8pm ceremony without dinner??

Full meal - people are coming from work and probably wont have eaten and will assume you're providing dinner

I've been to plenty of Friday evening social dinners in which we all meet at the restaurant at 7:00 or 8:00 PM. For such social occasions, that is dinner time (different during the week, of course), so it would seem strange to me to not have a meal at a Friday wedding at 8:00 PM. Saturday might be easier to pull off because most people have the entire day to structure for themselves (although I still wouldn't suggest apps at a Saturday wedding at 8:00 PM).

I'm not even sure what you consider heavy apps. As I said yesterday, I've been to cocktail receptions that were more like buffet weddings with multiple carving stations and hot sides than a heavy app reception. What were you thinking of serving?

You need food and drinks for sure. I agree with others that I would arrive straight from work without having eaten and would be disappointed if there wasn't a full meal (or the equivalent in apps) being served.

Whatever the format, I would be off put if I attended a wedding where I couldn't eat until I wasn't hungry anymore. However you work it is fine though.

I'm doing heavy apps for my Saturday evening wedding (reception at 8pm). It is much more expensive than providing a meal. The prep time for the caterer and the amount of apps you need per person make the price go up quickly. Please take that into consideration. I'm talking 45 dozen of each app.

I like Celia's suggestion. Although I would be HANGRY by the time it was food time.

Have dinner. 8 PM ceremony is kinda late.

Personally, I prefer heavy app weddings but to do it right it is definitely not cheaper than a sit down dinner. You would need stations and passed and a lot of them so everyone had plenty to eat. I would listen to PPs though and consider since your wedding is on a Friday, people may be rushing from work and not have time to eat beforehand. The reception is a thank you to your guests so whatever you do should be in the best interest for them and not just what is cheapest. There are many affordable options for food but just make sure everyone has plenty to eat.

Married on a Friday night but don't wanna offer dinner... which means everyone will be rushing to get off work, get ready, and get to your wedding, then find out all you have is apps. Heavy or no.

You are better off having a small guest list and offering dinner.

OP? Menu please? At least a rough outline of what you're considering? And the bar -- what type of bar are your hosting? Is is limited to beer and wine? Does it include a signature drink? Is it one of three levels of full open (all night)? I see your original post mentions apps and dessert, but what about the bar?

Yes it will make you look cheap. Especially on a Friday that is considered dinner time to some especially those getting out of work late. Those attending your wedding will not have time to eat properly beforehand. Yes it's saving costs for the couple because it's on a Friday, but think about your guests. Coming right after work....feed your guests.

If you don't want to serve a meal either have your wedding at 2 pm and done before 6 and do cake and punch or start at 10 / 11 pm and do desserts. Any wedding that starts after 4 or goes until 10, or covers a traditional meal time I would expect to eat a meal not snacks.

I disagree with Robin, why in the world would you start your wedding at 10pm??!!!! That is CRAZY late

You definitely have to have a full meal, lets say your ceremony is at 7 and ends around 7:30, that means food would be served at like 8 or 8:30 that isnt late for dinner on a Friday. I would be super annoyed if i rushed home, showered, changed, and rushed to your ceremony to find out that there is no dinner.

Menu and bar options? Or are we closing early for the holidays?

Of you don't want to serve full meal ceremony 8 or 830 might work but it would need to be clear the type of event it is so people don't expect a full meal. Expect some declines because of this.

It's definitely cheap! Like everyone has said people will be rushing from work to your wedding, likely without time to eat in between. If you're so hell bent on saving money, have a small guest list or a courthouse wedding.

Full meal at that time especially on a Friday when people would be getting off of work and then going to the wedding.

That's dinner time you need to have a full meal. If you are trying to get away with just appetizers then you need to have the wedding earlier in the day and not during a meal time.

ETA do not have a wedding at 10 or 11 at night!! That is just bonkers and inconvenient for your guests.

Congrats! That's also my wedding date! Yay!

I think if you specify that there will be no meal, do whatever you want! If the ceremony is at 8, I know I would have already eaten before arriving. Plus, l'd be totally fine filling up on desserts