to serve champagne and cake after my wedding ceremony

[spuffy]

I'm getting married in a couple of weeks in a venue with capacity for over 100 so we will be well spread out. We want to serve tea, coffee, a glass of champagne and some (individual) cakes after the ceremony but our venue are now asking us to sign a contract saying we won't serve any food. Is this other people's experience as well? We would have one person serving everyone while they remain seated. AIBU to think that everyone can make an individual risk assessment and decide if they want to eat and drink something after the ceremony rather than the venue dictating to us that we can't serve anything?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-ideas/covid-tier-system/amp/

Saw this online, looks like in tier 2 you can have a reception for 15 people? If so I would ask the hosts to discuss, e.g. can you go ahead with cake and champagne if also served with platters of sandwiches? To me that seems to be keeping within the alcohol rules and the wedding rules. I think for the reception people might be limited to sitting with their bubbles though.

I wouldn’t try arguing with them about people making their own risk assessment, that immediately makes you look highly unreasonable. They’re a business that will be fined regardless of someone’s personal risk assessment, its irrelevant.

As its only 15 now could you now have a meal and then cake and champagne

Why don’t you do a proper reception?

we gave everyone a load of cake and stuff after our ceremony.

Could people be given a goody bag as they arrive with something celebratory to eat and some drink maybe? water and a mini bottle of Mumm? maybe a posh snack selection with olives/ crackers/ mini cheese/ cupcakes themed to the wedding cake? and this would be an extra gift that they wouldn't need to eat there and then (but could if they had come a long way and were clemmed while awaiting the photos)?

Can you serve food outside the venue? In the car park?

How about everybody gets a drink of their choice and a pretty bag containing their cake?

The venue is within their rights to act as they see fit to comply with Covid restrictions, so it's their call, not yours - but perhaps a pretty gift, so they can have their cake at home afterwards would be a nice alternative?

Most venues even in normal times don't allow you go bring your own food , my sil got charged per person for serving wedding cake as dessert as she didn't have one of theirs . Food & drink is where they make the money

@Onjnmoeiejducwoapy Platters between more than two people aren’t considered “substantial” under the alcohol rule, and buffets aren’t allowed... so I think it’d have to be a more traditional meal. But it’d still be a reception!

@KatieGGGG

You can think what you like but it’s up to the venue what they do.

You said yourself after the ceremony. Only ceremonies are permitted not receptions.

Reschedule for next year if it’s that important to you or dish out party bags, but it’s absolutely not the venue being unreasonable.

Only in tier 3 I think? Think receptions are allowed in 1 and 2.

Dress your car boot up beautifully, or someone else's if you don't have a car. Have individually wrapped cupcakes/cake slices and single miniature bottles of fizz. Let people collect on their departure. I think it would be a lovely touch!

Be warned there is always a week long lag between announcements and then the detailed guidance being updated.

The weddings guidance linked above was last updated on 6th November so hasn't been changed to reflect the new tier systems

Many congrats OP I really feel for all brides to be, enjoy your special day.

I thought weddings are still only 15 people or fewer?

Also, it’s not up to you- if the venue have said you can’t serve food, then you can’t serve food.

@Hardbackwriter ah maybe a misunderstanding there on my part.

@spuffy sorry for the misunderstanding.

I hope you find a solution x

Sad to say you have to do what venue wants

When COVID came in did they not say what would happen

Guests 15 from 100.

Food.

If they don’t want to serve food then when you leave , off the venue then have bubbly in car and some cake and go and sit somewhere

We were meant to get married in may this year. Obv cancelled in March :(

Moved to may next year

Found out this week venue has been sold and shutting for refurbishment

We have 5mths to find a venue that is

Free on a sat in may

Local

In our budget

That we like

Places we spoke to varied from booked , not taking new bookings, wouldn’t cater if 15 as not worth their while , or charging silly money for minimum 15/30 if allowed so they make money

Hope you have a nice wedding day

If we find somewhere then obv would prefer more then 15 but just want to get married now

Marriage is more important then a wedding day

@Blondeshavemorefun really sorry to hear that and I so hope that you find somewhere to get married.

People have made some really nice suggestions such as goody bags or car boot toast. I'll go for something along those lines.

I do see that I'm being a bit unreasonable. I wouldn't want myself or anyone else to risk a fine. I guess I just had a little meltdown earlier but I've pulled myself together now.

@spuffy have you asked venue why they won’t do food

You are allowed in t2

Is it as you aren’t buying their food

Was the plan a meal originally