Wedding Reception Types

The planning of a wedding can be fraught with angst. Who to invite and who gets left off the invitation list is one major consideration. The other consideration is your wedding reception. There are many factors which can influence your choice – the number of people in attendance, food and activity preferences and of course, the budget.

There are four main wedding reception types to ponder in your quest of planning your perfect wedding. These wedding reception types will give you an idea of what you should consider:

Breakfast Or Brunch Wedding Reception

Among the different wedding reception types, this option is one of the most budget-friendly. Timed after a morning ceremony, a reception could start around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. and serve breakfast and brunch-friendly foods. You could have a sit-down meal or the more popular buffet style. The only disadvantages are that you have less time to prepare for the ceremony and out of town guests either have to spend the night before in town or leave very early in the morning.

Luncheon Reception

A luncheon is another inexpensive option when it comes to wedding reception types. Finger sandwiches, pasta or lettuce salads, fruit and other lighter fare are popular. Following a late morning ceremony, the timing allows for early morning driving for out of town guests and the bride and groom have enough pre-ceremony prep time as well.

Cocktails And Appetizers

Not a full-course meal, wedding reception types of this sort are still budget-friendly but a bit more expensive than the options for earlier in the day. The appetizers can be both hot and cold and are usually served by waiters or via buffet. The timing of cocktail and appetizer receptions is typically from 4:00 to 7:00 o’clock in the evening.

Full Sit-Down Meal

The most expensive and popular of all wedding reception types, a full sit down dinner can be pricey, depending on the menu you select. Dances often accompany this option and the “party” can last for hours. A sit-down menu is often preceded by light appetizers or cocktails to kick things off as guests arrive.

As you can see, the different wedding reception types can vary quite a bit. The two forces that will guide this decision are your preferences for your total wedding experience and how much you can afford. If you have your heart set on a full sit-down meal but can only afford cocktails and appetizers, you will have to compromise elsewhere in your planning. Some brides choose simple dresses or do their own flowers to save money that could be spent on a formal dinner. The choice is really yours.