[Iris79]

My fiancé and I are planning our wedding for October. We are having the ceremony and reception at the same location. The cost of the facility (which is a boat that cruises from 7:30-10:00) does not include the food served and we can only use the caterer provided by the reception venue. This is a silly question really because I know that it is totally improper to have a full blown wedding, invite people to a reception and not serve a meal. My fiancé, however, is dead set on not serving a meal. He feels we should only have the cake and refreshments. My parents have offered to help (even though they can't afford it) but I feel this is causing even more problems. How bad is it to invite people to a reception and cruise and not serve them a meal? We will have a cake and refreshments. We also have a website for the wedding and plan on announcing that following the ceremony there will be a cruise with cake and refreshments only. That way, if people don't want to come because we are not having a meal, they can plan on not attending or coming for the ceremony only since the boat is not cruising during the ceremony. I would appreciate your thoughts on this dilemma. Thanks for your time.

[Etiquette Now]

Dear Cruising,

At that time, it may not be too bad not to provide an entire meal. However, your guests are captives on the ship and cannot go anywhere if they get hungry, which they just may. Cake doesn't get it when people begin to mingle and drink, especially if it is alcohol.

It would be best to provide heavy appetizers.

If you invite, you must host.

Best wishes,

Best wishes,