Is my reception idea stupid? Please help!

sweetredhead · June 2010

Hi. I am 28 and getting married for the first time in mid-December. My fiancé and I are on an extremely tight budget. My parents are helping but being the third daughter married, the wedding funds well has run dry. It's ok because my FH and I want a simple casual/pretty wedding. I have read that a reception should reflect the couple. Well, being quite boring people, it was a struggle to create something interesting for the guests and special to us. We love to read and curl up on the couch to watch movies and play games. If money were not object we would be married in a mountain lodge with a fireplace and snow all around.

So I thought a reception with the theme "A Cozy Winter Night."

My ideas include:

Serving warm drinks like cider cocoa and having little things like marshmallows, red hots, and other things for the drinks.

A grooms cake in the shape of antique books.

Giving them the drink mugs as the wedding favors.

Serving cookies.

It's an evening wedding so does that mean I need to serve a meal? I have no idea. I'm such a fish out of water when it comes to the wedding details.

If so, I am trying to think of comfort food for cold days such as soups/stews but that might be too tacky.

My colors are dark pink and purple with touches of gold.

Any comments are more than welcome. I will not be offended by

any criticisms. Also, if you have any suggestions on how to make it more wedding and less boring I would be absolutely appreciative.

Thank you.

loronda24 · June 2010

I think that you are onto a good start with your theme. It's very different and will make your guests want to come even more because they can't wait to see what you have in store. The groom's cake is an excellent idea. As for the food I have found it is best to go to a caterer and propose your idea and then they can better help with suggestions. Even if you chose not to use them they are a good sounding board, I think. Good luck. keep us posted on what you come up with.

lam11 · June 2010

Wow! I love the idea. I personally wouldn't do it but the idea is great. And like Loronda said your guests will want to come even more just to see whats in store. I love how since you can't have the mountain lodge you're still going with that theme by bascially bringing it to you.

Since your wedding is in the evening I would say do food because you don't want your guests leaving in a hurry because they're hungry. Go to a carter get ideas and then set a budget for food. If its not in your budget to use a carter...if you have cooks in the family ask them if they could be your personal carter. I have a chef in my family so thankfully I'm just having to buy the food and then she is preparing it for us

!

alyssalowe · June 2010

I like it! You could arrange it at a time that you wouldnt have to serve dinner if you can not afford it. You could always do an evening appitizers passing or a cake and punch (not nessescarily punch) or a full dinner depending on what you want/can afford. If you did serve food, I would go for more comfort then elegant. Think of what you typically eat for Thanksgiving (ham, turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese) to give a feelling of warmth. These could even be inspiration for apps. We are getting married 12/11/10 and its similar to what we are doing. Not tacky at all and honestly any guest we have seem to have told has loved it, and everyone serves chicken/steak pretty much.

GIving mugs away is a cute idea and fits great with what you seem to be going for. If you have extra money maybe put hot choc mix in them with chocolate covered spoons, if you cant its still very nice.

I like the serving cider and cocoa (you could provide spiked versions as well) google winter drinks and you will find tons. Also check out the knotties on the winter board under themes, they have lots of ideas. For winter weddings I like when brides think outside of the "hey its christmas almost" themes and I think your " a cozy winter night" sounds so romantic.

Just keep an eye out for unusual reception venues, we are getting married at a Sportsmans club, the down fall for some ugly decor is a GORGOUS huge fireplace that we are going to put the sweetheart table in front of. (oh and it was only $200 for the weekend to rent)

eslteacher28 · June 2010

That is a super cute idea!

alyssalowe · June 2010

http://www.promwishescatalog.com/prom/Star-Romance-Painted-Mug.cfm

really amazing mug.. 1.99 each.

quotequeen · June 2010

If your wedding is during a meal time you need to serve a meal. If you are starting at 8 o'clock or later then snacks and desserts is fine.

mbcdefg · June 2010

The hot drinks and the cookies are a good idea. The groom's cake and especially the mug favors can be easily skipped if you are on a budget ... I'd definitely scrap the mugs, in fact, but the groom's cake is up to you.

You don't need to serve a meal if your reception doesn't fall during a mealtime. Hors d'oeuvres and cake is fine, or a dessert reception is fine (just provide things like fruit and cheese as well, so it's not an explosion of sugar). Just price it out with caterers first, because sometimes it's actually cheaper to serve a meal.

This would be good for maybe a 7 p.m. ceremony and a reception until 10 or 11. That way, people can eat dinner beforehand. Or do a 2-5 p.m. wedding and then people can go get dinner afterward.

