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?

@SinglePringle

No worries. Judge me as you wish.

@keyboardkate no judgement just at such a strange response.

We had afternoon tea at the Ritz and it was one of the nicest and most filling meals I’ve ever had. They just kept coming with food! We went around 7pm because it was after work, so we were thinking we might need to eat something when we got home, but we very definitely didn’t. Everything was seasoned perfectly and tasted delicious. I don’t know why people assume cold food is automatically less substantial than hot.

People on mumsnet can be dicks about weddings. Ultimately, you are providing a day out and free food and the vast majority of normal people appreciate that and enjoy whatever is provided.

Congratulations, and have a lovely day. It sounds perfect.

I think it sounds lovely. Is there no evening do? This is fine but needs to be made clear.
As pp said, taxi at 5.30 to the airport or thereabouts sounds like a fab idea, up to the guests what they want to do after but it won't be your concern.

I really think people have had some skimpy, mean-spirited afternoon teas if they were still hungry afterwards. They need to be lavish! Plenty of selection.

When we booked ours I thought it would be one tea per head, so for us, 12 teas. The hotel manager was laughing- you'll never eat it all, she said, you need 2 teas for three people. I was a bit concerned but she was very reassuring and said the chef would do us extra scones, cream and jam if there was anyone needing more.

Even with six kids only having a dutiful sandwich, before inhaling scones and cake, we were nowhere near eating it all. Masses of food.

Add a cheese tower maybe if you want to make it more of a savoury meal?

We had an afternoon tea instead of a 3 course. It was lovely, served at around 4:15pm (married at 3, add on photo time etc). The scones were huge, as were the brownies and lemon squares. Lots of sandwiches. Plenty of tea and coffee, plus fizz. Nobody went hungry, everyone was stuffed and we had a buffet in the evening that was much bigger than expected too.

what exactly is provided per head - quantity and quality can really vary.

Sorry haven't read the thread but I used to work for a wedding catering company. A lot of the smaller weddings would have an afternoon tea instead of a 3 course meal. It always went down well.

Very chic - but best to be clear as to timing. So many weddings go on and on now so I think some people expect to stay into the evening.

Assuming you are getting married in the afternoon and people leave around 6.30 then this will be great - and people will be much happier than with one of those long drawn out events.

I hope it's a really lovely day for you .

I’ve never had an afternoon tea and felt hungry afterwards. I’m usually stuffed after an afternoon tea. Do it.

Freaking brilliant! Go for it.

Op our oldest son got married last summer. Church wedding and a walk back with reception in our garden.

We got the local tea shop to do afternoon tea so sandwiches cakes and Champaign. Strawberries and cream. They laid it out with all the chins and flowers and it was stunning.

We had 30 people. Cost is £ 450 and the vicar cane abd said it was the best most traditional laid back family wedding celebration he had been to in years.

Do it.

China not chins

There were 32 people at our wedding, we had a similar issue about venues and in the end booked a lovely pub near us to do our wedding breakfast. We opted for 4 courses for ours and then had a larger reception in the evening with a buffet. But a pub would allow you more option. I decorated the place and had table settings etc it looked amazing.

We did once go to a wedding who did an afternoon tea and it wasn’t enough food in my opinion, hubby and I were still hungry afterward.

Sounds utterly perfect! Do what you want to do, it's your wedding - have no regrets!

Congratulations

Sounds lovely. If they have the sandwiches, scones and cakes on those tiered cake stands it looks so elegant and perfect for a wedding. You and H2B could go this weekend order the afternoon tea and see how much they provide per person and then you can judge if its enough.

I think sounds perfect

Sounds lovely. And it’s what couples did back in the day.

Hello. My brother in law had an afternoon tea following their ceremony and it was lovely. Their wedding was early afternoon so it was perfect timing. If you're planning the festivities to continue in the evening may be worth laying on a buffet later on. They had a hog roast in the eve and the sweetie trolley was memorable too.

It will be lovely. Don't book anywhere that calls it a wedding, it will double the price

That’s sounds lovely and intimate.

Do you know whether any of your guests have dietary needs? I can’t eat wheat, so sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche, and cake would all be off the menu for me.

I think it’s sounds great
Wonderfully different
Do it op

Sounds wonderful! I’d double check but normally afternoon tea is sandwiches, scones and cakes, I’m normally full to bursting after an afternoon tea and I’m a greedy guts!!

BottleBeach I don’t eat gluten or lactose and I’ve never had a problem with afternoon tea (it’s something I do quite a lot with friends) , most places will adapt to dietary needs.