It’s common belief that every reception needs to involve dinner. This is not true! You can celebrate during your reception however you want! We have some great ideas outside of serving a traditional dinner that you can explore if you want to celebrate at your reception outside the norm. These also can be a great money saver if you are sticking to a strict budget!

Brunch. Have an early ceremony and serve your guests brunch with mimosas. There are so many different ways you can take this idea; you can offer an omelet, waffle, or French toast station to be prepared on site, or you can serve a plated, sit down meal. The great thing about brunch is that there are easy and delicious food options such as scones, muffins and fruit that are easy to prepare, clean up and tend to be less expensive.

Appetizers/dessert bar. If you are having a late ceremony and you’re afraid that serving dinner might come too late, think of scaling down to offering only appetizers and the desserts of your choosing via dessert bar. Snacks are a great idea to have available alongside a dessert bar and keep guests happy if they have something to nibble on in between dancing and visiting that is more substantial to offset the sugary treats. Make sure to make a note of this on the invitation so guests know to eat dinner before they attend the wedding if they need to.

                       The most incredible appetizers by the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.                           Photos by Scott Drexler Photography.

Late Lunch. Serve a late lunch instead of full dinner meal. If you are having an afternoon ceremony and are not looking to party into the night, keep it light with an easy sit down lunch taking place late afternoon. This is great for smaller groups because you will actually have the capacity to visit with others while they casually munch on lunch items like sandwiches and salads.

Desserts only. This option is only amenable if you are having a late-night ceremony with no desire to have a large reception with dancing, etc. This is also an option that should be limited only to weddings that aren’t serving alcohol to guests. It’s always a better idea to serve snacks if alcohol is being served so guests aren’t drinking on an empty stomach.

Remember to think about what you really want the day of your nuptials. You don’t have to stick to one common idea because it seems to be a theme amongst traditional weddings. There are a few different ways to serve food at your reception if you don’t want to serve dinner, and they can be delicious, easy to prepare, clean up and also save you some money. Happy planning!