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Your
reception should echo your ceremony. Once you've determined
the time and style of your wedding and considered your guest
list and budget, you probably have a good idea of the type
of reception that will suit your needs. Listed
below are various types of receptions.
Morning
A breakfast or brunch reception is nice, following
a morning wedding at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.. This may be served
buffet style, or the guests may be seated at specified tables.
Pastries or a wedding cake should be served. Alcoholic beverages
are optional, but may include champagne, champagne punch,
wine, screwdrivers, mimosas or Bloody Marys.
Luncheon
A luncheon is similar to a brunch reception and may
be either sit-down or buffet style. It generally follows a
late morning or high noon ceremony and is served between noon
and 2:00 p.m. Serve coffee or tea with the wedding cake. Having
an espresso/cappuccino bar, or offering chocolate cups filled
with cordials adds a nice touch.
Tea
or Cocktail
Tea receptions usually start no later than 3:30 p.m..
Coffee, tea or punch, either with or without champagne and
wine, are generally served. Tea sandwiches or other finger
food, along with wedding cake is the basic requirement. This
type of reception is often the most cost-efficient and perfect
when there is a large guest list and a small budget.
Cocktail
receptions are held between 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. If only cocktails
are being served, with no dinner to follow, the reception
should start by 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. at the latest. Usually champagne,
wine, punch or beer is served, and in many cases, there is
an open bar. Hot and cold hors d'oeurves may be passed or
set out on buffet tables.
Buffet
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 buffet table is arranged with a variety
of food, and can either be round or oblong, with the food
placed around the edge. It may also be rectangular with food
served from behind one side, or with food displayed along
both sides. 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; have two buffet tables
- one at each side of the room - if necessary.
Food
Stations
Another idea that is unique and adds to the dˇcor
of the area is food stations. These are smaller buffet tables
which are set up around the room or in different areas of
a garden. It is especially nice when each food station has
a different theme and type of food. Decorate them with floral
displays and unique serving pieces. They will not only look
beautiful but will increase the mingling of guests.
Served
Dinner
A dinner reception is usually started between 6:00 and 9:00
p.m. In many cases, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served
in the first hour, with a sit-down dinner following. A cocktail
hour of some kind gives people time to go through the receiving
line and mingle with friends, especially when a sit-down dinner
follows. To keep expenses down, offer wine and beer, rather
than a full bar.
Ceremony
Site
Ceremony
Music
Flowers
Flowers'
Meanings
Reception
Site
Reception
Music
Wedding
cake
Transportation
Setting
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