Invitation Wording???

Hmmmm... "refreshments and beverages following the Ceremony"? A full meal at 3 pm, people might not be very hungry and alot might go to waste...

True...I was a bit concerned about that, it's kind of an odd time. What do people usually do about full meal receptions if their ceremony is at 2 pm? I can't be the only one! Maybe they postpone the reception a little while or have something else in between?

If you are serving mostly appetizers I would use the french term "hors d'oeuvres"

You can also just generalize with "Please join us for the reception following the ceremony or at 3 pm whichever your preference. Typically this information is listed on a separate insert card, not on the invitation itself. Traditionally, the invitation only communicates information regarding the ceremony. All other information belongs on insert cards

Call it early dinner?

Personally I like getting up late on weekends (hence why I have a 3pm ceremony), which means that breakfast is usually around 11am. So by 3pm I'd be ready for my next feeding. I think most guests if they know there is a meal with plan their previous feedings of the day around that. I know when I go to a wedding I plan my feeding schedule around the wedding feedings.

I can contact the family members who were planning on cooking and see what we can do. I just know for sure that we're having food and I feel like I should let people know that so they can prepare for it ya know? Our ceremony time is set and it needed to be that way but now I have this dilemma about the eating part Thank you for the suggestions!

Feast and merriment to follow lol.....

Food and festivities to follow

Food, Wine and Merriment to immediately follow!

Light dinner and dancing to follow.

That works! I've heard its a big "no-no" to have a buffet style reception but this is what works for our family, they're the "backyard bbq" type anyway So I guess having it at 3pm and using some of the suggestions above would work just fine. That way they can go back for seconds if they're still hungry or wait until they're hungry to eat. And having the food out longer will hopefully give my groom and I a chance to eat something too

I had a very elegant wedding with a buffet style dinner. The buffet was set up in it's own special room that was decorated beautifully, so don't worry about what other people might consider a "no-no". This is your day...make it about you and your guests

Buffets are actually better than sit down dinners! The food stays hot as opposed to getting cold waiting for a server to pick it up and bring it to a table.

Thank you, I like the idea that his family (who LOVES to cook) will be able to contribute in their own special way and I think it will be a more comfortable and laid back environment for them.