Cocktail party for reception

It depends on how formal your group is, in my opinion. I've been to a lot of weddings lately where the bride/groom only served appetizers, but these were all semi formal or just straight up informal weddings. For very formal weddings, it's somewhat expected to have some sort of sit down meal.

At least that's just my experience Since your wedding is in between lunch and dinner, it might work out.

View Quoted Comment It's definitely going to be more informal type of wedding I want to be classy and pretty my big thing is I'm doing a cannabis theme so finding a venue has been proven to be kind of difficult but I think with a setting like this haven't been here I'm looking at it will be casual. I'm thinking that doing the cocktail party might have people be a little bit more social with less just kind of sitting and waiting

I think that’s ok. Similar to how some people only do cake and punch

I agree with Chantal, you have to know you’re crowd. But that really just sounds like an extended cocktail hour. Maybe try having a buffet. It’s less expensive and if you can get an outside vendor you can probably save even more.

A less formal wedding cocktail/non-meal reception is fine, but try to stay outside of a meal time, so maybe end by 4:30-5, at the latest. Once you're in that 5-6 time frame, some guests, quite reasonably, will expect a meal.

That’s our plan! We are doing a Friday night wedding with a reception that will start at 7:30. We will have a mix of traditional tables, cocktail tables, and couches to give it a lounge vibe.


Our event will still be very formal though! The event space lends itself to that, and our decor will as well (black linens, gold and green velvet accents, all candle lit).
The appetizers really are not saving us any money vs a full meal- but it’s the vibe that we care more about (and the lack of stress for seating arrangements, meal options, place settings, etc).
We are trying to be transparent about not having a plated meal, if folks somehow miss the memo that won’t go hungry, that is for sure (and will still have a place to sit and eat).

View Quoted Comment Ohhhh I like that idea. Never would have thought to have a lounge like feel for the reception.

As long as you're not having it during a meal time, I like it.
I say this as I once showed up to a reception at dinner hour to find that they chose to only feed the bridal party, and only serve appetizers to the guests that were only invited after the dinner. We left because we were hungry and chose not to return as it was out of the way. And we were not the only people who chose to do the same.

I love this idea actually! I think it takes away sooo much stress because people are soooo picky with the entrees!Passed hors d’oeuvres are the best in my opinion as long as there’s plenty to go around

I think it's fine. I agree with PP that it sounds like a cake and punch reception just with different food and drinks. It's a good call to end a bit before six though and maybe include on the invitations that there's a cocktail hour to follow so people won't expect a meal.

I personally wouldn't be a fan of standing for that long of a reception and I'd probably be hungry around 5 for a true meal.