Different Reception Times, Different Reception Styles - Wedding Articles | BridalBook

When considering what time to hold your wedding ceremony, keep in mind that it will also affect your wedding reception. Some reception set-ups and menus work only for certain times of day, so it's best to take note of what elements you'd like in your reception and see where it fits.

Read on for the different reception times and style and see which works best for you.

BREAKFAST RECEPTION

If your dream wedding involves greeting the sunrise as husband and wife then a breakfast wedding might be just the ticket.

Most people have a breakfast wedding to cut costs on food or even the venue but some just do it to make their wedding a touch more memorable.  The pros of having a reception early in the day are: it's usually less expensive than lunch or dinner receptions; your guests have more time to schedule other things later in the day; plus, you can get an early start on the much-awaited honeymoon. Some cons are: there's less time for you and your entourage to prepare, and your (out-of-town) guests might find the early call time a tad inconvenient.

Keep in mind that breakfast receptions should be short and sweet and shouldn't spill over to lunch time, but that doesn't mean serving dishes that won't tide them over until then.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so make sure to serve your guests filling dishes.

Depending on how you approach it, breakfast receptions can be laid-back and quirky or elegantly executed.  For a more up-scale take, try putting a spin on breakfast classics by serving them as hors d' oeuvres  or incorporating some expensive items into a sit-down menu on fine china and silverware like caviar, steak and salmon. If you want a more casual feel, think an assortment of tea, pastries, quiches or even a station where guests can customize crepes, pancakes, and omelets. Placing bread baskets on each table is also a nice idea. Presentation can do wonders for the tone you're trying to set.