A 2pm ceremony means a meal or apps?

Our wedding was set up like that too! This is what we did:

apps/cocktails at 3:30

Announced/cake/speeches/dances at 4:30

Dinner at 5:00

Late night food at 8:00

We had to have an early ceremony because of the church but we wanted our party to go for a long time and we thought lots of food and booze was the way to do it! We were right!

Love the italian buffet idea, you should go with a meal that way noone has to worry about dinner afterward

I would provide dinner. A buffet sounds like a good idea for your situation that way people can get as much or little as they want, so if they don't feel like eating a meal at that point in the day, they don't have to.

Thank you everyone. This really has helped a lot. I am calling caterer today to pick the food. I feel a lot more confident now

But now Im wondering if I should extend till 8...lol. I have a feeling everyone will still be having fun. If we end up eating around 4, a 6pm end time won't be long enough. Also, someone in here mentioned cake cutting before the meal?

As a guest, I'd be happy with heavy apps. Probably also very drunk too if you're having an open bar.