Court House wedding with big reception on the same day..?

If you're going to have a big party, either make it later in the evening with appetizers and drinks (like 8-midnight), or serve a meal.

But I would recommend serving a meal. Guests will leave early if you don't properly host them.

If it's mealtime, you need hearty and many apps. That usually costs more than a sit down dinner or buffet.

Right, that makes sense. I was thinking if we just just passed apps to start the reception at 8, but then that also leaves a big break between ceremony and reception.

We do a lot of very intimate weddings before bigger celebrations; going to the courthouse is not the only option.

Passed apps are not fundamentally weird but keep in mind that if you're having a big party on a Friay night, people are going to be famished. You need to have LOTS of hors d'oeuvres and stations. It rarely saves any money.

Thanks, Celia. What other options would we have for a small ceremony?

And no gaps.

You could do a small ceremony at the venue of your choice then have guests arrive for the reception. I think stations & apps would be good, but I always prefer a full meal.

You could find a little restaurant and do a private ceremony first. I love that!

We thought about doing something like that but kind of in the line of thought with Justkidding, we couldn't imagine limiting it to certain people and then saying but you can come celebrate with us. It went all over the place in our thinking. But if your set on that then that is your choice.

Like Celia mentioned you could find a little restaurant, maybe have everyone there or private like she mentioned too and have the reception on a really nice pretty patio. We were considering this too but didn't do it.

I think regardless of time you need to make sure enough food is around, you could try to do it earlier in the day and do a brunch type of meal. Brunch can be refreshing and light and oh so yummy. The drinks are fun too and if you are worried about cost it generally can be cheaper.