Light dessert reception
 

If you went to a wedding, and the RSVP said "Light dessert reception," what would you take that as? Cookies and the Cake? Fondue? Candy?

If you answer, please tell me in what part of the country (or world) you grew up or live now.

(It's not an invitation I received, but a friend who was invited to a church friend/family's wedding. She doesn't know them well, but pretty much the entire church was invited anyway. I just think it's interesting as I've never heard of it. I'm in New England, maybe that's why?)

I live in the South. I have never seen this on a wedding invitation, but I would expect that it would be something more than cake and punch, but not very substantial. Wedding cakes are big here (along with the groom's cake), so those would be a given and other desserts unnecessary, but maybe another option and a few savories. In other words, don't come too hungry! :) The desserts are the best part about wedding receptions, anyway!

I live on the east coast, I've not heard of this before. I would assume the light dessert reception would include cake(s), maybe a chocolate fountain, cookies, and perhaps coffee and tea. I googled dessert reception and found this interesting article with some other examples of focused receptions.

Dessert Reception - This type of reception is one in which desserts are served. Desserts can include pies, cakes, doughnuts, cookies, pastries, brownies, etc. Another option, which can be combined with a normal dessert reception if you'd like, is a sundae bar. In this type of reception, you serve bowls of ice cream (usually vanilla) and let your guests choose their topping. Toppings can include chocolate or fudge sauce, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, crushed walnuts, whipped cream, fruit toppings, etc. Basically, the same things you'd find in any sundae bar. Summer is the most common time of year for a sundae bar. A normal dessert bar can be used year round though as there are desserts specific to season. For example, pumpkin pie and apple pie would be a great choice for fall weddings. This type of reception is also an example of an inexpensive choice if you purchase the items on your own.

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/970303b.cfm

Dessert Reception
 

The couple might have included this info. with their invitation so that guests do not come expecting to be fed a meal. The info. might also suggest that there will be no open bar, although I have heard of this type of reception where an alcoholic punch or champagne (for a toast) was served.

Perhaps it is like the receptions I attended when growing up-cake, punch, coffee, mixed nuts and soft, homemade (incredible!!) mints. Mints and punch most often matched the bridesmaids dresses.

I grew up in North Florida(very southern) and still live in Florida, although now in South Florida-don't ask me about traditions down here-they are a hybrid of a lot of other regions.

In less urban parts of Texas, I've heard this referred to as a "punch and pie" reception. It's common in many smaller churches to invite the entire congregation to the wedding. This will often be a brief reception to congratulate the couple and the "real" reception will be after this at a private location.

Cookie table? (hope springs eternal - some day I hope to be in attendance at a wedding with a famed cookie table).

Yes, I have heard of this in the midwest. Mostly in smaller towns, usually in situations where it would be rude to not invite the church, neighborhood, office, etc but don't want to or can't afford that type of expense. There is cake and a variety of other desserts with a few drink options like punch, tea, soft drinks. Then there is a private luncheon or dinner afterward at a different location. I have been to one and I could have made a full meal of desserts! Not a very healthy meal but I left stuffed because I wanted to try a little of everything.

In my part of the South, the groom's cake would be served at the rehearsal dinner, not at the wedding reception.

As for other desserts, the sit-down meal with courses (and wedding cake for dessert) is a fairly new thing around here and is still far from universal. The "traditional"reception is a stand-up affair with lots of finger foods and small serving foods, including a number of sweet foods other than wedding cake—cookies, small tarts, mousse, etc.

But no cookie table. :(

South Park!

http://www.overthinkingit.com/wp-con...ndpieemail.jpg

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/3854531584/h96B305B2/

http://www.kombuchakamp.com/wp/wp-co...d-pie-bear.jpg

Ooh, I think I like that idea--that way you don't have to make the difficult decision about which to choose (although sometimes they go ahead and give a slice of each on each plate; nice so you can have both without having to sneak back to not look piggy). One of my bridesmaids was from Chicago and had never seen a groom's cake at a wedding. She thought it was genius to have chocolate cake at a wedding!

I went a couple of weddings in the St. Louis area where the wedding cake was cut, then placed in a decorative bag for you to take home.
"So you don't eat the cake now?"
"No, you take it home and put in under your pillow and dream of your true love."

I'm from the Northeast and had never seen such an invitation up there, but have heard of this happening more frequently in the South. I think it's usually referred to as a "cake and punch" reception, or something along those lines. I would definitely expected to at least have cake and some assorted cookies/brownies, as well as a sweet drink and/or champagne. There may or may not be much else, I guess it would depend on the host's definition of "light". If they come from an area where it is expected to invited the entire church community to the wedding, a light dessert reception can be seen as a great way to host their guests while keeping costs at a minimum. I would attend this event after eating a full meal, but would probably do so at least an hour before the ceremony so that you will be able to enjoy the desserts when the time comes.

In the town I grew up in, and when I was growing up, it was quite normal to place a copy of the wedding invitation as an insert in the church bulletin and to run a copy of the invitation in the local newspaper. Actual invitations were only sent to family, close friends and out-of-town guests.

And the reception afterward was the full reception, though as I said before, it was usually a stand-up reception. If it was at the church, which it often was, there was no alcohol—unless the church in question was the Episcopal church. ;)

Very interesting. The family of the bride is huge - she has a ton of brothers and sisters. They are in Tennessee. It's definitely a "everyone is invited" thing. It's immediately after the ceremony and being held in the church basement. There's also no alcohol - they are very, um, evangelical and don't drink at all.

I really want to see what it's really like, so I'm making her take a ton of pictures! Thank you!

My cousin, who grew up in Kentucky, had one at her wedding in Tennessee. Sadly, I was unable to attend, but, knowing her family, I would imagine the entire congregation was there.