How Common? Cake and Punch Reception

It's actually becoming, if it hasn't already, a pretty common thing. Especially with the amount of guests that you have and you're holding it during a non meal time, works out perfectly. I'm sure you'll be ok. Letting your guests know ahead of time will work in your favor because they'll know what to expect and plan accordingly.

I don't think people will be offended, especially if you hold the reception during a time frame that is in-between meals! Cake and punch should be enough to be provided during that time.

I have personally never been to one. But it seems like it fits your vision perfectly! I don't think your guests will be offended especially if you advise them ahead of time like you are planning.

I have been to a few as they are pretty common in my family. We actually decided to go with cake and punch for our wedding as well. We made it clear on our invitations and honestly I think my FMIL is the only person who took offense to it (long story, but she doesn't love anything we've chosen for our wedding). One thing that was mentioned to me when we decided to just do cake and punch is that out-of-towners may be less likely to make the trip, but that hasn't been the case for us.

They seem fairly common, but I’ve never attended or been invited to one myself.

These actually used to be common everywhere until the last decade. A dinner at a reception was unheard of outside of the movies. It's still done many places but depends on the social circle. They are very popular for church weddings where it's customary/expected to invite the entire congregation on a limited budget and the church doesn't allow the reception activities that so many are used to.


When I was growing up in a large city I used to help a family friend at church set up weddings (her paid job there) most weekends out of the year and every single one was a cake reception. I can count on one hand how many dinner receptions I've attended, with most being anniversary parties instead of weddings themselves.
In my family, even though I'm one of the last of the over 20s to get married, I would be 3rd or 4th out of 50+ cousins to choose a dinner reception over cake and punch. That's even with people travelling from other states.
Bottom line, they are very common and budget-friendly. Don't let anyone dissuade you if that is what you want.

View Quoted Comment Are you literally having cake and punch with no extras? My mom and dad suggested it since our guests are immediate family and close friends. My brothers told us to save our money for a great honeymoon! Everyone has unanimously said they wish they didn’t spend so much on the ceremony and reception.

I’ve personally never been to one but I don’t think they’re a bad idea

View Quoted Comment As I said to previous poster, my siblings all had the big wedding. All have said to learn from their “mistakes”. They wish they put less money toward ceremony and reception and more toward a wonderful honeymoon. It’s not a common practice in our social circle, but I’ve seen a little of everything from typical ceremony and reception to flying to Vegas with immediate family. I think my familoverall is pretty open now that I put more thought into it. I think it’s ok for our small crowd. Now if we invited everyone under the sun, it would be a different story.

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We will also do a meat and cheese tray or something like that for people who don't like or can't eat the cake, but we don't plan on doing a ton of food or anything like that.

That's a lot like ours as well. When we were planning we just couldn't get on board with spending so much money on one day, and everyone we talked to regretted how much they spent on their weddings.

I've never attended one, and they are definitely not common where I grew up or live now. It's a myth that these were the ONLY type of reception everywhere until recently. Whether they are common or not has always been very regional.

So while they are perfectly acceptable (especially the way you are doing it outside a mealtime and keeping it short), you may end up with some confused guests if they aren't the norm in your area.

So, the best thing to do is let people know via the invitations (like you are doing) and then don't worry about anyone being offended or disapproving. Some people may choose not to travel for a short reception, and that's OK, but as long as you are clear about your plans, you are in the clear.

I have personally never been to a cake and punch reception. My mom said that used to be standard practice back in the 70s though! I was the MOH at a wedding that just had appetizers and a candy bar though (Halloween wedding, so you could make your own bags of trick-or-treat candy).

The last one I attended was during college, about 35 yrs ago. As Chrysta mentioned, it was pretty common then, and I think in the midst of Covid wedding planning it's making a resurgence. Especially since yours would be during the afternoon, I think it is a great option. (My only concern would be if you will have many guests who are traveling a significant distance; if I flew in for your wedding or drove for hours, I'd be disappointed if I'd come all that way for a wedding & reception that lasted 2.5-3 hrs and I was then on my own for dinner. I'd understand that nothing is normal now, but I still need to eat.) As long as you're clear with your guests about what the plan is and are understanding if they decline, I think it's fine. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment My brother and sister in law are the only ones traveling from out of town. They have always made it a point to visit all the family even when there is a big event to attend. They were one of the first people to suggest keeping things simple. The rest live 30 minutes or less from the venue.

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Then I'd assume they (brother and SIL) can easily spend additional time with other family members and will be hosted at someone's home, so it sounds like a perfect plan for you! Good luck!

I've been to a few. That time is great. I once went to one where the reception was around dinner time and we had to leave early because we were hungry.

View Quoted Comment Was the reception enjoyable? Was it awkward because there wasn’t the traditional reception activities?

View Quoted Comment It was mostly fun, yes. There was dancing, but I didn't do much of it because we left to get food. I think a 2:00ish reception time is great because a meal isn't expected.

I had actually never heard of them until WW. However, they seem like a good option for receptions during non meal times or for couples trying to be budget conscious.

My sister did one last year. Went really well no alcohol. Heavy appetizers and desserts. Wording was “join us for refreshments following the ceremony”. That along with the 2pm start time, people knew not to expect a meal.