Only dessert at reception?

That's a meal time. Either hold it later or serve a meal

Considering that's a meal time, I think it would be best to have a meal. It doesn't have to be formal; buffet style would be fine, but you should have real food. Or you could have a cake and punch reception earlier in the day.

Yes, you need to have "real food" (aka a meal) if that's the timeline you're set on.

If you're doing just cake move it to earlier in the day at a non-meal time.

And Jesus, I love open bars, but if there was no food....

:/

That is not going to work. You need a meal.

I would at least do some heavy apps to accompany all of the sweets.

If it's during meal time, you need "real" food - particularly dinner food. Also, that is a long time for guests to stick around for just dessert. I would be leaving to go get dinner.

ETA: This is a Friday, yes? Therefore, guests who work M-F 9-5 might not have time to even eat before your wedding.

Thanks, guys! We were thinking of doing BBQ as well so that answers that!

Keep in mind that heavy apps as BeachBride suggested will most likely cost more than serving a meal.

If you were holding your reception from 2-6, you might be able to get away with some finger foods and desserts, but if you want 7:30pm, as a guest, I'd expect to have dinner.

If you want to do just dessert, do it at a non-meal time and keep the reception short. From 7:30 to 11:00 is too long to keep people with no real food.

@Christina Our reception is actually on a Saturday.

@MMB I don't think we would do heavy apps - BBQ is what we were originally thinking.

Macaron* sorry, I'm a pastry major. Can't help it.

I think you need to add some real food. And so much sugar mixed with booze...I get queasy just thinking about the combo.

We will be serving food after reading your comments but I just want to clarify why I had this question in the first place - this is so casual, just like I said. Our party will be held at a local cidery that is along the same street as popular bars. Most of our friends coming will be eating with us beforehand at a restaurant we rented out and most people at the party will be coming in an "open house" way.

Yes, you need real food.

Danielle - Glad you decided to provide meals! Since you've already decided to do BBQ you might want to put an update in your original post since people aren't reading the comments.

If I attended a wedding at that hour I would expect there to be food. Eta:Just saw your update, glad you took the advice.

I also want to add that I am in Utah, where the usual dinner hour is between 4:30-5:00 pm. Eating dinner after 6:30 is pretty unheard of here.

Just be very clear to everyone on what to expect. For something starting at 7:30, I may or may not expect dinner but I would expect some type of food/appetizers/snacks but if I was told it was a desert and cocktail reception, I'd know to eat before

That may be your dinner hour but it's not everyone's. Also people get ready, drive to your reception. So take 2 hours at least off of that. Feed them a meal. Everyone will appreciate it