Cake and punch reception?

The basic idea is that if the wedding is scheduled across a meal time that a meal should be available. It may be possible to have a wedding ceremony say at 1pm. Then have a reception from 2 to 5 with just snacks, cake and stuff to drink. (There should be enough healthy stuff for people who need to be careful what they snack on.) You might find a church venue where you could have a bunch of people but still have a casual reception. The problem with many venues is their additional requirements -- like certain caterers only.

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You're going to want to have the reception during a non-meal time so you wouldn't want it to fall during breakfast, lunch or dinner or you'd be expected to serve a full meal. Like the other poster mentioned, you'd have to find a venue that will allow this. A lot of venues either have their own in-house caterer or require you to use a preferred caterer. If you plan on going this route, I would list on your invite the time of ceremony wmand then say with a cake and punch reception to follow. I will also say not everyone can have cake and punch. For example, people with gluten allergies wouldn't be able to eat cake so if you have anyone with allergies I would have something they would also be able to eat.

View Quoted Comment Ok thank you! Maybe I’ll add a few other small finger food items! I’m still debating on a venue but it will be something like a community center or a family member's house or even a plain party hall.

Do what works best for you but like other posters said make sure it doesn't fall during a meal time and hopefully you will find a venue willing to do this. A brunch buffet is nice maybe 11-3 , you can so some breakfast pastries, bagels, croissants, maybe large chafing dishes with eggs or quiches and coffees and juice, I d do 2-4/5 for cake and punch or you can do desserts, apps, and cocktails from 8pm-12. Also make sure on your wedding website or invite you let it be known a full meal is not being served.

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The events at a house can become costly with the rental and setup of chairs and tables. And you might need additional bathroom facilities. The costs can start matching those of venues. It then would be a consideration of venues whether they have chairs and the round tables, for example.

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I have been to nice parties , not weddings but I don't see why it couldn't be a wedding, at a church hall or vfw hall. As longs as you have plenty of food for people to nibble on it doesn't have to be super formal. Its your special day do what works best for you and your partner. Have fun planning!

The above advice is good.. I’ll just add that this works really well when marrying at a church and then using their hall/community room. Ceremony followed by a simple dessert spread with coffee/punch right there on site. There are usually members in the church that are happy to help the couple with the set up as well. Good luck!

One of my sisters had a cake and punch for her first wedding. There was a coffee bar and, this was at least 15 years ago and not my wedding so I don’t remember exactly, but finger foods, veggie trays, and other inexpensive foods from a grocery store. She was married at Unitarian Universalist church, which is very informal and then she used their gathering room across the hall. Definitely possible. Just be clear a meal won’t be provided and don’t go over a traditional meal time.

Cake and punch is perfectly ok. As others have said, have it at a non-meal time, like 2 pm or so. I would have a non-sweet option for those that don’t want cake, like veggies and dip or something.

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My sister did this.
I believe the invites said something about “desserts and refreshments to follow” or “dessert reception to follow” something like that.
Everything ended before dinner-time, so there was no confusion or frustrated guests. They had cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, etc. and coffee, lemonade, punch, water, etc. They did not have alcohol. The guests seemed very happy! (If you do this be prepared for potential dairy free/gluten free/nut allergy restrictions and keep those desserts separate and well-marked.)Now they DID have a 2nd meal reception after all that. After about an hour or two they did their big exit, went and took photos, and after the guests had filed out they came back and joined the bridal party, family, and out of town guests for a very simple, low-key dinner. I know some people would say this is a big NO-NO but they made it work and I don’t believe there were any issues. Depends on your group, though!I’d say you probably can’t have alcohol if you don’t have a meal. Or if you do, maybe keep it to wine and champagne.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for this! I’ve been doing some digging and seem to have found what someone was calling a “light reception”. They had appetizer’s (hot and cold), deserts and non- hard alcoholic beverages. I kind of like the sound of this! It a tad bit cheaper then a full plated course and I think still enjoyable for a laid back reception and smaller crowd ( the guest list has dropped to 50).

Cake and punch has always been acceptable and polite. In some families and social circles, it is still the default expected reception style and full dinners are unheard of. Cake and punch is ample refreshments and is best served at a non meal time (1-4pm or 7pm and later). Some people say serving cake only is rude and should never be served on its own but that is not true. Make sure to say “Cake and punch to follow” at the bottom of the main invitation and leave it at that.


Contrary to popular belief, other foods are not served. Same for alcohol not being served, because cake only is common in religious communities where alcohol is taboo. You could serve cheese/crackers/fruit platter for diabetics, but other desserts such as tea sandwiches and other appetizers defeat the purpose and it is no longer a cake reception at that point but leaning into appetizers, which is also acceptable but not the same description. If someone does get upset they are not served a full meal, that is not your issue to deal with.