Light refreshments**?

Question

we are planning a wedding between about 1pm and 5pm and we wanted to just have vegetable trays and sandwiches (also cake). the sandwiches were going to be like 6ft-ers cut into 3in pieces. i want to word this on this invitation so people dont expect a meal... any suggestions?

by the way does it make it more tacky (if at all) that we are inviting around 100 people? would this offend you?

***almost none from out of town (like 94%) live here

we were planning on having a semi formal wedding party. no jackets or long dresses but still dressed nice. i was gonna wear a knee length ivory summer dress type of dress... it was gonna be in a church hall.

the sandwiches come cut already into little squares and we were going to stack them decoratively on different trays with tooth picks in them. no one will know where they are from. does that change anything?

Answer 1

At the bottom of your invitation, after the ceremony information, put "Cake and light refreshments to follow." This is not tacky or offensive and is very common for an afternoon wedding. You do want to let people know that a big meal is not being served, so they can eat beforehand. If you expect children, it might also be nice to have a fruit tray - most kids will eat fruit, even if they hate veggies. But the specific menu is up to you.

For the out-of-towners, it might be nice to put together a little packet of information about nearby restaurants where they can have lunch (if they arrive before the wedding) and dinner (for after the ceremony).

And your outfits sound perfect for a nice afternoon wedding/reception.

Answer 2

I think that if thats how you want to have your wedding, than that's fine, that is alot of people so you would definitely have to say this to them...so that they're not expecting a huge prime rib dinner or something...I would reccommend doing a little more than just sandwiches though, maybe some wraps, fruit trays(it is summer), cheese and cracker tray/...if you were having the wedding at dinner or lunch time you kinda owe them a dinner, but it's before dinner...so they can always go out afterwards!

Answer 3

OK, couple things:

Semi-Formal is NOT what you are describing.  That means (semi-formal) that people should wear one step below black tie, meaning suits for the men and dresses for the women.  If you are looking for a more casual dress, the wording I've seen used is "resort casual".

As for the wording on the invite, no need to put anything on there about food.  If you are insistent, put something on your reception card that says "Please join us for light hors dourves and refreshments immediately following the ceremony".

Answer 4

Put light fare on the invites.

Answer 5

The simpler the better I say.  On the invitations simply put no dinner join us for sandwiches and fun.  Don't sweat it, there will be one that won't be happy no matter what you do.  I would not be offended by a simple reception.  Truthfully I am more offended when people who are liveing hand to mouth spend lots of money they don't have.

Answer 6

are you having a dance? i suppose not if it is from 1-5. put on the invites  light meal: cold cuts, veggies and cake. and make sue you put no dance unless they already know.

Answer 7

Light refreshments follow.

Answer 8

That sound perfect.  You are smart for not going overboard.  I helped a friend with her wedding earlier this year and we did exactly the same thing.  I wouldn't even bother trying to word it on the invitation.  Simply put, "reception to follow" or something like that.  Just remember, if these people were at home instead of your wedding, they'd probably have a sandwich anyway ;)