I was thinking of having a cocktail and canapés wedding reception which would run between the hours of 4-6pm. Has anybody else done similar? If so how have u arranged seating? did you use a seating plan? How were the canapés served? Any information would be much obliged! Thank you
CommentAuthorInDreamland
We had drinks and canapés on arrival at the reception venue after the church ceremony at approx 3pm followed by the wedding breakfast at approximately 5pm. The drinks and canapés were just for people to pick at whilst standing around chatting and during the photos.
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CommentAuthorInDreamland
Canapés were brought around by waiters on trays and people picked what they wanted.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorVictoriaL46
We're also having canapés which will be the starter and served with fruit cocktail drinks hopefully in the fountain area of my venue (or lower floors of castle if weather isn't great), there is no seating plan as this will be a mingling session for guests while photos are also being taken so everyone will mostly be standing or sitting in already provided chairs etc before being moved to the pavilion where WB will take place.
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CommentAuthorWelshBrideBethan2015
At one point we were only having cocktails and canapés 4-6pm and this was going to be in the museum garden and welcome room where there is seating however now we are having a sit down meal a H2B changed his mind! However when discussing the cocktail canapés reception with venue they did offer for people to be seated like a sit down meal so I would speak to venue and ask how they have done this kind of reception before :)
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i love the idea of doing this, it can sometimes work out expensive though! so im not sure?
CommentAuthor*The NewMrsMalin*
We having chocolate dipped strawberrys and tea/coffee but not providing seating; it's just something for guests to enjoy when photos are taking place.
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CommentAuthorbarbie86
We had a drinks reception with canapés; it was between the ceremony and wedding breakfast (1.50-3.30) and was designed so we had time for a few photos, and also so that we could mingle with our guests and relax rather than rushing straight into a sit-down meal. We had the whole hotel so were able to have different 'sections': there was a room with seating and no music, and then one with no seating and the string trio playing. Seating definitely isn't a must for this sort of thing (you certainly don't need tables) though I'd provide some for any less able-bodied guests.
With regards to how it was served, the staff just kept circulating with the drinks and canapés and ensured everyone was offered them. We allowed 2 drinks pp which was enough, and we probably over-catered slightly on canapés (we had 5 choices and could probably have gone with 4).
In terms of cost, the canapés cost £7.50 pp (ie £1.50 per item) and one of the drinks was included in our £30pp drinks package (along with half a bottle of wine and a glass of champagne for the toast), with us paying an additional £7pp for the extra drink, which we didn't think was too bad.
CommentAuthor*KelBel*
We are having pimms and canapés ( choice of four) but just as a pre fill before the meal so approx 1.30-3 while the photos being taken not as a replacement x
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CommentAuthorSamiH92
hmm not sure now, we were thinking of scrapping the WEDDING BREAKFAST idea all together and just having the cocktails and canapés for the reception... but I like the idea of a wedding breakfast now!!!! oh decisions, decisions..... My venue that I chosen hasn't got a set price for the wedding breakfast (e.g. 30 pound a head) all the starters and mains and desserts are priced separately. I think il haver o speak directly to my venue. Thanks for the advice guys!
CommentAuthorMrsEmmaP
We are skipping the wedding reception and having the ceremony at around 5pm, then an hour/ hour and half for canapes and drinks whilst we are having photos taken, then we are going straight on to the evening buffet at around 6.30. We are not having a seating plan as it will just be in the bar of our venue so guests can sit or stand where they like and mingle. We are just having a waiter go around with the canapes but may have some on tables that guests can get themselves :) x
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CommentAuthorbarbie86
Sami: What are your timings? (ceremony etc) Becaue if you're having a later ceremony it might be wise to skip the wedding breakfast; ours took about 2 hours, and the drinks reception another hour, so even though we got married at 1pm, we hadn't finished eating until pushing 6pm, and our evening reception started at 7pm, so things were tight.
If you do decide not to have a wedding breakfast though, make sure you serve substantial food in the evening. I would probably have a 1.5 hour drinks reception with canapes after the ceremony, during which you can have photos taken, and then go straight into the evening reception and have a substantial buffet, or BBQ/hog roast.
If your ceremony is early though (2pm or earlier) I think a wedding breakfast would be best so that guests don't get hungry.
