Wedding Reception Dilemma

[scoobysoo]

Hiya. My fiance and I are busy planning our wedding for next year, and are having a really hard time trying to sort out the order of the day. We decided that we didn't want to start too early as we don't want to be hanging around, so we're actually going to have the formal wedding meal at around 6pm. This works out great as it means our guests wont need more food at the reception. However, we also have a number of prospective guests that we could only invite for the evening reception, and I was wondering what people think about the etiquette involving feeding our evening guests. The reception will probably start at 8 at the earliest, and H2B doesn't think they would expect food, but I disagree. It would probably be about 15 guests so not really enough to cater for anyway. This is giving me a big headache!!!!

[CheekyChops]

Well if someone invited me to an evening reception, I would expect to be fed, even if only a buffet.

Maybe you could just lay on some nibbles rather than a full buffet but you should definately make it clear on the invitation because I think most people would expect food.

[maggie01]

We went to a wedding not so long ago. It was just the evening. We had been busy all day and didn't really have time to eat much before we went. We thought there would probably be a buffet of sorts and there wasn't. A lot of people were going up the bar getting bags of crisps. I think it is nice to offer something, even if it is just a few nibbles.

[enigma]

I have to agree with the others Scoobysoo that most people generally expect something to be laid on for them at weddings. If you want people to be relaxed and enjoy your wedding reception , the last thing you want is your guests nipping down the kebab shop to feed their faces ! Mark my words , this can happen. I remember a friend's wedding where there was no buffet and no-one had prepared for this. After several drinks , many of the guest nipped out and the dancefloor was very empty. I had the good taste not to leave but whispered to my hubby to get pickles with my chips and used the excuse that I was going to the toilet to quickly gulp down my chips at the front door.

If you are worried about the cost of a buffet , why not rope in family members and friends to help make things for you ? Like little vol au vents , sausage rolls etc. It doesn't have to be anything too elaborate and at least if you fill your guests up a bit they won't desert you and you can have the dancefloor jumping. Good luck when the big day comes , hope it all runs smoothly x

[beejaybee]

You`re evening guests will expect some kind of food. It`s the norm when you get invited to a reception. If the wedding reception doesn`t start until around 6pm, I can`t see how you`re going to start the evening one around 8pm. By the time everyones seated, the meal`s eaten, the speeches & toasts done, the chatting, photos etc. If the evening do is in the same place, the staff will also need to clear up after the meal & prepare it for the evening. If there`s entertainment, that will also have to be set up.