to have an afternoon tea wedding reception?

[pinknight]

We're planning on a small wedding, under 20 people including us. The ceremony will be at a registry office

Reception venues seem to want minimum 50 guests and insist on us paying for things like DJs which we definitely don't want (the guests will mainly be over 50).

Then if you have sit downs you have to pick the same starter, main and dessert which isn't ideal.

I've found a hotel nearby that does afternoon tea receptions which sounds nice, but I'm thinking, will it be enough food? It says sandwichers, cakes, champagyne, tea etc are included.

What would you think if you went to something like this, and do you think it's enough to fill people up?

What is the etc? Or is it just sandwich and cake as food? Are you allowed to bring more food if you arrange it yourself?

Yes I think it would be enough food.

Afternoon tea is what I’d do for a small wedding, it’s something most would enjoy I think.

I think it sounds charming. Just make it clear that it's an 'afternoon tea' reception and your (lucky) guests will know what to expect. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding 🙂

Depends on the timing of the wedding but I think it sounds lovely.

I think that sounds lovely, I would enjoy that more as a guest than the many 'meh' full meals I've had at weddings.

Depends what time you are getting married I think. If around 2pm, most people will probably grab a bite to eat before the ceremony, so a tea will be fine. Getting married at 12pm people may be a little hungrier.

HOWEVER it is YOUR wedding! Do what YOU want. If you put it in the invites what will be available, then people have the opportunity to eat before. No big deal.

Congratulations!

It sounds lovely.
Just state on the invitation 'Wedding ceremony followed by afternoon tea reception at X.' That way people know what to expect.

That sounds perfect, I’d love it!

Sounds perfect for a lovely intimate wedding. Quite jealous!

What’s the time line for the wedding
Eg if the ceremony is at 2 and then the tea afterwards do you expect the “day” to be finished by 5-6 in the evening ?
Or do you intend of having people stay later ?

I think it depends on what time the wedding is and what time the reception is in terms of when your guests will have last had a proper meal, or when they will be next getting one.

For example, if your wedding is at midday and the reception is at 2ish then it’s a long time for people to go from having their breakfast to then having a few cakes and two triangles of sandwiches. Especially if they then have to wait another few hours until they can go home and have an actual meal.

It sounds lovely and you can do what you like but just be mindful that guests may be feeling hungry if this is the only food they’re offered during a day.

Congratulations on getting married

So long as there are plenty of sandwiches and cake it sounds lovely. I have heard of some horror stories where guests barely got anything at afternoon tea weddings but if you have that firmly in mind when discussing the arrangements it should all be great.

Let guests know what to expect and they can make sure they’ve had a meal beforehand if they need to.

I think it sounds lovely too but I suppose it slightly depends what time you are wrapping things up. If you're expecting people to party till midnight they might need more fuel but if you are doing wedding, afternoon tea, carriages at 6pm sort of thing like at a christening it sounds fine

I'm in two minds about this. I've been to an afternoon tea wedding where it was drastically undercatered, there weren't enough savoury options and by 5pm I a) had a sugar headache and b) I was hungry again.

However, my DSis is having an afternoon tea at her wedding at about 4pm, followed by a hog roast at around 8, and I think that will be enough food so it'll be fine (she's gone heavy on savouries for the tea). So. Yes, I think an afternoon tea for a wedding would be lovely but make sure there are plenty of savoury options to fill up on!

I think that sounds lovely!

I definitely would have no problems and I’m sure the majority of your guests will love it as they are older.

My friend had a lovely afternoon tea reception. Her wedding was at 1.30pm then afternoon tea at 3 followed by an evening reception. I think she had between 40 and 50 people to the ceremony and afternoon tea.
Lots of the elderly guests left about 5.30 after the food.
It was a fantastic day.

I always feel pretty full up after afternoon tea (and I have a fairly big appetite), so as long as you don't stint on quantity it should be fine imo.

It's fine as long as people know what to expect.

And check what they can offer for people with food allergies or intolerances.

A concern with Afternoon Tea is that it’s all cake, creams, butters and bread which for people who can’t have dairy or wheat/gluten may prove to be problematic. As long as the establishment can accommodate such allergies and offer alternatives then hopefully it will be fine.

It's what we had and it was glorious. We got married in the early afternoon in a hotel then had tea. We had three coeliacs and they catered magnificently for us all. There were a good selection of sandwiches, scones, jam & cream, and lots of little individual cakes. Endless tea and coffee available. Everyone enjoyed it (we had six children and six adults).

It gave our guests a good bit of choice, and it was relatively informal - just what we wanted.

Do it! I wish I'd done this at my wedding.

With this number you could easily book a private room at a restaurant- no DJ etc required and can order from the regular menu. No need to pay inflated "Wedding" prices for anything either.
Some of my fave weddings have been small ones at restaurants.

I think as long as the quantities are good and guests aren't travelling from too far it's fine.

Went to one last year and it was lovely. They had an evening reception with a hog roast but if you’re not having a late reception/party then don’t see why it wouldn’t be fine. If you are expecting guests to stay and party then you will need more food later.