Is it ok to have a dessert reception at a black tie event?

No. A black tie wedding includes a minimum a four course meal.

If the wedding is specifically labeled as a black tie wedding on the invites or wedding website, I expect to be hosted as such will a full meal, full bar, etc. I found the article below that may help you out.

https://www.brides.com/story/biggest-black-tie-wedding-mistakes-brides-make

Otherwise, you could say you're having a formal dessert reception. Black tie wouldn't be the appropriate dress code if you aren't hosting an actual black tie event.

View Quoted Comment I saw this earlier. But thank you for the resource and response

Side note: nothing wrong with having a formal cocktail party just saying it doesn't meet the criteria of black tie. Black tie is a level of hosting, not a dress code.

View Quoted Comment Ok this is my first wedding. So I don't mean to be rude but...who eats a 4 course meal? I've never seen anyone eat that much.

View Quoted Comment What's the difference? I'm sorry I've never been to a wedding before -_-
I'm so freaking lost.

No, a black tie wedding refers to a very high level of hosting (not just a dress code).

To classify as a black tie wedding you need to have all of the following (and much more):

-a multi-course plated meal

-a full top shelf open bar

-white glove service

-valet service

-live band

View Quoted Comment The difference is one is a higher level of hosting. Hedgie's comment touches on a lot of the requirements for black tie.

What did you think black tie consisted of?

View Quoted Comment 4 course meaning hourderves, salad/soup, main course, dessert.

So dress code and hosting are different?....

Ugh...ok. maybe I'll just put it off longer then. I can't do a cocktail party without my family showing up in the shortest freaking things they can find...and I absolutely don't want to deal with that. I was hoping a black tie dress code would help that issue....but if I have to do 4 course meals and all that other stuff there is no way I can afford to do that.

A lot of people have 4 courses. I don’t know what area you’re from but in my area that’s standard for all weddings, not just formal/black tie. It’s usually either some kind of fruit/sorbet or soup to start, followed by a salad course, entree, and then dessert.

View Quoted Comment I feel like your not reading my responses....again I've NEVER been to a wedding. This is all BRAND NEW to me.

View Quoted Comment You can call it a “formal” event, rather than black tie. If anyone asks what they should wear.

View Quoted Comment Many people have never been to a wedding but understand that a four course meal is normal and black tie is way more than just a dress code. People are giving you good advice.

View Quoted Comment You asked who eats 4 courses. I’m answering that question: a lot of people eat 4 courses because in many areas this is a standard for weddings.

View Quoted Comment First, a dress code should never be listed on a invite. Black tie is listed because it sets the expectations for your guests of the type of event you're going to host. Second you can't control what people wear. Even if you put "black tie" people will probably still show up in short dresses... why do you care? Lastly I have a question, what made you want to do black tie in the first place? Is it common with your family/friends?

I would think black tie to me means full bar, full cocktail hour, full plated meal. I would do just cocktail attire instead, and hope people dress appropriately. Are you sure their attire would bother you that much?

View Quoted Comment My family does NOT do well with that. I have seen pictures of other family members who did and....it's...a huge no from me.

They literally found any excuse possible to find the SHORTEST and skimpiest outfits possible...and I don't want that near my fiance's co-workers or mine (we are very good friends with many of them). Honestly don't want that in my pictures either.....

I feel like I'm just going to end up pushing this off another 2-3 years because I don't know how else to deal with the dress code dilemma.

View Quoted Comment

Could you go to the other extreme, like really casual? Or host a winter wedding, so it's colder? Or an outdoor wedding so people need to dress warmer?

You can say "formal attire", which doesn't imply a level of hosting like "black tie" does. However, if your family is that determined to wear skimpy dresses, a line on the invitation/reception card won't be what stops them.