Food can sometimes be the most expensive part of the wedding budget, especially for a large reception. To help cut the costs, one bride recently considered doing a dessert-only reception in the evening. While I applaud her cost-conscious thinking, according to the etiquette experts, a dessert reception at dinner time would be inappropriate. And the editors at Bride Magazine tend to agree. Here are their tips on making a dessert reception a sweet choice:
- Remember, any time you invite people to be with you during a customary mealtime, you’ve got to feed them something substantial.
- A dessert-only reception should be held only in the late afternoon (before 4:00) or in the late evening (after 9:00).
- Consider having a tempting dessert buffet, if the timing works for you. You could also have a sundae bar or a crème brûlée station with fruit and other toppings.
- If you don’t want anyone to go home hungry—especially if they’ve traveled any distance, another option is to pair desserts with light hors d’oeuvres. Make sure you offer enough to eat (18 to 24 hors d’oeuvres per person for a three-hour party), and consider a variety of serving styles: passed canapés, a cheese and fruit buffet, and a couple of action stations (quesadillas, pastas). Serve a wedding cake or another sweet finish.
- Not sure how guests will respond to the light fare? Prepare them with this invitation wording: “Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres immediately following the ceremony.”
Speaking of desserts, I’d like to serve up some sweet wedding favor ideas that are sure to take the cake! Your guests will love these adorable “Mint To Be” tins filled with heart-shaped mints. They’re dressed for the occasion as bride and groom. These personalized chocolate bars are another sweet way to say thank you! There are over 15 designs and colors to choose from, making this a gift to savor. These great wedding favors give your guests more than their just desserts!
