Is Dinner the Only Option?

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.

Salish Lodge created a beautiful brunch for Mark + Jereme's wedding. Photo by Crozier Photography.

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.

Dessert Bar by Better Than a Boyfriend Bakery. Photo by Van Wyhe Photography

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! 

Dessert

Unveiling a sweet treat toward the end of your celebration is just the icing on the cake (pun intended) for a well-executed, fabulous event. Do you want to get creative with your dessert of choice on your special day, or are you more of a traditional couple? What about both? Whether you decide upon a cornucopia of desserts, or stick with just one, here are a few different options on how to make your sweet fantasies come true! 

1.      Classic cake. First and foremost; we have the classic cake. One, two, three tiers…the choice is yours. Display a small two tiered cake and serve an equally tasty sheet cake prepped behind the scenes to your guests, and enjoy the small cake with your other half. Or, go big and choose a four tiered cake, and serve this to your guests. Budgeting tip; it will be cheaper to go with the small display cake and sheet cake for your guests.  Either option is a good option in our eyes.

Cake by Gayle Orth Catering

2.      Cupcakes. Lately there have been quite a few cupcakes coming onto the wedding scene. Why, you ask? Well, they are simple, delicious and easy to serve—making for an easy clean up too! You can arrange and display cupcakes on a vintage appetizer rack or an actual cupcake stand. You can even use them as décor on your dessert table if you are serving more than one treat.

3.      Pies. In most cases, the pie gets overlooked and underrated. This is a shame because pies are not only delicious, but in this day and age, they are very unique to the wedding scene. If you are having a wedding in a country setting and you want that warm, home town feel, go for the pie. One of our favorite bakeries in the northwest is the Snohomish Pie Company. Not only do they bake delectable classic pies, but they also bake pie pops and an assortment of mini, bite sized pies. Hot, fresh and flakey to perfection, their creations are anything but ordinary. Check them out for more information!

4.      Brownies. Another unappreciated dessert; the brownie. If you are a brownie lover and you don’t know how to make this part of your wedding, fear no more. We are here to let you know that you can serve it through the medium of a cake, a cupcake, or that traditional square brownie you grew up loving. This is your day so choose something you love and you can always make it work.   

5.      Ice cream sundae bar. Treats are extra delicious when you’re building your own sweet dream and making it exactly the way you want it. Guests will have a blast choosing from a buffet of all the best sundae toppings you have to offer.  This is a great idea for a summer wedding when you know it’s going to a bit on the warm side. Everyone always welcomes a cool indulgence on a hot day.

If you can’t choose just one of the above, make it a dessert buffet with an array of different options. You don’t have to decide on just one treat. And if you do, that’s wonderful too! The point of your celebration is to celebrate you and your partner with the people you love. Don’t feel like you have to sacrifice everything you like for fear that your guests won’t…because if they don’t, that means more for you!