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If you've determined the time and style of your wedding and considered
the number of guests and size of your budget, you probably have
a good idea of the type of reception that will suit your needs and
desires. Here are the various types of receptions, as described
in Beverly Clark's "Planning A Wedding to Remember":
Morning
A breakfast or brunch reception is nice,following a morning wedding
at 9 or 10 o'clock. This may be served buffet style, or the guests
may be seated at specified tables.
If you choose buffet style, an assortment of fresh fruit, croissants,
rolls and quiches, with a variety of cold cuts and cheese is nice.
Hot coffee, tea and fresh juice should be served.
With a sit-down breakfast, you may want to start with fresh juice
and fruit, then serve an omelette or Eggs Benedict with toast or
rolls for the entree. Hot coffee and tea are a must.
Pastries or a wedding cake should be served. Alcoholic beverages
are optional, but may include champagne, champagne punch, wine,
screw-drivers, mimosas or Bloody Marys.
Luncheon
These are similar to brunch receptions and may be either sit-down
or buffet style. They generally follow a late morning or high noon
ceremony and are served between noon and 2 p.m.
Buffet luncheons may include a variety of salads, such as potato,
fruit, chicken, pasta or vegetables with dip. Poached salmon and
shrimp are popular, but also expensive. Sandwiches, cold cuts and
cheeses are often served, and are relatively inexpensive. Your reception
coordinator or caterer will offer suggestions, according to your
budget.
Sit-down luncheons may be started by serving champagne, cocktails
and hors d'oeuvres while guests go through the receiving line. Once
the guests are seated, a white wine may be served with soup or salad
to start. Then boned breast of chicken, a chicken crepe or beef
entree with rice and vegetables is nice.
Serve coffee or tea with the wedding cake. Having an espresso/cappuccino
bar, or offering chocolate cups filled with cordials adds a nice
touch.
Tea or Cocktail
Tea receptions are generally held between 2 and 5 p.m., usually
starting not later than 3:30.
Coffee, tea or punch, both with and without champagne or wine, are
generally served. Tea sandwiches or other finger food, along with
wedding cake, is the basic requirement.
This type of reception is the least expensive, and perfect when
there is a large guest list and a small budget. If held in a home
or garden, this type of reception will cut down on rentals.
Cocktail receptions are held between 4 and 7:30 p.m. If only cocktails
are being served, with no dinner to follow, the reception should
start by 5:30 or 6 at the latest.
Usually, champagne, wine, punch or beer is served, and in many cases,
there is an open bar, depending on the budget. Hot and cold hors
d'oeuvres may be passed or set out on the buffet tables.
Buffet
A buffet reception is one in which the guests serve themselves.
They may choose to sit at a table of their choice, or seats may
be assigned. The buffet table is arranged with a variety of food,
and can either be round or oblong, with the food placed around the
edge. It may also be rectangular with food served from behind one
side, or with food displayed along both sides. The way the tables
are arranged will be determined by the area available and the number
of guests. Try to avoid making the guests wait in a long line. For
a larger number of guests, have two buffet tables, one at each end
of the room.
Dinner
A dinner reception is usually started between 6 and 9 p.m. In many
cases, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served in the first hour,
with a sit-down or buffet dinner following. Such cocktail service
will add to your expenses. (To keep expenses down, offer wine and
beer,rather than a full bar.) A cocktail hour of some kind gives
people time to go through the receiving line and mingle with friends,
especially when a sit-down dinner follows.
Sit-down
As mentioned before, this is a party where the guests are served
at the table. It usually, but not always, has a more formal feeling,
and most of the time is preceded by a cocktail hour so the guests
can mingle. A sit-down reception provides for more organization.
It is easier to get the guests' attention when the traditional ceremonies,
such as cutting the cake, are to begin. On the other hand, some
people say that a sit-down service tends to quiet down the party.
Food Station
Another idea which is unique and adds to the decor of the area is
''food stations.'' These are smaller buffet tables which are set
up around the room or in different areas of a garden. It is especially
nice when each food station has a different theme and type of food.
Decorate them with floral displays and unique serving pieces. They
will not only look beautiful, but are a fun way for guests to eat,
and will increase the mingling of guests. Try a beautiful display
of cheeses with breads and fresh fruits displayed in baskets,or
an ice-carved boat filled with jumbo shrimp and crab legs. Or you
may add to this eating adventure a chef carving a roast, serving
hot won tons from a wok, or a chicken crepe made right in front
of the guest's eyes.
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