Blessing of the Food - Reception

PLEASE at least have light refreshments during that 30 minutes. Fruit and veggie platters come costco with lemonade, iced tea and water will work.

You need to provide something for your guests to nibble on and drink while you guys are taking pics. When you finally allow your guests into the reception site, when you arrive after pics, you may have the prayer then. Then you would either be given your plate or be the first to go thru the line.

You get your food, say blessing before eating to all, then send people to the buffet? That is bizarre. If you are set to eat, then say a blessing to each other, while other people are getting their own. They can each say grace before they ear if they choose. But you doing it publicly and all listening while you have food in front of you when they have yet to go to the buffet, does not sound polite at all. You may serve yourself with guests right behind you in line. You may have wait staff get you food, while others line up for theirs. But as you are not royalty or the heads of a state church, you do not make them attend to your blessing with food in front of you, while they wait. If you want all saying a blessing or grace at once, serve a plated dinner with enough wait staff to serve everyone in the place, then say your group prayer before eating. If a slow trickle of people are coming out of the buffet and sitting down to eat, let them each say their own blessing, or not, at the appropriate time. As far as I know nothing in Christianity says a group blessing is better in any way. So let them pray at the appropriate time and not while you have your food and they are waiting.

View Quoted Comment I actually second this. I feel that’s rude as well. Either do a blessing before getting the food or do it on your own. Especially since you’re making them wait while you do pictures

I totally disagree with Judith. Although I don’t think you should say it after you get your food, I think how she responded was disrespectful and inaccurate. I think if he blesses the food before anyone gets theirs it would be most appropriate.

I agree with others that blessing before anyone gets food is the best etiquette. Is there a reason you can’t just wait the extra 2 minutes to get your food after?

View Quoted Comment Yes, standing around with not even beverages ( non-alcoholic fine) first makes waiting while couple has food and they don't, adding insult to injury.

And maybe I assume too much, but did you not include a prayer or blessing or invoke God during the ceremony, the last thing guests did before dinner? Though you of course did something else, they will be standing around between prayers. Sounds a little off in the timing. I think you could find a more polite and hospitable timeline.

I would swi it before anyone gets food. Try to keep it short and sweet. Also please do a bit of a nibberz if you can afford it maybe go to the teciption say the blessing then go get photos taken while others eat. I know it is not traditional.

Hey there! I'm a Christian as well and have a very similar situation. Our ceremony is in the evening and right after will be pictures with the bridal party. We will do appetizers despite the budget, keeping it at budget friendly price, because we are the host and well hungry tends to become hangry and we wouldn't want that lol. Also some water with ice and if they can infuse some orange or lime slices before starting the open bar. I think some things can be better said regarding previous post and before the WW police come after the post lol I understand you're just asking a question and some may say we're not here to pat you on the shoulder for such an outrageous question if that crosses someone's mind, but out of respect and courtesy, definitely inform your guests before eating Grace will be said and whoever is hosting can mention this and also mention to please line up after/behind the Bride and groom to continue with the dinner portion. Something to the effect where it won't make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. Hope this helps!!

View Quoted Comment Yes, I also thought that this was an odd way to order it. To Harley, the original poster, I would suggest simply blessing the meal before ANYONE gets a plate, informing people that the bride and groom will get their platee, followed by the guest. Just like they do at many Church potlucks, when they say that the children come up first for their food, followed by the adults. 👍😊

As for the 30-minute wait, I do believe that it is easier for guests to mingle when they have refreshments, otherwise they get antsy. My cousin had fruit and vegetable trays out for guest while we took photos. She also had water and lemonade. You have to remember that many guests likely decided to forego a meal before the ceremony, knowing that the reception will have food. You do not have to be extravagant, simply provide a little something. 😊

We will have a blessing before any of us get dinner which will be a buffet as well. We're asking my FFIL to do the blessing and that will be it. Short and sweet. That's how it was at my MOH's wedding too, before anyone went to get food.

Technically, you are doing a cocktail hour, because you're making them wait for more than a few minutes. You really should serve appetizers and a drink of some sort.

Why do you need to go get your food first? Have your DJ or Emcee manage who gets up to get food. After you pray, you, your FH, and the bridal party and family can get food first, then he'll dismiss tables.

Hi, as a wedding coordinator, when it comes to buffets the blessing would come before anyone is served food.
We serve our bride and groom regardless of plated or buffet at our venue. I would see if that's an option. So the timeline would go like this:
4:00 pm Ceremony
4:30 pm Bridal Party Photos / Light Refreshments for Guests
5:00 pm Grand Entrance
5:10 pm Blessing of the Food
5:15 pm Buffet Opens / Bride & Groom are served by staff

Hope this helps!

You should be providing refreshments for that gap.