find things to eat. I don't think you have to specify. 

Ali092011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_invitation-wording-buffet-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:488f8c22-7a4a-4168-bbbc-dd67c7ea830cPost:cf6020ed-37b7-461c-aeb6-ed027a7edf6b">Re: Invitation Wording - Buffet Dinner</a>:
[QUOTE]i thought of that but i dont want people to wonder why i didn't include meal options in the invitation.
Posted by lulu4150[/QUOTE]

I think most people know that no meal option=buffet.

When I see the words "reception to follow," I interpret that to mean a full meal, whether it be a plated meal or a buffet. Usually if people are only serving hors d'oeuvres, it's worded differently.

kristinanddan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_invitation-wording-buffet-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:488f8c22-7a4a-4168-bbbc-dd67c7ea830cPost:33525868-01ba-4a22-8f83-f017623b0054">Re: Invitation Wording - Buffet Dinner</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Invitation Wording - Buffet Dinner : I think most people know that no meal option=buffet. 
Posted by Ali092011[/QUOTE]<div>
That isn't true at all. We had tableside ordering, so no need to pick a meal ahead of time and no buffet.

</div>

Stephanie&TonyLucas

Since it is an afternoon wedding & reception. People may be unsure.

So I would say: "reception & dinner to follow"


My first wedding I got married at 2 and reception from 3-5. We put "Cake & Punch Reception to follow" on ours. We didn't have alcohol (it was at a church) and aside from the 1st dance/father-daughter dance there wasn't any dancing. It lets people know what to expect.

StephanieM22

You can always do what CMGr did for her daughters wedding and put the etiquette correct "reception to follow" on the invite but have the menu on the website. This way people know there will be food served and not to eat a huge lunch before the wedding.