Weird gap between ceremony and reception

View Quoted Comment No, no waiting. My guest would go straight into the reception area. And I would feed you delicious boards or cheese from Italy three different choices and meat, delicious bread you can dip into oil or vinegar. With some great cake

View Quoted Comment Yes, very true, but now it will end around dinner time so they have that option practically to go have dinner

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While I don't agree with "making your guests wait", I see where you are coming from with the budget. Therefore, you should think about doing everything you can BEFORE the wedding (i.e; pictures, ect...). That way, you will be free to head straight into the cocktail reception after the ceremony. I will not tell you that you HAVE to spend more money than what you can afford and you (ARE right...it IS your day), HOWEVER, to accommodate and to make things easier for your guests, I would recommend you have a SHORT reception time (say like, 4-6?). That way, your guests can grab something to eat after the wedding or before they attend the after-party (if you have one), just my 2 cents. You will get told differently on here I am sure. And be prepared to get attacked and possibly berated (among other things) just by simply doing your own thing for your wedding day.

Best of luck and congrats!

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That sounds wonderful!

Oh my, How long is your reception going to last? It starts at 4:45-5pm and no dinner? You should really consider having more food unless you only plan on them hanging around until 5 or so.

My friends wedding did only drinks and appetizers, at first when my FH and I heard this we were like there is absolutely no way we will be full from this. However they did veggies, fruit, meat trays, cheese, and then did some heavier appetizers such as chilled salads, mashed potato martinis, mac and cheese bites, and a surf and turf on bread. She sent me the pricing for it and said it ended up being way cheaper than a full meal. I also was completely stuffed when I left.

I just don’t get any of this. You blatantly said you don’t care if your guests are hungry, your budget is more important. and your wedding is in 64 days and you don’t have this decided?? I’m 71 days away and menu and time frame has been finalized for 6 months, if not longer. Did you not pay for the space until 8? You need to feed them a meal. I don’t care if you decide to end at 6. If I’m there from 330-6, come and get dressed up and give you a cash filled card, you can feed me a real meal. Like point blank. Go to the courthouse if you don’t want to spend money on properly hosting your guests.

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Except here, OP is not offering heavier apps, ONLY charcuterie and cheese boards, which are not filling at all. It is basically some deli meats and cheese, maybe crackers and dried fruit - depending on how her venue prepares it. This is literally a snack. And there is no guaranty there will be enough for everyone because it is impossible to ration. Uncle Bill could eat half a cheese block before anyone else even gets to it.

You should feed your guests right away, while you take pictures. Then, you can eat when you arrive.

I'm glad you're having food and beverage available right after the ceremony and cutting the reception to end at 6. However, what people are trying to tell you is even a Charcuterie board is not enough for a 2 hour cocktail party, no matter how delicious it is or where the cheese is from. I applaud you for being mindful of your budget but you also need to be mindful of your guests who are taking their time and spending their money to celebrate you and your FS and you should host them properly.

Also, you can't have everyone going over to 1 table to get food, it will be a sh*t show and cause a log jam. You should either add stations (food served buffet style) that are located in a different part of the room so everyone is not huddled over the same table, and/or have servers with passed appetizers. If you don't have access to ovens in your venue, at least get a platter of sandwich wraps that can be cut in thirds. I know these comments sound critical but we are just trying to help you. Please take it as such.

Are you hosting an open bar? Your guests will be filling up on something - booze. They’ll be quite drunk without bar a full meal.

No open bar cash bar and we are hosting sodas and water

Take pictures before the ceremony. Don't have a gap and have your original cocktail reception right after. Only have it last couple hours.

Cash bar? How big is your wedding?
At least do beer and wine or a consumption bar.

Can’t afford open bar, and I’m having 90 guest

Is anyone traveling from out of town? Did you tell them, your options for food?

Yes some are most are in town. And yes I did

Hey wedding day twin! My wedding is also 63 days away!

Sorry for all the nasty posts here

I think serving food right away would be best. Is it possible for the food to be served right after the ceremony and for you and FH to sneak off for pictures with your fam/bridal party? Also, what time does your reception end? If it is short (until 630ish) I guess it is okay for there to be no dinner, as guests can go out for food later. If it lasts until 8pm, won't you get hungry too and want dinner?

I think it's best to serve the food, right the ceremony. Are you against doing the First Look pics?

Thank you for your kind tone, and yes I will serve apps right after my ceremony now.
And currently those are the choice are stuggling with. Cutting it short or spending the money for more food for my guest.

Im going to have to run through some numbers