There's nothing tacky about soup and stew. Plenty of couples steer clear of "traditional" chicken and beef wedding meals, and they serve barbecue, pizza, burgers, ethnic foods, etc., and there's nothing tacky about that. If you're feeding your guests the proper amount/type of food for that particular time of day, it's not tacky. If you serve too little food during a mealtime timeframe, and people leave hungry, THAT is tacky.

gottahavashorti · June 2010

I think it sounds fun. If you do a late night ceremony and reception, you don't need to serve a meal. Otherwise I think soups, stews and other winter comfort food would be great. Ditto Stage on the potato soup and s'mores!

If you go with late night, add some more things to munch on. Hot spinach and artichoke dip, white pizza dip, Swedish meatballs, small cups of soup, brownies, etc.

TNMurray · June 2010

I think your idea is cute...many people have a candy bar at the end of the nght, maybe you can have a "hot chocolate bar" with differnt toppings. And Mugs can be very cheap, I have bought them for many favors for events.

cubswedding · June 2010

there are no bad wedding theme ideas, ever wedding should reflect the couple getting married. if this is what you want, it's a great idea. don't let anyone tell you anything different.
Serving soup is a great idea. What about mac and cheese? that's a cozy food. the hot chocolate bar is a great idea too, with different size marshmallow, different flavors of marshmallows, chocolate shavings, white chocolate shavings, candy canes, etc. for putting into the hot chocolate.

Catwoman708 · June 2010

That sounds like a very nice theme actually.

For an evening wedding, yes you need to either serve a meal, or plenty of filling finger foods that would equal a meal. It can be a very simple, hearty meal, like a few assorted cassaroles (or soups or stews), salad, and bread, with wedding cake for dessert. Maybe a soup/salad/finger foods buffet bar?

Or pots of fondue? Mulled cider or wassal (warm spiced wine punch or hard cider), Irish cream or other liquers for coffee, etc...

smvlpn · June 2010

I love the idea! Very cute and different. I love the mug idea, and you can get them on sale for just a few dollars each, and they are a useful idea that won't just be tossed away after the wedding. I agree with the idea of 7 pm or after, no meal is needed. Good luck with your planning!

delwell · June 2010

Idk how many people you're having, but if you're really on a budget I would just skip the mug idea. It's a nice idea but will cost you a pretty penny. Your idea of drinks is really cute, but you might want to talk to a caterer if you get food through them, because most of the time they include a few choices of no alcholic drinks.

You could also buy laterns in bulk and use them for centerpieces to go with your theme, and you will save on flowers!

desrosiersl · June 2010

love the idea - Comfort is good! Love the warm drinks and mugs/cocoa bar.

For meals, if at night most places will require it - due to alchol being served. Cocktail receptions are great for a Sunday afternoon, and then just finger food would work. Caterers can help with the menu ideas and are a great resource.

As for location, keep seraching - try a barn a reception. We have several around my area that have been converted into function spaces, or built new on large farm land that have a cozy feel with fireplace and plenty of ambience.

If you give your florist a general idea of what you like and they buy what's available at market at the time, you get more for your dollar instead of having flowers out of season flown in and expensive. Lots of ideas for centerpieces that aren't flowers. We had one center on dinner tables with candles, and on the tables in the other room were floral which cut the cost significantly as we only had 5 tables instead of 25

Have fun and watch for bargins. Be creative and have fun with the theme.

bbyckes · June 2010

I think that's a very cute idea. I really love the groom's cake in the shape of antique books.

brklynmindz · June 2010

Good for you! you know your own mind and who you are as a couple. Good luck on a bright future and have fun.

xandb · June 2010

You have great ideas for a creative, casual, and unique wedding - I've never heard anything similar before (and I lurk on here a lot), and just from the details you described, I can imagine the warm, comforting atmosphere and want to go to your wedding already!

But it's surprising to me that you feel so insecure about them. I guess not being sure how to plan a wedding is natural (don't fear - bring those sisters of yours in for experienced help and support!), but there is no reason you should feel who you are and what you're planning is boring. If you both love to read, you are already interesting people! Being considered boring for reading is so high school. Leave it behind you and instead think about some favorite stories and characters. Who knows, you might even use them somewhere.

Believe in yourself, you've got a great start and if you remember to incorporate things that make you happy, make you smile and laugh, your wedding will be absolutely wonderful. Good luck!

P.S. I guess I ought to add on the practical side of extreme-budget-planning that you don't really need to have a groom's cake - though I love the idea so much I'd keep it anyway, if you can still make ends meet.

