Small Wedding Reception: Doughnuts & Champagne

As long as it’s not during a non meal time I think that’s a great idea! I love both champagne and donuts
If you have people traveling from out of town I would make sure to list on the invitation something like “champagne and donuts to follow” so people know not to expect a full reception.

As long as it’s during a non-meal time* is what I meant to say!

Agree with PP: as long as it's during a non-meal time and your guests are local, this plan sounds fine!

I think it really depends on what time you plan on having it. If you have it during typical breakfast hours people will likely come expecting a full meal.

Out of curiosity what time is your reception? If you keep it short and sweet, you can do cake and coffee anytime. Guests can meet up afterwards to go out for lunch or dinner which is not inappropriate.


Be careful mixing donuts and champagne, especially on empty stomachs. In addition, something I have never seen mentioned and people forget about if they even know to begin with, is while alcohol on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster, mixing alcohol and sugar is way worse. Sugar in cake or other dessert allows alcohol into the blood stream at a much quicker rate so you get drunk faster and easier. Also not everyone likes the taste combination of champagne and sweets so try to have coffee in addition.

I think this is a fun idea if your ceremony is at, say 9:30 and donuts and champagne are served at 10 am. I think people know enough to only have a glass or two. Honestly, if I was invited to a wedding like this, I’d probably have a donut and a glass of champagne and then see if any of the other guests wanted to grab a bite.

View Quoted Comment My ideas lean towards 0930 ceremony and then short reception. I could do small bites to include fruit and hand full of apps. But I appreciate all of the responses!

Love donuts so i would love that haha. but yea like people have said if it's during a time where people don't expect a meal then it should be alright! plenty of people just do cake and punch after a ceremony only and it's fine.