What would you think if you came to this wedding

[SuperBadPig]

Early afternoon ceremony
Pimms/cider/soft drink while a few pictures are taken
Champagne toast& cut cake
Sandwich platters & cake, tea/coffee
Music, dancing, hog roast (&vegetarian option)

Cash bar throughout. No table plan, no speeches (just a toast and a quick thank you)

Hmm, I’ve got to be honest, I’d think “where’s my dinner?” But it does depend a bit on the timing.

It sounds nice in principle but would depend on timings really.

As long as their are plenty of seats for everyone to sit in while eating then sounds lovely.

Might be worth letting people know that it's afternoon tea rather than a full meal though.

We've been to weddings like this, they were very enjoyable. However if they'd said on the invite it was afternoon tea I would have eaten something more than a sandwich before leaving for the wedding.

I'd happily accept your invitation!
Some friends of ours did similar a few years ago and it was the nicest wedding we've ever been to (better than our own!)
They wrote on the invitation that there would be no formal sit down meal as they wanted people to feel as relaxed as possible throughout the day/evening.
People should also remember that what they're given to eat at a wedding doesn't cost them anything, so they should be grateful; especially when some people are using foodbanks.

Sound similar to my BILs wedding. It was a lovely relaxed affair. They did a hog roast plus a fish and chip van at about 9pm. But they did do a free bar as it was at a beautiful village hall. We had a great time. But don’t think my MIL was very happy. She is very traditional and complained that folk didn’t know what was coming next. She is pretty hard work so I mostly ignored her (and I hope the bride and groom also did!)

I’d flip the hog roast (though be never had a good one) with the sandwiches, then do speech and cake cutting, then the dancing stuff, then sandwiches and cake for the remaining diehards.

Sounds lovely. So much nicer than the marathon weddings with all the formality and waiting around.

I'd much rather attend this sort of wedding than the country house hotel types with hours of hanging around.

What I would say is that I would probably be hungry depending on the timescale. If the hog roast wasn't until 8-9pm then light sandwiches wouldn't be enough food and one thing I hate with weddings is if I get hungry (that's not to be horrible, just honest, I'm more bothered about enough food than alcohol)
Maybe with the sandwiches have a range of savoury pastries, canapes, sandwiches, nice sausage rolls, finger food to bulk it out. Then have the hog roast at 6ish.

It sounds like a lovely day.

It all sounds lovely and relaxed, but just make sure there’s enough food and dietary requirements are thought about. My dh has a yeast allergy so would struggle most of what you’ve suggested (granted this is a pretty rare allergy). Absolutely fine with a cash bar.

Wow thank you for all your quick replies and feedback!

Sorry timetable not clear, sandwiches and cake would be fairly early on, hog roast later on in evening.

I think it’s fairly normal to only offer a choice of a couple of drinks after the ceremony isn’t it? Most people we know drink at least one of those and there is the option of the bar if they want anything else.

None of the guests have any food allergies or intolerances so we don’t need to cater for all dietary restrictions but I take on board that sandwiches and cake are very carb heavy and a bit limited. Will have a think about what else we could incorporate into that without too much difficulty (suggestions welcome!)

There is plenty of seating but in three separate areas and not all is at a table (most is but not all)

So potentially ceremony at 2.30, sandwiches 4.30, hog roast 7ish is vaguely what we were thinking. Some of the more elderly family members are likely to leave after the tea rather than stay into the evening.

I don't do sandwiches so a bit of salads of something non sanwichy would be appreciated.

I also find hog roasts quite disappointing but the sides are usually really good

Hog roast, cake and no speeches? I can be available at short notice...

The sides like great stuffing and and Apple sauce!
The best hog roasts don't skimp on the stuffing.

It is normal to only offer one or two drinks after the ceremony but I've never been to a wedding where it's been cider and only occasionally Pimms. Prosecco or Bucks Fizz are more usual.

It’s a no to Pimms from me I’m afraid, OP. Actually, I’d ditch the cider too, and just go with Bucks Fizz and lots of it.

I wouldn't do a hog roast as many of my friends and family are Jewish. Probably some other type of barbecue. However I am sure you know if many of your friends avoid pork for religious reasons.

I would say it sounds great unless there will be a long queue for the hog roast, as if you are at the back of the queue, you will have essentially gone all day with nothing other than sandwiches. Especially if you also have to queue for the sandwiches. If you add in sunshine and booze, could be risky. I would also be careful what alternatives to sandwiches and finger food you serve if some people won’t have tables to sit at. Most people love getting their glad rags on which is not so good if you are balancing a dressed salad on your knee.

I think do whatever welcome drinks you want if the bar is open. I went to one which served a fancy, fruity drink and I just went to the bar to get what I wanted.

Sounds perfect. Love the drink choices too!

Sounds amazing! I think you have the timings spot on too.

Hmm now I’m confused about the drinks! Pimms usually goes down well with our friends and family and we’re doing fizz later with the afternoon tea. Most weddings I’ve been to recently have had pimms either as well as or instead of Bucks Fizz so I didn’t think it was that odd. The cider is because we’re in cider county and most people we know drink it so seemed a ‘safe’ alternative to the pimms for those that don’t drink it

I think Pimms is a lovely drink for a Summer Wedding.
And a nice refreshing cider is always welcome here!
Sounds like a lovely wedding.

I'd be very happy with Pimms or cider OP. Maybe orange juice or a nice virgin cocktail too for teetotals?

Sounds lovely