Evening Wedding Etiquette

Re: Evening Wedding Etiquette

• laurenclaire1386

  

  June 2010

  If you do change the time to 6:30, then yes, you do need to provide enough food to constitute a meal. But if you go with 8, a dessert reception is perfectly fine. Just because you're having a wedding doesn't mean you must provide a meal, no matter what time the wedding takes place. Time dictates how much food you need to serve.

  
  Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince

  Report0 Reply
• TimsGirl10 member

  

  June 2010

  Thanks- that is what I was thinking- that a later wedding, with "dessert only reception to follow" on the invites- and people would know they need to eat before they come.  I think I'll stick to my guns on this one and go with a later wedding time/desserts only.
  
  Any other insight is appreciated.

  March 2011 September Siggy Challenge FAVORITE MOVIE BIO updated 8/15

  Report0 Reply
• tenofcups4me member

  

  June 2010 edited June 2010

  Yes, at 6:30 you have to have a meal. At 8 on a Friday, I guess you don't but it really depends on your crowd and where you live. Most people I know tend to work late and would likely just get changed at work and run out in order to make an 8pm wedding -- ie, no time to eat so they'd be starving by the time they got there. I think that's even more true for larger metro areas where people might have to travel a while just to get home from work or to a venue site, though it's probably not as much an issue in smaller areas.
  
  At any rate, for my crowd, I'd still have lots of food even if it starts at 8. But you know your friends and family better -- would they have time to eat before an 8pm wedding or not?
  
  Edit -- we cross-posted. If it's only dessert, definitely make sure that info is on the invitations. Even then, I'd strongly recommend heavy apps in addition to dessert, but when I entertain, it's always my personal style to put out tons of food.

  Report0 Reply
• AutumnFair member

  

  June 2010

  My friend had a Friday night wedding. Her ceremony started at 7:30 and she did a dessert only reception (she also had finger food as well). Worked out perfectly, my parents loved it because they didn't have to stay around all day and night. I was in the wedding party and I was still able to go to work, do my hair, and got dinner (the bride ordered out for everyone). So as long as you do late enough (probably after 7) you should be fine. 

  Report0 Reply
• Simply Fated member

  

  June 2010

  6:30 in a Friday is dinnertime, but it's also tricky, since many people might be rushing home from work.
  8pm dessert sounds fine to me. It might get a bit tight for some people, but I think, for the most part, people will figure out what they need to do to arrive on time.
  

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• TurtlesAllTheWayDown member

  

  June 2010

  I think your idea is perfectly fine etiquette-wise. However, maybe have a FEW savory things, like cheese and crackers. I'm not big on desserts... but obviously I'd pick something up before.

  my read shelf:
  
  40/112
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• kangel7 member

  

  June 2010

  Most people wouldn't want to eat a full dinner really late at night, so if you do have a late ceremony (8pm or later), I think it's perfectly fine to have a dessert-only reception. I would just make sure all of your guests are aware that it's strictly dessert beforehand, so they don't come too hungry. If you are going to have an earlier ceremony like your FI suggested, I would definitely provide dinner for everyone.

  Report0 Reply
• abglover2003

  

  June 2010

  Why don't you do late night snacks and some desserts?  No formal meal, but a few yummy appetizers along with the desserts?

  Report0 Reply
• MeaghanandMichael

  

  June 2010

  If i were running from work to make your reception after a long week of work, I would be surprised you did not offer a meal. In running from work I probably would not have time to eat and I would imagine many of your guests would be in the same position. This is why I would reconsider what you are offering as a hostess.

  
  RAWR!
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• chuygrl77 member

  

  June 2010

  I think it being worded on the invites would give people plenty of time in advance to know that a full meal is not going to be served and agree that the time dictates what will be served.  If you ceremony is at 8 and the reception starts even later, people shouldn't expect a meal.  Apps and finger foods along with dessert sounds perfect.

  

  Report0 Reply