Light dessert reception

[ZTA72]

in Nashville not done too much anymore, but definitely back in the day...cake and punch and "visiting with the family"about one hour in the church fellowship hall and the bride and groom leave...

[honeychile]

I had heard of this before, but only since I moved to Chicago have I seen it in action. It may be because I've always belonged to somewhat large churches, where you couldn't possibly ask everyone at church to a wedding. Now, it's considered rude if you don't do so, and sometimes, the bride & groom have a second, family only reception later.

Now that I think of it, I know that it's done in Washington State, too. Maybe it's a small church thing?

[GammaGirl1908]

I would take that as any of the above.

I.e., the important information is that it will be ONLY a few sweets (possibly just wedding cake), and maybe -- maybe -- a glass of champagne ... at most.

No full meal, and few, if any, savories. Don't arrive hungry.

I have heard of people serving only cake and nuts; apparently the nuts are the savory when that happens.

Personally, I've never been to a wedding reception that didn't involve at least enough nibbles and savories to fill up, including receptions billed as "heavy hors d'oeuvres." In fact, seldom have I been to a wedding that wasn't a full meal, or enough nibbles to count as one. Apparently that's a region-by-region thing.

All of that said, a wedding with just fondue sounds re-bleeping-pulsive. I went to a fondue party not long ago and there was a LOT of double-dipping. GAAAAACCCCKKKK.

I grew up, and still live, in Washington DC.

(edited because "lust fondue," while a hilarious typo, is not a real thing. I hope.)

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by GammaGirl1908

I would take that as any of the above.

I.e., the important information is that it will be ONLY a few sweets (possibly just wedding cake), and maybe -- maybe -- a glass of champagne ... at most.

No full meal, and few, if any, savories. Don't arrive hungry.

I have heard of people serving only cake and nuts; apparently the nuts are the savory when that happens.

Personally, I've never been to a wedding reception that didn't involve at least enough nibbles and savories to fill up, including receptions billed as "heavy hors d'oeuvres." In fact, seldom have I been to a wedding that wasn't a full meal, or enough nibbles to count as one. Apparently that's a region-by-region thing.

All of that said, a wedding with just fondue sounds re-bleeping-pulsive. I went to a fondue party not long ago and there was a LOT of double-dipping. GAAAAACCCCKKKK.

I grew up, and still live, in Washington DC.

(edited because "lust fondue," while a hilarious typo, is not a real thing. I hope.)

Hmmm "lust fondue" to me would be endless pound cake and a chocolate fountain. Yummmmmm!!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

in Nashville not done too much anymore, but definitely back in the day...cake and punch and "visiting with the family"about one hour in the church fellowship hall and the bride and groom leave...

Yep, this was the norm in our teeny town church when I was a kidlet. The last one of these I remember being at was for the pastor's daughter.

[EtaPhiZTA]

When I was married (twenty years ago) in suburban Chicago, I had two receptions. I had a punch and cake reception in the vestibule of my church for my students, their families, and other families in the church. My main traditional reception was two hours later at a reception hall.

It's been many years, but I believe we referred to the punch and cake reception as the "children's reception."