Desert Reception?

I have been to a wedding like this once before. The invitation read "Cake and Punch Reception to follow ceremony." I didn't mind since I knew ahead of time.

Ivy, I think that's a great idea. Especially with the number of guests you're expecting but, just a thought. If you decide to have it, you may want to add sugar free desserts as well. Just in case you have diabetic guests, they won't be left out.

I think it's a great idea. I've seen a view on who's wedding is it anyway that were very classy. I think one couple had the candy bags monogramed and had some of the cookies in the wedding colors. Someone else from another board i was on had a cute poem on the bag or box? that expressed the couples joy and thanks that the guests were there for their wedding.

[quote="IvyPrincess"]yeah, but i don't really want it to be like that, I want it to really be a reception, not like a after church have some cake and punch. In my mind it is gonna be alot classier than what I envision cake and punch to be. Also there will be a *bleep*tail hour with hors douvres and such, just not a sit down dinner. My guestlist is 350 so I'm looking into ways to have it be classy on a budget
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They had a cocktail hour also while they were taking pics. There was lots of food going around on trays. They also had a large table spread of several different desserts. When they came over they did the bouquet and garter toss, cut the cake, and greeted the guests. I guess I should have mentioned that. Putting "Cake and punch recption" on the invitation was just their way of letting the guests know there wouldn't be an actual dinner.

Your champagne reception sound divine, especially with 350 guests (wow!!!). Is it something that you're truly considering?

Ivyprincess that sounds great! very classy!

I wanted to have a dessert reception, but everyone thought that it was a bad idea. I thought the concept was cute. The only thing that I did get to squeak out was a candy bar withe suckers, twizzlers, m&ms, jelly beans, and fruity tootsie rolls. I loved that, and obviously so did the guests, they cleaned it out!!!

I think that as long as you mention it on the invite beforehand its fine. Unfortunately, people always think tradition, so they will skip a meal with the expectation of having dinner or brunch or whatever at your reception....I try to think of everything shead of time because I try to be practical, so I will mention a few things for you to consider:

1.Children + sweets = energy!
2.Diabetic considerations
3.Non-dessert or alcohol people-do you really know how many are and are not?
4. Once you add the total cost, and get a per person breakdown of a dessert/champagne menu, is that cost significantly different or cheaper than a sit-down or buffet meal?
5. You are inviting 350 people for heavy hors d'ouvres....with that in mind, people may be up and about, and hard to get to sit down since the idea of hors d'ouvres is to kind of snack a little and keep moving...plus, heavy hors d'ouvres tend to run a little high for that many people....
6. *Bleep*tail hour with children...how will yu manage that?

I know I am playing devils advocate, but I think you can pull it off with lots of research on how its done....thoroughly seeing exactly what happened when people went this route, and how much money they saved vs a buffet or sit-down, and plenty of planning with the accounting for possible incidents.....You can also have the best of both worlds such as Tdankel5 did, and buy your desserts and Candy from a wholesale store such as Sam's or Costco....

You can even order the M&M's in you color, personalized with your initials and personal sayings from their website...Go to the Jelly Belly Website or Candy store with the candy color or jelly bean of your choice....but this is not inexpensive and must be considered in the overall cost.....Happy Planning & keep us posted on your progress so other can learn too.....:)

I think its a great idea, but how about calling it a *bleep*tail reception w/ light finger foods and a candy/dessert bar or table?
I did a sit down w/ a candy bar that had all of our favorite candies, cookies,a nd all the old school candy you can name from jaw breakers to now & laters.
Or how about a early after noon brunch/
w/ a lite menu.
I will keep searching,for more ideas to share w/ u.
Its a great way to get both families mingling and talking.. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT......

I've had more time to think this over and although a desert reception sounds truly divine, but it's also very limiting. Are you envisioning a very short reception? As Mrs bumblebee has pointed out, it 350 guests all standing and walking around. No one will be sitting. Will your reception take place during the morning or afternoon hours? If not, with 350 guets, I don't think it will be appropriate and girl, how will you party with that many people walking around on what should be your dance floor? No one would want to dance because usually, there's no real dancing going on. Great idea if you're having your reception in the morning or early afternoon, but with so many guests, you might want to think twice about that.

I would suggest an alternative. Have your sit down or buffet reception, but have a desert station. What do you think?

Quite a few girls have done that on here. I am all for it. Everyone loves dessert and there are so many different ways to go about doing them. IvyPrincesss, you could have dessert stations, like chocolate fountains, and chocolate bars. There can be champagne stations and fresh fruit stations. I know there is an article on here about it too, guys. Search the SITE. We have over 300 articles.

How about a Wine Tasting typr theme for your *Bleep*tail hour w/
A variety of wines fresh fruit, cheese and veggies.
Several Dessert Stations
1. Cakes : Pound, Red velvet, Coconut, Brownies, Cupcakes, Cookies, donuts(variety
2. Pies : Apple, Sweet potatoe, Cherry, Peach
3. Chocolate fountain : strawberries, melon, cantelope, marshmellows, rice krispies
4. Candy table w/Various size jars filled w/ your favorite candies or ones filled w/ candy in your wedding colors.
On the candy table have the little bags w/ your names and wedding date on them as 1 favor
And since its a late evening event you can have it by candle lite w/ Jazz playing.
And make a cd w/ the music from your ceremony and first dance as a favor also.
And maybe a pink candle w/ a green ribbon that has your wedding date and names on it.
The favors you can make yourself and the jars are available in TJ Maxx & Marshalls.
Just a thought I wanted to share..

I think I remember that your girls dress colors are green and pink.
And sorry Rosetta started my mind down this path w/ her post earlier.

GREAT TO HEAR....How about small inexpensive bottles of wine w/ personalized labels as give aways.
Or wine glasses filled w/ a small organza bag of candy

I did a wedding that was wine tasting themed and they gave away a a bunch of grapes w/ ribbon that stated the names and dates.
You know like the ones ya Grandma had on the table in plastic.
but theres were crystal ( and inexspensive) i e-mailed her to find out were she got them.

IvyPrincess, I found some wine bottle stopper favors on line for $1. they come in a small bow in different shapes and styles.

I think that is a good idea especially if you tell the guests ahead of time.

I think that is a good idea especially if you tell the guests ahead of time.