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Briana
Just Said Yes July 2018

How Late is Too Late for a Finger Food Reception???

Briana, on March 16, 2018 at 4:42 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 11
Hi all!

I am getting married this upcoming summer. My fiancé and I are on a SUPER tight budget that we're paying for ourselves, we're both in our early twenties, just starting off with EVERYTHING, all while trying to pull a wedding together in a little less than four months. Because of this we have decided to have an appetizer/finger food reception. But looking at it now I'm worried about time, as so many have warned about when it comes to a lite reception. I already have my invitations so I can't edit them to say that we're serving finger foods. I thought about putting it on our website but I'm afraid not all will read it. Not to mention we're getting married at 3:30 p.m. If the reception is right after the ceremony, would it be too late to serve appetizers/finger foods an hour later?

11 Comments

Latest activity by Briana, on March 16, 2018 at 5:18 PM
  • Anne
    Master April 2017
    Anne ·
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    You need a full meal at that time. I would push the ceremony to 2 pm, and serve refreshments from 3-5 pm, which is when the reception would end.

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  • Forestwed
    Master May 2018
    Forestwed ·
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    I think it’s too late. By the time people get to eat it will be 430-5 pm. Have you looked into Italian or BBQ? It’s usually the cheapest option.
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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    I think as long as you end by 6 you should be fine. What were you thinking time wise? I would add something to the invitation so people know it’s quick appetizers afterwards and not a typical dinner/dancing reception so people can make dinner plans.
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  • Sarah
    Master June 2016
    Sarah ·
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    Yes I think 4:30 is too late to not serve a meal. Unless you have enough apps to equal a meal, which will likely cost more than a meal.
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  • Briana
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Briana ·
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    Because of the reception we weren't planning on dragging it out. Definitely not late into the night.
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  • Briana
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Briana ·
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    We have sweet ladies at his church helping us. They actually have fed more people than our guest count with no problem, so the food isn't the issue. I'm just worried about the time. Thanks for your input!
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  • firstoneat56
    Master August 2017
    firstoneat56 ·
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    Unless you are serving heavy appetizers and have some stations that would fill you up, I don't think that's suitable. The only way that would work is if your ceremony is from 3:30 - 3:50 and your reception ends at 5. If it's any longer, you need to serve a meal.

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  • Briana
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Briana ·
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    That might work, seeing as I don't plan on having a long ceremony. Thank you!
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  • FutureMrsR
    VIP May 2018
    FutureMrsR ·
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    We're also in our early 20s (and when I say early, I mean, we're 20) and just starting out. Engaged in 2016, moved in together in 2017, and married in 2018!

    We're doing our wedding at 1 p.m. so that we can get away with serving appetizer-y food, although we're going to have MORE than enough food for everyone to eat as much as they want. It turns out, it's really not that much cheaper than just serving a meal, anyway -- if it is at all.

    If you want to cut costs, you're just going to have to cut the guest list. My FH's ENTIRE FAMILY lives within 10 miles of us (aunts, uncles, cousins, third cousins, great grandparents, literally every single person lives here). With just family, we ended up at like 300 people. 6 of them were my family. We ended up inviting parents, grandparents, and siblings only, for a total of 34 (still only 6 are mine, LOL). It's always possible to cut the guest list. Perhaps that's an option for you guys?

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  • GoodMOB
    April 2018
    GoodMOB ·
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    Have you considered serving pasta? That way, you can serve a full meal, but it really shouldn't cost too much. And, of course, cut the guest list, as others have said. How many guests are you considering right now?

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  • Briana
    Just Said Yes July 2018
    Briana ·
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    I have thought of it actually. As of right now we have about 130.
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