A Wedding Without A Meal: Is It Possible?

There is nothing wrong with having a wedding without a meal. However, guests will expect some sort of food, especially if the wedding is around dinnertime. It is important to communicate the meal situation to your guests upfront. If you are serving food, it is also important to have a place for everyone to sit, even if they won't be eating at their tables.

Communicate your plans clearly to your guests

It is important to be very clear with your guests about what they can expect at your wedding. This will help to manage their expectations and ensure that they are not left hungry or disappointed. Here are some ways to do this:

• Invitations: Make sure your invitations clearly state whether there will be a full dinner, heavy appetizers, light appetizers, dessert only, or any other food options. This is especially important for guests who may need to bring a backup snack for health reasons. You could use wording such as "cocktail reception to follow" or "heavy appetizers will be served".
• Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, use it to provide additional details about the food and drink that will be available. Be explicit about what guests can expect, especially if you are only serving sweet treats and cake. The more information guests have, the better prepared they will be.
• Word of Mouth: Consider asking close friends and family to spread the word about the food arrangements to ensure that guests are aware and can plan accordingly.
• Timing: The timing of your wedding can also help to set expectations. If you are having a daytime wedding or an event that starts outside of typical dinner hours, guests may be less likely to expect a full meal. However, it is still important to communicate your plans clearly.
• Seating: Ensure that there is enough seating for all of your guests, especially if they will not be eating at their tables. A mix of lounge areas, high-tops, and regular tables with chairs can create a comfortable atmosphere.

Provide enough seating for all your guests

Providing enough seating for your guests is essential to making sure they are comfortable. You can include a mix of lounge areas, high-top tables, and regular tables with chairs. You can even ask the venue staff to bring over chairs from the ceremony area for more seating. Make sure there is a place for everyone to sit, even if they won't be eating at their tables.

If you are planning an event without a plated lunch or dinner, it can be easy to forget that having adequate seating is essential. Christiane Lehman, a Philadelphia-based wedding planner and owner of Truly You Events, recommends having more than enough seating to accommodate everyone. This way, guests can enjoy the drinks and small plates without feeling like they need to lay claim to a particular table.

Having a mix of high-top tables, low cocktail tables, lounges, benches, vignettes, and seating pods will create a comfortable atmosphere where guests can mix, mingle, and easily find a seat so they can enjoy the food. A wedding reception without tables and chairs will just lead to a lot of awkward and uncomfortable standing.

Serve enough food to fill your guests up

While it is possible to have a wedding without a sit-down meal, it's important to serve enough food to fill your guests up. Here are some tips to ensure your guests are satisfied without a traditional dinner:

Heavy Hors d'oeuvres

Offer a variety of substantial hors d'oeuvres that will leave your guests feeling like they've had a complete meal. Aim for protein-rich options such as shrimp cocktail, steak kebabs, tuna tartare, chicken wings, sliders, and mini tacos. Consult with your caterer to ensure a good balance of options and enough quantity to satisfy your guest count.

Appetizer Stations

Instead of passed hors d'oeuvres, consider setting up appetizer stations to ensure all your guests have access to the food. This can include options like beef sliders, shrimp shooters, spring rolls, fruit skewers, and more. Plan for at least two single appetizer portions per guest, but three to five portions is ideal to ensure everyone gets their fill.

Brunch or Lunch Options

Serving a meal other than dinner, such as brunch or lunch, can be a fun and memorable option. Offer a variety of options such as a Bloody Mary bar, an on-site barista, an omelette station, pastries, or a light lunch with fruity Bellinis. People tend to eat and drink less during the day, so this can also help with budgeting.

Buffet-style or Family-style Service

If you opt for a buffet or family-style meal, keep in mind that guests tend to serve themselves larger portions. Have extras of everything on hand to ensure there is enough food. You may also consider hiring staff to serve from the buffet line to help maintain consistent portions.

Late-Night Snacks

If your wedding celebration goes into the late hours, offer some post-dinner bites to satisfy your guests. Charcuterie boards, chicken and waffles, or other snacks can be a great way to refuel your guests' energy for continued festivities.

Plan your wedding for a time that doesn't clash with typical dinner hours

Planning a wedding without a meal is a great way to save money and be creative. However, it is important to plan the wedding at a time that does not clash with typical dinner hours. Here are some tips to help you plan your wedding for a time that doesn't overlap with mealtimes:

• Choose a suitable time: Opt for a daytime soiree or an evening dance party. If you're having a wedding without dinner, make sure to give your guests enough time to eat before they arrive. Consider starting your event at 8 pm so that guests can have dinner and get ready beforehand.
• Be mindful of your guests' needs: Keep in mind that guests will expect some food at a wedding, especially if it takes place around dinnertime. Make it clear in your invitations whether you'll be serving a full dinner, heavy appetizers, light appetizers, dessert, or any other food options. This is crucial for guests who may need to bring their own snacks due to health reasons.
• Provide a variety of seating options: Ensure that there is a mix of lounge areas, high-top tables, and regular tables with chairs. You can even ask the venue staff to bring over chairs from the ceremony area to provide additional seating.
• Offer heavy appetizers: Appetizers are perfectly acceptable, even for a dinnertime wedding. Aim for heavier hors d'oeuvres that will leave your guests feeling satisfied, as if they've had a complete meal. Discuss balanced options with your caterer.
• Consider the guests' travel plans: If many of your guests are travelling for the wedding, they might feel upset about having to pay for their own meals on top of accommodation and travel expenses. In such cases, it might be better to provide a meal or choose a time that doesn't clash with typical dinner hours.

Consider having a food truck at your wedding

While it is possible to have a wedding without a sit-down meal, it's important to communicate this to your guests so they can plan to eat beforehand. You can still include food at your wedding, such as appetisers, brunch, or a dessert reception.

Food trucks are a fun and interactive way to personalise your wedding day and offer your guests delicious, authentic food. They are also a more economical option, ranging from $10-$25 per person, compared to the average price of traditional catering, which is $85 per person.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to using a food truck. Firstly, they may not be able to serve a large number of guests simultaneously, which could result in long lines and wait times. To mitigate this, you may need to hire multiple food trucks or have the food pre-prepared and served buffet-style.

Another consideration is that food trucks typically don't provide the same level of service as a full-service caterer. They may not provide rentals, staffing, beverage service, or clean-up. You may need to budget extra for these additional services, which could increase your overall costs.

Additionally, it's important to be clear about your expectations and communicate them to your guests. Let them know what type of food will be available and whether they need to bring cash or if you are covering the cost.

Finally, don't forget to discuss the logistics with your venue, such as parking and electricity requirements for the food truck.

Overall, a food truck can be a great way to create a unique and memorable experience for your wedding guests, but careful planning is needed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Frequently asked questions