Is NOT serving a dinner considered bad taste?

My wedding starts at 7pm, are doing cocktaild and serving dinner at the reception.

@Barbara, during those times, the B&G were usually just out of school and had very little. Times have changed, and the average B&G are now much older and more mature. Guests don't attend weddings for the free dinner and drinks, and we do not expect anyone to go into debt over the wedding. A wedding reception is a party-- it always was, and it still is. When you are inviting people to your home for a party, you feed them well and treat them to the best of your ability. When you are inviting people over for a New Year's Eve party that starts before 9 pm, you have to feed your guests dinner. If you can't afford to feed them, then don't have a part on New Year's Eve. Do it at 2 pm so that you can have a cocktail reception later that ends by whatever dinner time is where you live.

@Victoria if you start later, like around 8:30 or 9, then have the party go until 1 or 2 am, you can get away with not serving dinner BUT I suggest having heavy savory appetizers throughout the night.

In fact, hosting a party to celebrate a wedding has been around since the ancient times. How lavish the party is, has also always depended on how wealthy the families and/or the couple are. But if a meal cannot be provided, then the party is hosted at a different time of the day. There is nothing wrong with a cake and punch reception in the afternoon.

Nobody should ever go into debt over a party. But the reception is also optional, just like everything else except for the couple, the officiant, the marriage license, and witnesses. But if a party is hosted, then there are some guidelines and rules of etiquette to follow. Such as providing a meal if the party is hosted at a meal time.

My FH and I work full-time and go to school (with me just entering PhD school) full-time... Our parents live at poverty-line so the fact that we have several thousand dollars saved up is just short of a miracle. With ONLY having family and close friends (only 50 people and no bridal party), I'm sure people will be much more understanding because we know everyone on an intimate level.

We've thought about having the reception in the afternoon but everyone gets hungry for lunch or dinner at that time... we thought it would be MORE polite to do it late because people would already be informed to please have dinner prior to. Here, I feel like 5 or6 dinner is pretty normal so if I were to move it back to 8p, I think it would be nice. Although, I do think some add'l food might be nice (fruit/cheese..) for people to balance out liquor. But even then, we aren't inviting many people that drink. FH and I don't drink at all... Ultimately, I value diversity in answers so I'm still glad I asked :o)

Barbara, times change. Sandy and Mrs. S nailed it.

I think most people think that NYE is a big deal. Perhaps having it on a less explosive day might result in less expectations to fulfil.

If you are going to for go dinner you need to start later. Any event starting at 7 dinner will be expected. Start at 9 have dessert bar and finger foods (appetizers) floating around.

You don;t want everyone drinking on an empty stomach