If you have determined the time and style of your wedding, and considered
the number of guests and size of your budget, you probably have a good idea of the type of
reception that will suit your needs and desires.
Listed below are the various types of receptions:
Morning: A breakfast or brunch reception is nice
following a morning wedding at 9 or 10 o'clock. This may be served buffet style, or the
guests may be seated at specified tables. Whatever the breakfast menu, hot coffee and tea
are a must. Pastries or a wedding cake should be served. Serving alcoholic beverages is
optional but may include champagne, champagne punch, wine, screwdrivers or Bloody Marys.
Luncheon:They generally follow a late morning or high noon ceremony and
are served between 12 and 2 pm. They may be either sit-down or buffet style. Your
reception coordinator or caterer will have suggestions, according to your budget.
Tea or Cocktail: Tea receptions are generally held between 2:00 and 5:00,
usually starting not later than 3:30. Coffee, tea or punch, both with and without
champagne or wine, are generally served. Tea sandwiches or other finger food, along with
wedding cake, is the basic requirement. This type of reception is the least expensive to
have, and perfect when there is a large guest list and a small budget. Cocktail receptions
are held between 4:00 and 7:30 pm. If only cocktails are being served, with no dinner to
follow, the reception should start by 5:30 or 6:00 at the latest. Usually champagne, wine,
punch, or beer are served and in many cases there is an open bar, depending on the budget.
Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres may be passed or set out on buffet tables.
Dinner: A dinner reception is usually started sometime between 6:00 and
9:00 pm.
At a sit-down reception, the guests are served at the table. It usually,
but not always, has a more formal feeling, and most of the time is preceded by a cocktail
hour so the guests can mingle. A sit-down reception provides for more organization. It is
easier to get the guests' attention when the traditional ceremonies, such as cutting the
cake, are to begin.
A buffet reception is one in which the guests serve themselves. They may
choose to sit at a table of their choice, or seats may be assigned. The way the tables are
arranged will be determined by the area available and the number of guests. Try to avoid
making the guests wait in a long line. For a larger number of guests have two buffet
tables, one at each end of the room.
Food Stations are another unique idea. They are smaller buffet tables
which are set up around the room, or in different areas of a garden. Try a beautiful
display of cheeses with breads and fresh fruits displayed in baskets, or an ice-carved
boat filled with jumbo shrimp and crab legs. Or you may add to this eating adventure a
chef carving a roast, serving hot won tons from a wok, or a chicken crepe made right in
front of the guests' eyes.
