Dessert Reception: Anyone having/had/attended one?

Only been to cake and punch receptions. not sure how a dessert reception would work. But as long as the ceremony starts after 8pm, and there are drinks I would be cool with it. Maybe include Desserts & Drinks to follow on the invite, to make it clear there wont be food. Also I would keep it fairly short like 2 hours, because all those sugary calories and alcohol wont mix well for everyone.

We were just married this past Friday night and had a dessert reception. It was wonderful! And very cost effective. We purchased both flowers and desserts (including a two-tier wedding cake) from Sam's Club. We also included some fruit, crackers and pepperoni for some contrast and those who refrain from sugar. Be sure to include coffee! I don't have pictures back yet, but with the right amount of decor between different heights of sweets, it was gorgeous, too. Highly recommend!

She's considering doing a city hall wedding with maybe just their parents in the morning and then having the reception that night. The point is more the party with drinks, thought the desserts could be a good addition.

Faran gave you good advice. The only thing I would change is that I would do half sweets and half apps. The combination of sugar and alcohol can make people feel icky (for lack of a better word) pretty quickly. Believe it or not, pigs in a blanket are relatively cheap and a huge hit at almost every wedding. Swedish meatballs on little skewers will work. Flavored crackers and cheese cubes will work. Even a deli tray made up at the local grocery store or one of those really long sandwiches cut up into small individual pieces will work. In other words, not a full meal, but something non-sugary to munch on before eating the desserts. I'm trying to think of things that are relatively inexpensive (you can get pretty elaborate with the type of apps you serve, but you don't have to. All that's required is that there is enough for everyone).

Nice Maria! Glad to hear it worked out well...good thinking with coffee and some savory things.

I've been to a dessert reception. It was in the afternoon. It was great. There was cake, pies, cookies, truffles, cobblers, etc. There was champagne and a signature drink for alcoholic drink options. I would avoid heavy-duty drinks if there isn't something more substantial to eat.

All great suggestions, as always, Centerpiece!

I have never attended one, but I think it's a great way to save money! And I'd be happy to fly across the country to see your wedding, no matter what was served.

Yeah, I'd be excited to attend one too! I've got a mean sweet tooth so drinks and cookies sounds heavenly to me lol.

I attended one a couple of years ago, and it was more like what @Centerpiece mentioned - light apps, lots of dessert choices, a few signature cocktails and beer and wine. I know it was really budget friendly, but it didn't feel cheap at all. They did all their pics prior to the ceremony, and then did a candlelight ceremony with all of us, and we followed them into the cocktail/dessert reception. I loved it - one of the most fun weddings I've ever been to!

I would especially love it if the cocktails were more "after dinner" appropriate such as Irish coffee, Bailey's, spiked hot chocolate, etc.

Ooo good idea Staci!

Several years ago I attended one. Afternoon, summer wedding. Very nice anc they also had fruit and cheese.

Just make sure your guests understand that its only dessert and drinks. I worked a dessert reception just last weekend and 75% of guests left early. A group of people actually left and went to pick up a Lil Ceasars hot n ready pizza that was 5 minutes away and then came back and it in the parking lot.

I would be totally ok with attending a wedding like that if I knew that there was no dinner provided, so I could plan accordingly and eat dinner before I came. I just think to make it successful, communication about that is important... either on the invite or some type of enclosure so people know what to expect.

Yeah of course she'd make it plain on the invitation that it's a dessert thing. Plus a late start time will clue people in also.

I think that would be fun! I would probably also provide just a few fingers foods for anyone that doesnt do too many sugary things. Cheese and crackers, of a deli tray of lunch meat.

I would do a cocktail reception with appetizers and then a dessert buffet. Maybe some high top tables and dancing. Could be really nice.

We have done one. It was later in the evening so everyone had dinner prior to the reception. They had cakes, pies, brownies, a sundae bar, cookies, pastries and a hot coco and coffee bar. It was definitely different, but it worked out really well. Everyone loved it.

Yeah, appetizers could work too. The idea isn't to do like heavy apps as an alternative dinner so much as food to supplement the booze lol.