How many of you had just hors'deurves at your reception and how long did your reception last?

I want to have an hors'deurves reception. Don't worry, I'm going to make sure that's clear to everyone who's invited and I'm planning on starting the wedding at around 2pm. I don't want a reception longer than 3 hours. Is that too short or too long?



My friend did something very similar for her wedding a couple of years ago. She had a fairly short ceremony and reception (with just hors'deurves) in the afternoon and afterwards, close family and friends went over to her parents house where we grilled out, drank hunch punch, and had a good ole time. I want to do the same type thing for my wedding. Do you think she would be mad if I copied her? I'm not copying her flowers, colors, cake, dress, decorations, or any thing like that, just the way she had the short ceremony, reception, and "after party." I know I could just ask her but I just want to know from you ladies first if you think that it would be tacky of me to even ask her.

How many of you had just hors'deurves at your reception and how long did your reception last?
The length of your reception just depends on what you're going to do. If there's dancing with a DJ then you probably can't get away with anything shorter than 2 or 2.5 hours.



I'm personally not a fan of an after party because it smacks of "you're good enough to come to my wedding and give me a gift, but not good enough to share a drink and a meal with."



As for your friend, I can't say if she would be mad (you probably have an idea on that since you know her) but I don't think there's anything wrong in asking her. No one holds a copyright on how to run a wedding. She could very well take it as a compliment that you enjoyed her wedding so much, so I wouldn't hesitate to ask her.



Edit: CJ, that sounds like a good plan (inviting everyone to the after party) and the fact that it's on a Sunday makes sense. I think that's considerate of your guests who will have to travel to get home.



I had a finger-foods only reception, non-alcoholic (we're Methodist) and it was about 1.5 hours - but later people told me they thought it was too short! Go figure.
Reply:We did a small semi formal wedding with the reception in the same hall. We had cake, punch, chips, chicken nuggets and veggies, about 7:30 pm. lasted about 2 hours (no booze)

Asking your friend sounds like a good idea.
Reply:If you don't feed your guests a meal, I wouldn't make the reception last more than one or two hours. I mean, with getting there and the ceremony and the reception, if you have a 3 hour reception you're trying to have them go for maybe 4-6 hours without a meal. If you don't want to do a meal, I think it would be prudent to have a short reception. Also, if you're having alcohol and people are just drinking and eating finger foods for two hours, that can go poorly.
Reply:Good day,

Ask HER for advice and planning help. No one should be anything but flatter. I think its a great thing. Just be really careful on the party after wards, people who were invited to the wedding and reception, might get their feeling hurt to know that they are not welcome to after-party. May i ever offer, that after party not start for at least 2 hour after reception ends...you don't want to rush anyone. Happy nups to y'all
Reply:Our venue recommends:



Reception without sponsored dinner to follow:

One hour-10 pieces per person

Two hours-15 pieces per person

Three hours- 20 pieces per person