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DEB2019
Savvy November 2019

Meal choice for a Friday evening wedding & reception

DEB2019, on June 25, 2018 at 8:11 PM

Posted in Wedding Reception 37

My fiancé and I decided on a buffet style meal of salad, baked chicken, green beans, and loaded mashed potatoes. I met with my potential wedding coordinator for the first time and she advised that based off of my 5pm start time, I should consider stations or heavy hors d’oeuvres. She said that by...
My fiancé and I decided on a buffet style meal of salad, baked chicken, green beans, and loaded mashed potatoes. I met with my potential wedding coordinator for the first time and she advised that based off of my 5pm start time, I should consider stations or heavy hors d’oeuvres. She said that by the time the reception starts it will be kind of late to serve a heavy meal. I’m confused because dinner time for my family is anywhere between 6-7:30pm. Why wouldn’t it be ok for my wedding guests? I’m still set on serving a meal. I’d just like to know what other brides or experts think. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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37 Comments

  • RH912
    Devoted July 2018
    RH912 ·
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    That is perfectly normal. I have done many weddings with the same time period and in most cases we had 3 to 5 courses. You may want to reconsider hiring someone who does not know much about some wedding basics.

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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I would ****% still serve a meal.

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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    She is so very very wrong. That’s super bizarre advice for a coordinator to give, I’d honestly question her judgement
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  • A
    Expert April 2019
    Ashley ·
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    My dinner will be served around 730. So I don’t see yours being an issue.


    On a on a side note. Reading your food made me soooo hungry lol it sounds good !
    • Reply
  • OrangeCrush
    Super October 2017
    OrangeCrush ·
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    Your planner sounds off - unless she wants to watch me eat 10 eggrolls and six wings! Lots of people eat later and and a Friday wedding it is somewhat expected.

    Good luck!

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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    Not too late at all! I’ve been to a wedding where we weren’t served the main course till around 10pm.
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  • L
    Dedicated July 2018
    Lena ·
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    Have a meal your planner is high lol
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  • FutureMrs.D
    Dedicated August 2018
    FutureMrs.D ·
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    My wedding is on a Friday at 4p.m. the reception will start at 5:30..dinner at 5:45-6 p.m. sounds normal to me

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  • Shaunte
    Expert December 2021
    Shaunte ·
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    You absolutely should serve dinner at this time. People will just be getting off work and they will likely be hungry. Appetizers during cocktail hour if you have one. I'm very confused about her advice.

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  • DC Wife 10.27.18
    Master October 2018
    DC Wife 10.27.18 ·
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    You plan sounds right to me. Don't get me wrong, I love stations and that's what we are doing but, stations on a Friday after everyone gets off work could be....hectic. Are you doing a cocktail hour?

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  • Daria
    VIP January 2019
    Daria ·
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    Are you doing a few apps with cocktail hour? I would need that, plus dinner at 6:30!

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  • DEB2019
    Savvy November 2019
    DEB2019 ·
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    My ideal timeline is: ceremony 5-5:30, cocktail hour 5:30-6:30, start calling tables to buffet 6:30 and hopefully have everyone through the line by 7. I’d like for the toasts to be done nlt 7:30.
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  • DEB2019
    Savvy November 2019
    DEB2019 ·
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    Yes, that is exactly what I was going for. Apps for cocktail hour from 5:30-6:30, then start calling tables to the buffet.
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  • DC Wife 10.27.18
    Master October 2018
    DC Wife 10.27.18 ·
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    Looks good. Very similar to my timeline except we are doing a champagne greeting from 5-5:30 then the ceremony. My only suggestion is to make sure you add a buffer for people to find their tables. Also, any time you are moving people from place to place you should add a little buffer time.

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  • Summer
    Super August 2018
    Summer ·
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    I'm not sure where you are but at least in most of the US, it's really standard to have the evening meal be the heaviest of the day...so unless you're getting married in another country or something, what your coordinator is saying makes zero sense to me. I would be pretty annoyed if I went to a 5pm wedding and was only served hors d'oeuvres to be honest. I also wouldn't hire this "potential" WC, sounds like terrible advice.

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  • rica
    VIP September 2018
    rica ·
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    That's a bit later than I normally eat, which means I'll be extra ready for dinner by then! I would expect a full meal to be honest. I agree with you.

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  • Daria
    VIP January 2019
    Daria ·
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    You've got it exactly right. I'd question the expertise of this "planner."

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