Cake and Punch Reception

Some people simply put "cake and punch reception to follow" or something along those lines.

It’s where only cake and punch (maybe a few easy appetizers) are served. It’s shorter and more relaxed. No full meal, and not necessarily any dancing.

I would say if you do this then are you planning on having a ceremony long before dinner? Like Melle said just state cake and punch reception to follow so they know not to expect a large meal.

Cake and punch reception is great for smaller weddings. And yes, it’s just as it sounds... cake and punch or champagne. I’d have another beverage for those that may not want champagne (a punch of some kind). Just be sure to have your event in between meal times.

Cake and punch is exactly what it sounds like. You can serve lemonade or coffee instead and nix the "punch" part of the name. Many people don't like the flavor combination of cake and champagne and churches (where these are held) don't allow alcohol to be served. There are a ton of nonalcoholic punch recipes on Pinterest that people love.


Generally there are cream cheese mints and fruit platters but no savories. Then it becomes an afternoon tea reception.
It's held mid-afternoon or after dinner as a budget option and usually only lasts 2-3 hours because guests mingle. There can be dancing but typically not since they are most commonly held in church activity rooms and in many social circles it's the only way you see a wedding done.
On the invite, you say "Cake and punch to follow".

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We will definitely be having it in between noon and five. We are given a three hour window. During the winter, it gets dark earlier.

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This might be a silly question, but how do you choose a punch, champagne? Is this something I could ask a worker at Total Wine or Specs?

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This is what we want. The total event time from arriving to the venue, ceremony, photos, and cake/punch reception will be three hours. Since it gets darker in the winter (and it is outdoors), we were thinking having the event sometime between noon to five pm. Would this window be appropriate?

Punch at a cake reception is nonalcoholic. A simple recipe is sherbet of your choice with Sprite poured over the top.


Pinterest has a ton of nonalcoholic recipes. Sample them until you find something you and your family/friends like.
Do not purchase alcohol if your reception is in a church. Serve Martinellis cider or sparkling grape juice instead for toasts.

View Quoted Comment That is fine. Make sure people are aware of weather to dress appropriately for outdoors.

This is exactly what we are doing for our mini ceremony this year. We are not big alcohol drinkers and our venue doesn’t allow it so we are doing mini martinellis and individually wrapped cupcakes due to Covid as well. So no cootie sharing. There is do dancing or anything just like a social hour afterward with the little bit of sweets and calling it a day!

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Oh perfect! And you can maybe have some light bites like cheese and crackers, fruit platter or veggie platter if the venue allows. Sam's club has some cheap ones.

View Quoted Comment You’ll have to let me know how it turns out! Individually wrapped cupcakes is a great idea! Are they a variety of flavors?

View Quoted Comment Yes! We are having about 40 people and the cake place does them by the dozen. So we have lemon with raspberry, which also our cake choice for the big wedding next year, chocolate with vanilla frosting, red velvet and a marble vanilla with chocolate frosting! So 48 total! I am very excited

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Noon is lunch time. Cake and punch weddings should be held between 2-5 pm or after 8 pm in order to avoid meal times. Start your ceremony at 2 and segue directly into the reception, wrap up at 5, and you're good to go.

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Not all churches have a problem with alcohol.

We are doing a cake and punch reception as well! We will have cake (obviously) as well as some fruit and veggie trays and a few other snack type foods, and an assortment of beverages to choose from. On our invitations we put "light refreshments to follow", along with the fact that it is at a non meal time we haven't had any confusion about it yet.

View Quoted Comment What beverages are you having?

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We are probably going to have water, a few types of soda, sparkling cider for a toast (we don't drink), and coffee. We may also do iced tea, but we aren't sure yet.

This is totally fine! People do it often. Just call it a "cake and punch reception" on the invites and most people will know what that means.

The only other thing is to make sure you don't time it at dinner time. So if you have a 4:30 ceremony that ends at 5pm, people will be hungry for dinner and leave earlier because they're hungry. If you pick a mid-afternoon time, then it won't conflict with "normal" dinner times.