My fiance and I are having a very small, family-only, wedding ceremony at a local chapel (we could only invite 20 people). We are having a reception the next day from 2-4pm at an upscale sandwich shop owned by a couple of friends. I bought a cake which feeds 80 people. I think I am going to purchase a couple of cheesecakes as well to offer a selection. We are also going to have nuts, punch, soft drinks, coffee, tea and a selction of fruit. Is this enough food for an informal, dessert reception? Also, what type of activities could we do during the reception? I am hoping people will mingle (we have about 100 people coming) but I also wanted to have the traditional cake-cutting. I don;t know how to direct these activities and I'm afraid everyone will just be staring at each other. Do I introduce our parents? Even though it is an informal affair, I will be wearing my dress and the groom will be wearing a suit. We want it to be classy, yet intimate. Any advice on the food, activities, etc. would be appreciated.
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Jul 4, 2007, 3:36 PM)
When you say your dress, correct me if I am wrong, but I take that as meaning you will be wearing the wedding gown you were wearing the day before. And, that may look out of place to the guests. Plus, if we are talking about wearing the gown/dress twice, I would not recommend doing so unless you are going to have it cleaned/freshened up between events. If we are talking about two different types of bridal attire, then no problem.
As to the reception activities, most sandwich shops are not really big enough for any major movement especially if you have 100 people. So, I believe that your only "activities" will be introductions, speeches, cake cutting and lots of mingling with music in the background.
Regarding the food, given what you say you are going to provide, you should have enough for this short Sunday dessert reception.
Cheers! Rhonda Allen, Bridal Consultant New Beginnings Weddings
Yes, I was planning on wearing my wedding dress. It is fairly informal but it does have a train (which would be hooked on the bustle). It doesn't have any sequins/beads....it's a white brocade gown (tank style) with flowers. I had read earlier posts saying that the guests may want to see the bride in her dress since they didn't see her at the wedding so that is why I planned to wear it. We're fairly easygoing people and I really don't think that any of our guests would act peculiar about my wearing it....if they do, then I'll just get new friends.
I actually went ahead and ordered a groom's cake so we will be having 2 cakes and fruit. Thank you for helping me!
(This post was
edited by lovedchicago on Jul 5, 2007, 7:47 AM)
I am definitely not a wedding planner, and not usually in the thick of it, but it is perfectly fine to wear your dress as long as it matches the formality (or informality) of the venue. In the etiquette world, this is appropriate. And, in my limited experience, many do want to see the bride in her dress. But, as I said, I'm not in the thick of it.
Also, I completely agree with the food and beverages. For, this time of day, your guests usually don't expect more. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Jul 5, 2007, 4:46 PM)
Informal Dessert Reception Ideas
