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From Christina Friedrichsen's Intimate
Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your
Budget and Style,
www.intimate-weddings.com
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For
your reception, one of the first choices you need
to make is whether the event will be formal or casual.
You might picture an elegant soiree, complete with
a jazz band, fine wines, gourmet food, and an extravagant
setting. Conversely, you might prefer an outdoor
picnic potluck where comfortable summer attire is
appropriate. |
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Photo by
Robert Nunez
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You'll
also have to choose the time of day and type of meal for your
reception. Will you have a plated dinner or a brunch buffet?
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Brunch and Lunch
Several
couples I interviewed opted for a brunch buffet or luncheon
instead of an evening meal, and holding a reception earlier
in the day has several advantages. |
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of the biggest is cost. A morning or midday meal is usually
significantly less expensive than an evening one. Your guests
aren't likely to drink as much as they would at an evening
reception. If you choose to serve alcohol, only wine and champagne
are necessary, although some couples choose to have an open
bar with mixed drinks available. |
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| Venue
availability is also a benefit. You might have a better chance
finding an opening at a popular venue if your reception will
be early in the day. |
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| Another
advantage is that an early reception is generally shorter
than a later reception. Some couples prefer this to a drawn-out
evening event. |
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| Jan
and Mike wanted a simple reception, without dancing, so they
chose to host a luncheon at a restaurant that is a converted
train car. |
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| "I
have always [avoided] the limelight. [I] never enjoyed big
weddings . . . with all the protocol, receiving lines, etc.
. . . I wanted to feel relaxed but still wanted to be the
bride," says Jan. |
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| Because
of Jan's love of trains, the cafe they chose was a
perfect fit. "I wanted something different. I have been to
so many horrible weddings in legion halls. . . . I wanted
people to have a decent lunch," says Jan, noting that they
chose a buffet of hot chicken, salads, cheeses, and fruit. |
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| If
If you have
an earlier reception, you can still make it elegant. Lynette
and Charles, who got married in December inside a Phoenix
mansion, had an elaborate reception with brunch that included among
many other choices iced jumbo shrimp, a carving station
with prime rib, an omelet station, and eggs Benedict. The
couple did not want dancing at their reception, so they
had Christmas carolers as well as a harpist provide the
music for the afternoon. They also decided to forgo the
bouquet toss and the garter toss. "We wanted to make our
day more memorable with the carolers and harp, [not] bore
the guests with the typical reception activities," says
Lynette. |
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| A
Cocktail Reception |
| White linen. Plates of scrumptious appetizers. Ice sculptures.
Fruit displays. Gerbera daisies. Swanky jazz tunes. Wine.
Tuxedos and gowns. A cocktail reception can be a sophisticated,
yet less expensive alternative to a dinner event. Along
with cost, many of the same advantages of a lunch or brunch
reception apply for a cocktail reception. It doesn't usually
last as long as a dinner, which can be good for couples
who want to make their getaway sooner rather than later.
It can have all the same rituals of a traditional wedding
reception or none at all. Although many cocktail receptions
are somewhat formal, they don't have to be. (One drawback,
however, is that your guests might indulge a bit more on
alcohol.) Usually a cocktail reception has no assigned table
seating. Guests tend to stand and mingle. |
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| Jane and Mike
had a cocktail reception at a California inn rather than
a sit-down meal. "We had appetizers and wine and [other]
beverages with circulating waiters," says Jane, who says
the food was "practically cheap!" She describes the reception
as "bright, summery, festive, informal, [and] flowery." |
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| Just
Desserts |
| Imagine tables full of desserts: three of your favorite
kinds of cheesecake, some mocha and chocolate tortes, freshly
baked pies, pastries, handmade chocolates, homemade cookies,
and five kinds of ice cream. I don't know about you, but
that sounds like my kind of reception. |
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| A dessert
reception, which can be held in the afternoon or evening,
is a mouthwatering and flexible option. Dessert can be
passed around by servers or placed on a buffet table.
Although champagne and wine make nice accompaniments,
they are not necessary. Couples who don't want alcohol
at their reception might choose to serve tea and coffee.
Just like the cocktail reception, this delicious event
is usually short but sweet, and it is less structured
than a dinner reception. One thing to keep in mind: If
you have diabetics on the guest list, make sure you provide
some sugar-free options. |
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