Pros & Cons.
When envisioning your wedding reception, do you see the beauty of early
morning light dancing through the trees or an all night, all-out party?
There are so many different types of wedding receptions, there's going
to be one right for your style, AND your budget.
Breakfast or Brunch Reception
If you're having a sunrise wedding, or just envision getting married
bright and early in the morning, then you'll want to have a breakfast or
brunch reception. Traditionally, menus include breakfast classics like
quiche, frittata, and eggs benedict. It's great to have stations where
guests can get food like omelets, and French toast made to order. For a
touch of luxury, consider adding smoked salmon, caviar, or a carving
station with ham, turkey or roast beef. Spice things up with Bloody
Mary's, Bellinis, and Mimosas. And don't forget the coffee!
Pros: It's inexpensive; people will drink considerably less alcohol, and
the types of food served are typically cheaper as well. If you want to
get a jump-start on your honeymoon, a brunch reception perfectly allows
you to leave the same day.
Cons: Consider your guests, especially those who live two hours away.
They'll have to get up very early to make it to your wedding. Also, you
won't have as long to get ready in the morning.
A New Twist: A cocktail-style brunch. Have your caterer reinvent
breakfast classics into hors d'oeuvres such as mini-eggs benedict, bite
sized French toast, and scrambled egg bites topped with caviar. Keep
those Mimosas and Bellini's flowing!
A Lunch Reception
If you want a morning wedding, but need a little bit more time to get
ready than a breakfast reception would allow, consider a lunch
reception.
Pros: It allows you to serve some of the same favorite dishes that you
would at a dinner reception, for a cheaper price. You still may be able
to leave for your honeymoon the same day.
Cons: If you don't leave for your honeymoon that same day, you'll have
to figure out what else to do with the rest of your wedding day! Your
reception might also be more staid than it would be later in the
evening.
A New Twist: A picnic reception! Have your caterer (or a favorite
restaurant) package individual meals in disposable cardboard picnic
boxes. Spread out big pieces of colorful cloth and offer pitchers of
basil lemonade and raspberry iced tea. Be sure to have some tables and
chairs available for those who prefer not to sit on the ground.
Afternoon Tea
If you've ever been to an old-fashioned high tea, you know that it's an
indulgent fun time. It's not every day that we get to gobble tea
sandwiches and cute desserts in the middle of the afternoon. Serve a
variety of hot teas, champagne, finger sandwiches, tartlets, petit
fours, éclairs, and of course, wedding cake. Be sure to plan your
reception for the middle of the afternoon so that guests aren't
expecting a full meal.
Pros: Again, it's cheaper than having a dinner reception. It's also a
little different, and it's perfect for adding hand-crafted and vintage
touches.
Cons: Afternoon tea is a little girly, and so your male guests may not feel entirely comfortable.
A New Twist: Be a bit cheeky, and serve Long Island Iced Teas (a potent cocktail) along with the other tea offerings.
Champagne and Cake Reception
This is probably the least expensive type of reception, and it's what
was once the norm for most weddings. Gather everyone after the ceremony
for a bit of cake and a few toasts. But don't ask your guests to get in
their cars again. Have your reception in the garden of your ceremony
venue, or even right in the same room. I also suggest that you put on
your invitation "champagne and cake to follow" so that guests will know
there isn't a meal.
Pros: Did I mention already that it's cheap? If you're not a fan of big
crowds or lots of mingling, a champagne and cake reception is often
short and sweet.
Cons: Some guests might expect more. You might find that it's over far
too fast for your liking! And you'll have to skip out on some of the
traditional aspects of a wedding reception.
Cocktail Wedding Reception
Cocktail receptions can be elegant and stylish, and allow your guests to
really mingle and meet each other. They tend to be a bit more relaxed
than a sit-down meal, and often feel like a great party.
Pros: If your venue is small, cocktail receptions allow you to have more
people. They're typically shorter than a sit-down meal, and they allow
you to really circulate and enjoy the party.
Cons: While you might anticipate that a cocktail reception would be
cheaper, your guests will likely drink more than at a dinner reception.
Since most people won't be seated, some guests will have trouble seeing
events like the first dance.
Dinner Wedding Reception
The most classic and formal type of wedding reception, a sit-down or
buffet dinner allows you time to really celebrate your wedding, treat
your guests, and still have everyone up on the dance floor afterwards.
You'll start with a cocktail hour, then proceed into an adjoining room
for dinner, followed by dancing, cake cutting, bouquet tossing and more.
Pros: Your guests will feel like you really went all out, and feel special. You won't feel rushed or hurried.
Cons: Typically, this is the most expensive type of wedding reception.
You might also feel a little sad that your wedding night in the hotel
room is starting so late! (wink).
A New Twist: After an hour or two of dancing, your guests might have worked up an appetite again. Serve a "surprise" treat at
midnight of packages of donuts, an early breakfast, or even fast food.
