Meal or No Meal?

vanillabeen15 · August 2009

I'm getting married at 2p.m. and we want to have a super huge party after the wedding. The only issue we have is whether or not to serve a meal. I know people will start getting hungry between 5 and 7 and we went to party well into the night without having to go to another location. Our reception site lets us have the place for 7 hours and we'd definately like to get our moneys worth on that. Any suggestions? -Laura

Lasairiona · August 2009

What time does your reception start? Most people don't eat a full meal at non-meal times, while the Knot boards in general say you must serve a full meal regardless of the time. If you are going to be there for 7 hrs and dinnertime falls somewhere in that time, you need to serve a full meal at the regular dinner hour, whenever that is for your guests. However, you can't have a ceremony at 2pm, start the reception at 3pm and then wait till 7pm to eat. In which case, your cocktail hour would start at 3pm when you arrive, guests munch on whatever you serve and socialize. Then at 4-4:30, you adjust the time and serve your full meal, then the rest of the time is for the party.

mbcdefg · August 2009

I would serve a meal and then arrange for some snacks later in the evening, for those who want to stick around to party. Seven hours is a LONG time, and personally I think I might bow out after about four or five hours (except for a close friend or family member). Are you having cocktail hour? If so, do some light hors d'oeuvres (maybe fruit, veggies and cheese & crackers), then serve dinner. Or go right into dinner once your guests arrive at the reception site. Then have dancing if you want it, and cut and serve the cake about three or four hours into the party ... a lot of people take the cake service as their cue to leave if they're ready, so you don't want to keep them waiting seven hours for cake. Then go back to dancing, and have a couple more rounds of hors d'oeuvres brought out an hour or two later for people who want a snack.

I <3 Seabass · August 2009

Will alcohol be served during this 7 hour reception? Whether it's meal time or not if people are going to be drinking for that long it would be wise to feed them enough food to constitute a meal so you don't end up with a drunken mess.

Lasairiona · August 2009

Yes, a meal of some sort is required if you are serving alcohol. Otherwise you will have lots of drunk sick guests on your hands and in some areas, you will be held fully responsible if that happens.

flutgrl1 · August 2009

I disagree that people won't eat at nonmeal times. Most people don't all eat at the some time no. 1. Also, most weddings I've attended have been in the afternoon, and were just like evening weddings, ie dinner etc. So def serve a meal. heavy filling apps. buffet food. whichever you prefer!

vanillabeen15 · August 2009

The reception will be at 3 with the wedding party arriving around 4 after pictures and all that. Another option we have is to just rent the place for a bit do a cake reception and then go somewhere else for the closest friends (like a bar) but we wouldn't be able to pick up the tab and i think that might be kind of tacky?

Lasairiona · August 2009

Don't do anything that requires your guests to open their wallets for any reason.

Simply Fated · August 2009

7 hours with no food? Do you really need to ask whether or not you should serve food?Of course you don't have to, but if you want guests to actually stay for 7 hours, then you might. You really think people will stay there from 2pm through about 9pm without a meal? Yeah, ok. Chances are, people will leave way before the 7 hour mark to get food.And if you expect 7 hours of lots of partying, (ie, alcohol) at this party with no substantial food (not even a "meal" but something) to help absorb the alcohol...well, have fun scraping the intoxicated guests off the ground surrounded in pools of their own vomit at the end of the reception.If you have your reception during average mealtimes without serving a meal, it would be nice, in my opinion, to mention so on the invite so that people will know they need to leave in order to eat a proper meal at dinnertime. And, no, they most likely won't come back after they are done eating dinner.

lyndausvi · August 2009

Most people don't eat a full meal at non-meal times, while the Knot boards in general say you must serve a full meal regardless of the time. Really? Have you every worked in the restaurant industry? People eat full meals ALL day long. There is a reason why some restaurants are open ALL DAY long. That's because 'meal time' is a subjective term. I know a few restaurants in our small island that are open from 11am until 4am (and yes typical 'non-meal time' can be their busiest times) You might be suprised that not everyone has a set schedule. I know I do not eat any meal the same time everyday as my work schedule does not allow that. I just eat when the opportunity comes to me.To the OP. Regardless of when your party starts a 7 hour reception need to have food. Period. Especially if there is alcohol and dancing.

Lauren Exley · August 2009

If you would like to have a party for 7 hours, then you MUST serve a meal. You cannot expect people to go that long without food, or to not eat a meal at a typical meal time. You do not need to serve a meal if you have a cake & punch reception for, say, two hours following your ceremony. Nor must you serve a meal if you have a cocktail party, starting at 8 pm, with hors d'oeuvres. (You don't need to serve a meal just b/c you are serving alcohol....but some type of food is always necessary)

Meal or No Meal?

Re: Meal or No Meal?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards