Wedding Trends, Wedding Planning, Wedding Tips
4 Modern Alternatives to the Seated Dinner Wedding Reception
Jan
Whether you are looking to cut the wedding budget into half or if you are set on booking your favourite venue but cannot have it for the evening of your wedding, not all weddings need to have a sit-down dinner during the reception. It is a common practice among modern couples but it isn’t necessarily required to have a seated dinner as part of the celebration after tying the knot.
Hence, more and more couples are opting for a different approach when it comes to the post-ceremony wedding celebration, especially if a formal event isn’t really the couple’s style. These alternatives get to have the same programme and the same traditions as any other wedding receptions, such as the cutting of the cake, the speeches and toasts, the first dance, and even the bouquet and garter tosses. The guests still get to enjoy with great food, awesome drinks, and a lovely crowd while the newlyweds still get to see everybody and celebrate their newly-formed union.
To give you a better idea of the different creative alternatives modern couples have when it comes to wedding receptions, here are a couple of great wedding reception style suggestions from Giftware Direct.
Cake and Champagne.
The simplest possible wedding reception alternative is just with cake and champagne. Quick and classy, handing out slices of the wedding cake and glasses of champagne can be done anywhere – even at the garden right across city hall or outside the chapel. Of course, you can serve other simple appetizers or hors d’ oeuvres but you can also just go for overflowing champagne and lovely cake slices as well. Great for quick weddings and small parties with only the newlyweds’ closest friends and dearest family members.
Tip: Make sure to indicate the arrangement from the start to give your guests a heads up. You may add the line “Cake and champagne with the newlyweds will closely follow.” right at the bottom of the wedding invitation.
Street-style Fun with Food Trucks.
For couples who would prefer a more casual vibe and for those with a more urban style, food trucks are convenient yet ultimately satisfying. Guests get to queue up and eat to their hearts’ desire from the menu or if the couple is getting multiple trucks then it becomes a street-side feast that’s hip and cool. The food trucks can be set right by the park or at an outdoor venue surrounded by benches, tables, and market lights.
Tip: There is usually a cap as to how much food is to be ordered for the evening and most likely the food truck only brings enough supplies for the party so better add in an extra margin of food so no one goes home hungry. In case there are extra servings, have them packed to-go so you and the remaining guests can have a midnight snack during the after-party drinks.
Casual Cocktails and Appetizers.
Thinking of having a laid-back adult-only gathering after the wedding? A cocktail reception might just be for you! Spread some comfy lounge seats and create intimate areas for the guests to chat and mingle during the party. Great for simple wedding celebrations with a small number of adult guests, willing to toast to the newlyweds and enjoy a relaxed night of love and happiness. You can have signature cocktails made just for the wedding day and you can also swap the wedding cake for a wedding cheese to truly match the wedding reception theme.
Tip: Aside from giving the guests a heads up about the cocktail party, also be prepared to call a cab or book a ride for the wedding guests who might not be able to drive home. Assign a member of the bridal party or a family member from each side to be the designated drivers just in case.
Breakfast, Lunch or Both?
Dinner isn’t required as the wedding reception celebration so why not pick a different time of day instead? Especially if the venue you wanted has been booked or if you are looking to cut costs, picking to have a brunch celebration is a great alternative that doesn’t have to be so different from dinner service. All your guests still get a sit-down meal and they can toast to the newlyweds with mimosas while you can still have all the traditional wedding program inclusions such as the first dance, the speeches, the toasts, and even the bouquet toss.
Tip: Take advantage of the early party and book an afternoon photo session with your photographer and the bridal party. If you still want to throw a smaller, more intimate after-party, you can host a small dinner with your closest buddies or have a special dinner with a both of your families to end the amazing day on a high note.
