Having A Coacktail/Desert Only Reception. Any Tips?

Question

So my fiance & I are getting married next year, we are thinking about serving cocktails and deserts only at our reception. Were planning on starting the ceremony around 7:45 or 8 oclock, & having the reception immidiately after. cant seem to find any articles on this. Im Really just thinking about having a couple Chocolate Fountains, with Pretzles and Fruits and having a mass amount of cookies, pies (its going to be in October, so pumpkin and pecan pies), pastries, candies and the wedding cake of course. And then maybe a signature cocktail, beer and wine, along with tea and coffee. Anyone have any other ideas, i have never been to a cocktail reception, or even heard of one until I started planning my wedding so ANY and ALL feedback is greatly appriciated. <3

Answer 1

You do need some type of appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Maybe shrimp cocktail served in shot glasses, ceveche (sp) served in martini glasses, marinated fresh mozzarella balls &amp; cherry tomatoes on a skewers, assorted cheeses and crackers. Serve non-alcoholic beer, sparkling cider, non-alcoholic fruit punch, virgin bloody mary&#039;s or daquiri&#039;s. Also since it&#039;s fall, maybe some of your cookies could be in the shape of leaves and pumpkins and others could incorporate the colors of whatever you will be using for the reception.  For dessert at my own wedding, we had a chef making banana&#039;s foster over ice cream and he also made ice cream sundae&#039;s for whoever wanted them along with the traditional wedding cake and sweet table. Maybe a nice bowl of seasonal fruit would be good, if not, it would make a nice centerpiece for the table!

I think this type of reception is different and a great idea! Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi and congratulations!

I think that sounds great!  However, I must agree with the others that said.....this should be classified as a &quot;dessert reception&quot; not a cocktail and dessert reception.  IF you were also serving cocktails it would be a whole other menu of finger foods....more like an hors d&#039;oeuvres reception.  Things served would be mini sandwiches, meatballs, small quiches, veggies/dip, etc.

So....what you have planned sounds GREAT, but just make sure that on your invitation (or separate reception card) you say something like.....Dessert reception to follow the ceremony.

You may also want to add in some assorted cheeses and crackers and maybe a fruit tray, just for those who don&#039;t eat sweets.

I LOVE the idea, however, and have given this suggestion to many on here who are looking for a low cost alternative to the big fancy shmancy dinner reception.

Good luck and I hope you have a beautiful wedding day!

Answer 3

My cousin did that, everyone LOVED it. She had some strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated like little tuxedos which sounds funny, but it was cute and delicious.

Be sure to have soda or at least a good punch, for those who can&#039;t drink alcohol and aren&#039;t into tea or coffee.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Did you think about serving hors de ouvres (sp) as well? Some people might like some &quot;salty&quot; food and them some sweet. Although the sweets you picked sound divine. Add some appetizers??

Answer 5

I have been to a dessert reception, but my only complaints were these:

There was not enough food, not enough variety of food that was there, and there was no indication that it would not be a full dinner.  I personally think with all your providing (at least from the sounds of it), and as long as you put on the invitations something about cocktails and desserts, you should be fine :-D.

http://www.wikihow.com/Arrange-a-Cocktai...

Answer 6

Hay why not its YOUR day, and you should do what you like on it. - If anyone has a real problem then just don&#039;t invite them!

Good luck!

Answer 7

I think it would be fine. It depends on your family and friends. I know that my family and friends would not come to something that started to late in the evening, especially if they have a long drive home. It just doesn&#039;t seem worth it for some pretzels and candy.

Answer 8

It sounds like what you&#039;re planning is more of a dessert reception, which I have heard of being done before.

SInce it&#039;s going to be October, think about also having a hot chocolate bar (where the guests can customize their hot chocolate with whip cream, mint, syrups, etc.)

Also, another bar with a selection of warm cookies and milk is another idea I have seen.

If you do these, you can cut down on alcohol (not many people are going to want to drink beer with a ton of sweets).

You may want to also include some cheese and heavy appetizers for those who don&#039;t like a lot of sweets (like me!)

Just make sure to indicate it on the invitation so your guests will know to eat before the wedding (or else you will have very grumpy guests).  Something like &quot;Dessert Reception to Follow&quot;.

EDIT:  If you google &quot;Dessert Reception&quot; or &quot;Hors D&#039;oeuvre Reception&quot;, you&#039;ll get back a ton of articles and sites.

Answer 9

This could be tricky since, depending on where you live, guests may be expecting a meal, even at that time. For example, here in NY 8 PM is a typical dinner hour.

Cocktail receptions typically consist of appetizers and drinks. Provide those and then a few of your dessert choices. Speak to your caterer or banquet manager to get their guidance and expertise.

We never mention the menu on the wedding invitation, however, you could have an insert.

When you host an event and you entertain guests, you should always consider the guests feelings and needs. Never mind this, your day, your way, nonsense.

Answer 10

A cocktail and dessert reception is a great idea for a late evening wedding, and is usually less expensive than a full dinner. You should consider serving a few healthy alternatives - perhaps a fruit plate and some sugar-free or low-fat cookies - to accommodate special diet and health needs. It would also be nice to serve a few soda options for those who don&#039;t drink alcohol and for little kids, who probably won&#039;t drink coffee or tea.

Do note on your invitations that there is a &quot;Cocktail and dessert reception to follow&quot; the ceremony. That way your guests will know to eat dinner before they come, and won&#039;t expect a big meal.

Answer 11

Hi,Muhnkee is right, it is your reception, serve what you want. In my mothers day, [there was a war going on] the guests were likely to recieve punch and cake. And I would put out some non sweet items, there are those guests, like her, who do not like sweets, and the might be a diabetic or two in the crowd. Perhaps some cheese cubes, or some crackers and a spread.

You are having the dessert buffet long after the usual dinner hour, that is good, the hours you chose to have the reception make it ok to not have a full meal. As long as you tell people on the invitation that hors&#039;doerves[forgive my spelling] and desserts Will be served, you have done your duty as a polite host.

If you wish, pick out a signature cocktail that goes with desserts, or just serve champagne. I personally would not be drinking coffee at 9 o&#039;clock at night, but others might, and it goes with what you are serving.

Answer 12

I think that 8 o&#039;clock for a start time would be a good idea for an cocktail/dessert reception. Just make sure you put something on your invitations that eludes to the fact that you will not be providing a full meal.

You can put something on the reception cards/invitations that say something like this:

*Cocktail and Dessert Reception to follow

As for the food, I think that all you are thinking of is great - but you might want to add in a few non-sweet items just in case people aren&#039;t fans of sweets or have diabetes, special diets, etc.

You can do all the desserts, but maybe you can have some cheese and crackers, veggie tray, mini sandwiches, etc.

Just give people a variety to choose from and I think that it will be fine.