Did anyone have a Small/Cocktail Reception?

I did something similar but not brunch. It was an afternoon wedding. We had appetizers, cupcakes, and drinks. It went just fine. Our wedding started at 3:00 p.m. We did some pictures after the ceremony but our guest were inside mingling and getting food. It was a very casual affair so I did not stick to timelines, etc. No issues and everyone was happy.

@Nicole Beautiful!! Thanks that's just what I wanted. While we take pics everyone can snack. I was wondering if people would complain. I'm glad everyone was happy.

If it's at a meal time, which is almost every time, you need to do more than light fare. And if you're going to take photos while they snack, when are you going to visit with them?

Ceremony will at 10 am. The idea is they snack while we take pictures. Once we're done we can do the 1st dance,cut cake, take pics speech etc. Not planning on being there all day.

Define small

@Felicia Most guest are coming from out of state,Including FH and myself.

If the reception is not over by noon, you need a full meal.

@Enchanted still waiting on caterer to get back to us I will keep an open mind about the breakfast buffet.

We do these. Best time frame is the ceremony at 9:30, then cake, appetizers and punch/champagne from 10;00 TO 12;00. During the two hours the cake is cut and served and a dance or two is done once in a while, but not always.

I agree with @Enchanted. Our cocktail hour apps were spendy, definitely would look into doing an actual breakfast buffet. Your guests will get a full meal and you will get more for your money!

Well I'm sorry I can't please everyone. I've been to weddings where all they had light snacks. I was happy to celebrate the day with them not complain. I'd hope my guest would feel the same if not oh well. I'm not busting my budget to people please.

Why don't you do this somewhere local so people aren't traveling out of state without getting a meal?

@An, she may not have a "local" option. My family and myself and FH and his family and wedding party all live in different states -12 states in total. I chose the place with the most people, but even then that's only 20% of our guest count. So there may not be a place convenient for even most of her guests. And I get the budget concerns, just make sure the invitation says "light appetizer reception" or "heavy hours d'ovuerous reception" or "cake and punch" so people know and can decide to travel for it or not.

That being said, we did spend the money for a full meal reception, and cut our guest list, but still our wedding would be more than many could afford.

I don't think hoping people don't complain is the goal of most couples' planning. If everyone is coming from out of town, snacks are really not enough. Cut the list so you can afford to treat your guests well.

@RustyTheDog - understood but OP lives in ATL suburbs, just curious why she would host out of state instead of locally...not being snarky, legitimately asking.

ETA unless that is where wedding is being hosted and she is from far away...? idk

1. I don't have family where I live. 2 FH lives in different state. 3 We chose a state which is a good midway point for all of us to travel. No matter how you put it majority of guest will have to travel. So no local is not an option. I will include details on invitation so if not having a full meal is more important that celebrating my marriage. They can kindly decline to attend.

Wow, I'm glad I'm not invited to your wedding. A reception is thanking guest for attending the wedding but if you don't care about your guest why have it at all? And if you want to get rude about what people say then don't ask the question. Since you stated most will be from out of town you would be better to feed them.

Just because people expect a full meal at a MEALTIME doesn't mean they don't want to celebrate your marriage, that's just a normal time to eat. These people are supposed to be your nearest and dearest, so their comfort and experience should be your highest priority. With people traveling and spending money to get to your wedding, it really isn't too much to ask that they aren't hungry the whole time........ Nobody is being rude, that's just a fact.

ETA: If you can't afford to host that many people with a full meal, you don't cut the meal. You cut the guest list..

@AN I do not live in ATL. We all are traveling. Some family is in ATL already. Would be happy to cut the list. That is definitely an option. Once caterer give me options we will make that decision. Again i will tell my guest and note on invitation if its a problem. They don't have to come. My VIP's are fully aware of the plans and have no problem with it. So for anyone that does sorry if it sound harsh but they donlt have to come. I am about the marriage not the wedding. They'll get over it.