Araleigh1 · June 2010

i love it i think that sevrving a soup and some rolls maybe baked potatoes would be an great cost effective way to provide a meal. and never think its too tacky its your wedding if you like it go for it. me and my FH are goofy abnoxoius people and we are having a carnival with blowups and nachos and BBQ. a cozy evening will be intimate not tacky. i would suggest looking online for places that do free personalization on cups so you can have your mugs personalized and twinkle christmas lighs you can do miracles with them. GOOD LUCK

phill369 · June 2010

I love this theme! And if you decide to do a dinner, the first meal I thought of was pot roast! HTH!

Alanda1318 · June 2010

Can I come? It sounds awesome! A mug is something people would use too which is awesome. I also thought Mac and Cheese! YOU could see if you could serve it family style as well I think that would at a homey feeling!

Try these guys for mugs we got our favors there (glasses), and they were great quality... they even survived my two mischeivous dogs tearing open the boxes and eating the mints inside! Good Luck!

http://www.discountmugs.com/nc/category/ceramic-mugs/

KellP15 · June 2010

I think your idea sounds great. You're right- the wedding should reflect you and your fiance. As for food, evening weddings seem to have a full meal. Talk to a caterer so you can get some sort of price estimate for what you want, and go from there.

ManyPenguins · June 2010

Great idea!

You mentioned you and your FI like to play games.....how about putting board games at each table?

zanneweilein · June 2010

II think it it such an adorable idea. I agree with so many of the other ladies, who said food is a must. Although I would say take the "snuggle" theme further and give away embroidered blankets.

Theresa626 · June 2010

Your ideas are awesome. Yes, you should serve a meal if you can afford it. If not, you'll need to change the time of your wedding to not around meal time so people can eat somewhere else.

bebonomi · June 2010

i love the idea! If you do decided to serve food, a great comfort food is mashed potatoes. You can do a mashed potato bar with different toppings, etc.

lrowe70 · June 2010

Echo the comments above: cool idea.

You do need to have food, however if cozy and inexpensive is your goal ,maybe you can get friends and family to help make dishes in a potluck style.

mags0607 · June 2010

I would make sure to serve at least some kind of food, and I do really like the theme. I see lots of candles, maybe a hot chocolate bar, cider, try doing a couple nice soups, maybe a mashed ptoatoe bar, and other winter foods. You don't have to do a ful meal if your reception doesn't start right at meal-time, but heavy apps and drinks would be good.

Also, the mug idea might get expensive if you are on a limited budget. You can skip favors all together if you want. but doing chocolate dipped spoons with mini marshmellows might be really cute, and somethng you could do your own if you are so inclined.

gotitang · June 2010

Oh my GOSH....I love the idea! You are going to wow your guests! There is nothing greater than having something differnt on an evening wedding! What I didn't hear was if you were going to have this wedding at a home or a venue? And how many guests are you thinking of having? Will there be music for dancing? Food is the easy part. A buffet is a great idea for an evening wedding and is alot less expensive. Maybe even have your family members do a Thanksgiving type meal. Since most families cook Turkeys and Ham in the holiday season. Plus that kind of menu is cheaper around the holidays. Craving a Turkey at a Buffet could be done with a friend in a chef suit (you know the kind with the big hats) Around holloween you could probably find a Chef Suit costume cheap! Throw some of your friends in them and let them serve away!

For table decorations I love the idea of the cake being in the shape of books! Use that idea further by having your centerpieces be books. Stacked in layers and maybe have lamps next to them that you remove the cords and place Votive in as light bulbs. (think lamps from the thrift store and convert to candles! This will make for a romantic glow at the tables. Walmart has many candle Votives for like $6.00 per 12 pack and you could place a bunch of Votives around the books.

I would add a few Christmas trees around the venue but not decorate them. Varying heights as if there are trees and your looking out a window! Maybe even make some mock windows next to the trees. Buy that fake snow and spray that around the tips of the trees. All this stuff can be picked up at a thrift store and you will probably have a blast putting it together.
I would love to come to a wedding like yours! Have fun with your idea's! Unique is always cool!

Skiptink · June 2010

Like everyone else, I think it's a super cute idea... especially some sort of potato (mashed or baked) bar! Doing a hot beverage bar - be it a cocoa, coffee, tea, cider, etc is awesome! A cookie bar would also be a great compliment to your drinks!

Is my reception idea stupid? Please help!

Re: Is my reception idea stupid? Please help!

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