Types of Wedding Receptions

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Breakfast or Brunch

Food is fruit, bread and other breakfast foods. Reception usually begins around 10 or 11am.

Advantages:

• Inexpensive.
• You can leave for your honeymoon on the same day.

Disadvantages:

• Less time for you to get ready.
• Hard for guests who need to drive a long distance.

Luncheon

Food is sandwiches, salads, pasta and fruits. Follows a late-morning wedding.

Advantages:

• Inexpensive.
• Allows for driving and getting ready time, but early enough that you don’t have too much time to get nervous.

Disadvantages:

• If you've got a band or DJ for dancing, many guests may be less likely to get up and "boogie" during the day.

Tea Reception

Food is finger sandwiches, nuts, chocolate and cake. Reception is usually held between 2pm and 5pm.

Advantages:

• Least expensive.
• Great for a large guest list and a small budget.

Disadvantages:

• The guests aren’t offered a full meal.

Cocktail Party or "Appetizer Only" Reception

Food is hot and cold appetizers, passed around or on buffet tables. Reception is usually held between 4-7pm.

Advantages:

• Still in the evening, can be formal or informal.
• Usually less expensive than a dinner reception.

Disadvantages:

• The guests aren’t offered a full meal, even though it is dinnertime.

Dinner Reception

Food is served as a sit-down meal, a buffet or in food stations. Meals vary, but usually several dishes are offered and a cocktail hour precedes the formal reception. These receptions begin anywhere from 6 to 9pm.

Advantages:

• The most common time for a reception.
• Guests are often in "party mode" ready to dance the night away.

Disadvantages:

• Typically the most expensive reception type.