Emma's answers to The reception

Question

Our ceremony is at 2pm in our local register office. The evening reception is going to start at 6pm but we're on a very tight budget and can't afford a sit down meal after the ceremony and before the evening. I can't expect the guests to go home after the ceremony and then come back at 6pm. There will be about 70 people - what should we do?

Answer

You have a number of options here.

1. Move the ceremony to later in the day and go straight into your evening reception.
2. Word your invitations as follows:
The ceremony will take place at xxx at 2pm and there will be an evening reception at xxx at 6pm. You could then suggest places for guests to spend the afternoon. However, I would bear in mind that this might put some people off staying for the reception.
3. Have less people at your service and a small private reception in the afternoon, saving all the fun stuff like the cake cutting and speeches for when all guests come along in the evening.
4. After the ceremony, instead of a sit-down dinner, just have an informal finger buffet with sandwiches, crisps etc in a local pub - people will be very happy to stand and have a few drinks and a bite to eat until the evening party.

Emma x