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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have an afternoon tea wedding reception?

210 replies

pinknight · 21/07/2018 12:20

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?

OP posts:
ChrisNReed · 23/07/2018 18:55

Book a room for 20 and order food etc but do not say it is a wedding reception. Some journalist did a test and called venues, once for a hall booking and then for a wedding reception, both same features and services (eg food, bar etc). The wedding reception was always priced much higher.

sprinkleofsunshine · 23/07/2018 18:57

Sounds lovely OP!

Vicky1990 · 23/07/2018 19:12

You do what you want its your day.
It sounds great what you are planing and we would much prefer to go to this than a sit down meal, very expensive and normally disapointing.
Congratulations to you both.

dorisdog · 23/07/2018 19:17

I would LOVE to be invited to a wedding that serves afternoon tea! Sandwiches, champagne, cakes - what's not to like :-) Congratulations.

Sparklyglitter · 23/07/2018 19:26

As long as you make sure you have the wedding at a time that people can eat lunch before and you make it very clear it’s afternoon tea I think it’s a really lovely idea! Smile

Thebelleofstmarys · 23/07/2018 19:37

That's what we did on August 6th last year and it worked brilliantly on every level ! Finished at 5 , quick rest til 7 then dinner at the same hotel for close family ( we all stayed either there or 10 minutes walk away) . Perfect .

Wishing you an equally gorgeous day full of happy memories .

MountainHedgehog · 23/07/2018 19:59

Sounds a perfect wedding reception. Every afternoon tea I have ever eaten has left me feeling stuffed!

MountainHedgehog · 23/07/2018 20:00

@sparklyglitter I would actually not eat lunch if I was told it was afternoon tea, as I would consider that enough food and just have a big or late breakfast

Popsicle434544 · 23/07/2018 20:01

We are having afternoon tea at our wedding, scones, home made jams, clotted cream, finger sarnies and little cakes.
Our service is at 4pm so don't need a huge sit down meal

Feelthethunder · 23/07/2018 20:24

I think it's beautifully intimate.

If I was to get married, this would be something I would like.

Blueink · 23/07/2018 21:00

My friend had this, it worked really well. She had a vintage 1950’s theme, with a mix of patterned china tea cups & saucers.

Raven88 · 23/07/2018 21:01

That sounds lovely.

kaytee87 · 23/07/2018 21:05

It really depends on the timings of your wedding. If you expect people to stay late then they will need more food later.
Married at 2pm, afternoon tea at 3pm and finish at 6pm - fine.

Teeniemiff · 23/07/2018 21:08

My inlaws were at a wedding reception recently where afternoon tea was served & when we arrived on the evening they were all starving. Travelled maybe an hour on the morning so had a small breakfast. Then had 3/4 finger sandwiches & 1 scone (no dietary requirements asked so MIL struggled with fillings).
I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all but think quantityidt be generous & I would probably ask if a few saveoitu items could be added - sausage rolls, pork pie. Maybe a bit like a ploughman’s

Teeniemiff · 23/07/2018 21:11

Sorry terrible spelling typos!
I meant sounds a nice idea but I think the quantity needs to be generous & it really depends on timings. This particular
Wedding was a 12pm ceremony so was not sufficient really for the length of day

Ohyesiam · 23/07/2018 21:11

Sounds great.
I think it’s ok to serve exactly what you want, providing guests know. so if you are having the ceremony at 2, people know to eat lunch before they come.

FaveNumberIs2 · 23/07/2018 21:16

I think it’s no one’s business but yours, it’s your day and you need to make the choice.

That said, I think your idea sounds wonderful xxx

searose · 23/07/2018 21:20

Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate a wedding.

OlennasWimple · 23/07/2018 21:20

I've been to two lovely, small weddings that had an afternoon tea reception. Just make sure that they have scones and clotted cream Smile

CasanovaFrankenstein · 23/07/2018 21:34

Sounds ace. Just check top ups of sandwiches are available though tbf I'm always amazed how filling those little sandwiches are.

JerryGiraffe · 23/07/2018 21:35

I went to a wedding earlier this that served afternoon tea instead of a wedding breakfast and it was absolutely beautiful. There was more than enough to eat, none of us were even hungry in the evening when more food was being served. It's a lovely idea, go for it!

strivingforsuccess · 23/07/2018 21:39

Sounds fab - can I be invited?! 😍

trilbydoll · 23/07/2018 21:41

It's fine as long as the timings are right. Decent afternoon tea is easily filling enough as long as you've had a big lunch.

Also please provide something other than tea. I don't drink tea or coffee and the staff are baffled by this. Last time we went to an afternoon tea party we had to ask 3 times for juice for the kids (funnily enough my 3yo doesn't drink tea...) I just had some of their drinks because clearly nothing cold was on offer for adults!

WereAllBladesArentWe · 23/07/2018 21:41

OP - your wedding, your rules. Dems the breaks for anyone else.

It sounds lovely & I would be charmed to receive an invite to a celebration like that. Congratulations !

manicmij · 23/07/2018 22:23

Perhaps you could arrange vol au vents or small sausage rolls to be included in the catering. Sounds a lovely way to celebrate your wedding. Take it the timing of the occasion fits well with afternoon tea and there is no likelihood of guests expecting to be entertained/fed later.