Concerns about late meals

Have apps and desserts and just tell people you’re not providing a meal. It’s not necessary since it’s a non-meal time.

If your ceremony is starting around 7 pm that's still a meal time and you need to serve enough food to equal a meal. 7-8 is not really all that late for dinner; even 9 is not uncommon for meals at events like weddings, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Most be a regional thing cause I agree with the apps and desserts Idea. If your ceremony starts at 7-8 you will not be eating till 9 or later. I would be super headachy if I had to wait that long for a meal.

Most formal dinner parties, State dinners , charity benefit dinners, and evening business functions do not start the meal until 8 pm. In your details info or on your website, note that there will / will not be appetizers with cocktails, and that people will be seated at dinner at 7pm, 8pm, or whatever. People can catch an early or mid afternoon snack, their responsibility, not yours. Don't worry about it.

I'm having a late wedding as well. My ceremony will start at 730 cocktail hour from 800-900 dinner first dances etc from 900-10/1030. We are having passed apps at cocktail hour. For dinner we're having London broil, chicken, mashed potato bar, mac&cheese, salad green beans and rolls

I agree with everyone, be very specific on your invitation/website/etc... about details so guests know. I don't think it's a bad idea to serve apps and desserts, but also agree that I don't think it's too late to serve a full dinner either. I think this is a know your guests over what's too late or not.

Thank you everyone, this has definitely been very helpful! If I decided on just apps and desserts do I provide a meal for the wedding party?

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I would definitely provide a meal for your bridal party before the ceremony and then they can participate in apps and dessert.

Providing a meal immediately after the ceremony separate from the rest of your guest instead of apps could be a little tricky because then they get a full plated meal and everyone else doesn't but chances are your bridal party has been there most of the day without a chance to leave and get something to eat.

I think that's ok. In my culture dinner serves later at receptions even if the invite says like 6p. My dinner didn't serve til 730p due to us pushing back the time. But it works out.

View Quoted Comment Well before the ceremony, fine. But not any time that other guests are around, and as hosts do not take yourselves and the wedding party aside for a more complete meal when guests do not get one. That is considered terribly rude.

Hey Faith! have you made a decision about this?