Reception, dessert, seating

For dessert, I would make sure to have enough for at least one per guest. You may end up with leftovers since not everyone will want one, but that's better than not having enough.

For seating chart, I recommend putting together a plan for who's sitting at each table, but not assigning specific seats at that table. If you choose to do open seating, plan to add multiple extra tables and chairs. With open seating, people do not generally seat themselves efficiently, and will often leave a chair or two open at each table. To avoid couples/families from getting separated during dinner, either assign tables, or provide a few extra tables.

Ceremony seating - definitely provide seats for everyone! Women wearing heels will likely not want to stand for a 20-30 minute ceremony, and most people in general would probably want a place to sit during the ceremony.

Dinner - either a buffet or a plated meal is totally fine! Buffets are usually a little cheaper from what I've seen, though you'd probably still want a couple servers to put the portions of food on the plates to ensure that there's enough food for everyone.

Favors are totally optional! If there's something meaningful to the bride and groom, then maybe do that (such as, if they love board games, decks of cards might be a fun favor, or if they went to a brewery for their first date, a bottle opener could be a good idea). Otherwise, you can skip favors, and no one would notice. A different option you could do instead is hotel welcome bags - since everyone is traveling, a bottle of water, small bag of snacks, a map of the area, and a welcome note from the bride and groom (maybe with a list of recommendations of places to visit in the area) would be an inexpensive and kind gesture! These are also totally optional - if they're not in the budget, skip it.

Dessert - I would make sure you have enough for each person to get at least one piece of cake or one cupcake.
Seating - Not required, but highly recommended especially if you are already going to the extend to reserve seating for some of the guests. I personally can't stand going to open seated weddings as they feel very disorganized. Plus you have to provide extra seating because guests aren't good at seating themselves.
Dinerware - I would worry about the quality of plastic so I would definitely rent plates and glasses. Ceremony seating - There should be a seat for every guest regardless of age or anything like that. Guests typically arrive 15-30 minutes before the ceremony and most ceremonies last 15-30 minutes so that's a long time to be standing especially dressed up. Dinner - Yes, serving a full meal is necessary. Buffet or served is really up to what the bride and groom prefer. Buffet tends to be cheaper. Favors - Not necessary, but if you do them I would recommend some type of food. Guests tend to forget about favors and end up leaving them behind. Food favors are more likely to be remembered.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much! The hotel welcome bag is an excellent option and one I think would be used. Agree with you on seating , I was leaning that way . A few more dessert options and I should be good there.

Dessert - I might consider adding a fruit salad

Seating - Seats for everyone

Seating chart - I would have a table plan, just to make sure tables are relatively "even"

Dinner - You could do a buffet if you want, that's fine. I'd try to rent plates and glasses for both quality and environmental reasons

Favours - optional only. If you choose to do it, I would recommend edible favours.

Welcome to wedding wire! Good luck in your planning!

View Quoted Comment Thank you ! Agree with the seating for the ceremony I wasn’t even thinking about the early arrivals. I’m glad I asked about seating it seems to keep things more organized. I was so unsure of the plastic because I see so many people selling what was left over from their weddings

View Quoted Comment Thank you all good points

View Quoted Comment You're welcome! Our venue provided all of the plates, utensils and glasses. I would recommend seeing if the caterer can provide these things. It would just make it simpler.

View Quoted Comment We are actually doing it at a beach house , however I have seen where that service can be offered if I can nail down a caterer. Response times are not that great for caterers on this app. That’s the last big task , hiring a caterer.

View Quoted Comment When I was planning my wedding, I found it easier to contact vendors via email or by calling them. Unfortunately a lot of them don't check their messages through WeddingWire or are very slow to respond.


If you are still looking for dessert options you could do a candy bar. We had a candy bar at our wedding and we got candy in our wedding colors. We didn't set it up ourselves as we had a decorator that handled it for us, but I can't imagine it would be too hard to set up. You'd just need the proper bowls and things to put the candy in and mini bags for guests to put the candy they select in.

View Quoted Comment Great idea. My only concern would be the heat, since it’s in June , was yours a summer wedding?

View Quoted Comment Yes, our wedding was on one of the hottest days of the year. It was inside though with air conditioning. If your daughter's reception is outside then candy probably wouldn't be the best idea. Other options I have seen are a popcorn bar. You could have regular popcorn, cheese popcorn and caramel corn. Just an idea. I have also seen dessert bars which are nice too.

View Quoted Comment Now that I think about it I do believe we are putting the cake and dessert tables in the house because of the frosting . So that might work

View Quoted Comment

Good idea! I hope your daughter's wedding turns out beautiful.

View Quoted Comment Thank you !

A side note, we are doing buffet because my fiancé likes the idea better that people can have more if they want. But, don’t make the mistake of automatically thinking they are cheaper. With our caterer, it was not, the buffet option was more expensive than the plated meal.

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! Thanks . I’ll be sure to check on that.

Our dessert table to be.... beach wedding, reception outdoors on open air (covered) patio.
I agree with everyone else - YES to some type of seating arrangement. It avoids confusion and hurt feelings. Just assign people to certain tables -theycan (and will) move around after dinner. YES to checking cost of plated vs buffet, ours actually was $2 per person cheaper for plated! And definitely try to find a caterer that will supply all tableware - so much less stress on you. Happy planning!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!