*Miss_Autumn* asked:
First off, where are you located?
First off, where are you located?
Which of the following are common where you live:
Cocktail hours or not?
Kids at weddings or not?
Full meal reception (whether plated/buffet or heavy appetizers that are the equivalent of a full meal) or just cake and punch?
Any other “regional” custom/trend in your area?
Tags: Appetizers | Cocktail Hours | Weddings
June 24th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I live in Southern NJ. Most commonly, we have cocktail hour, followed by a four or five course sit-down meal. Buffets are done maybe 10% to 20% of the time, not that common. There are kids at about half of the weddings, depending on family size. Other than that I don;t think there is anything very regionally specific.
Good luck!
June 27th, 2010 at 5:31 am
pennsylvania
cocktail hour yes prolly 8
kids at wedding yes
full meal reception yes
no
June 30th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I think it has more to do with your culture, family traditions ETC rather than the city you live in. Some cities are very diverse and everyone does things differently.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Where I live now . . .
heavy appetizers that are the equivalent of a full meal
Where I used to live . . .
cake and punch
Where I live now . . .
Don’t see many kids at weddings, even if the children are invited. I think most folks here prefer to find a sitter and enjoy an adults only event.
Where I used to live . . .
It was the norm to see young children at weddings.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I’m from the Michigan (thumb area) and I’ve been to many weddings from causal to ultra formal.
I’ve only seen cocktail hours at formal weddings
Kids are common no matter what type of wedding
Buffet is common at any type of wedding
The bouqet/garter toss is very common
DJ’s are more common than bands
Dollar Dances are rarley done (i’ve only seen two weddings do it. One was when i was 11, and one was when I was 18).
July 3rd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
NH/VT
Cocktail hours are common, not always an hour though, just until the pictures are done, usually less than an hour.
Kids are always at the weddings I have been to.
Full meal reception, never been to a wedding without a meal
Dollar dances (I know you **** them!) are also common.
DJ’s, I have never seen a band at a wedding.
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I live in NY and typically there is a cocktail hour with drinks and appetizers and a full receiption with sit down meal and not often kids but sometimes.
But everyone is different and should do as they want, one girl couldn’t afford full open bar but had it at an elks lodge where pitchers of beer were included and then cash bar. One couple had no cocktail hour and a buffett.
I would say do what you are comfortable with but do manage peoples expectations, for example we went to a wedding in Virginia that was just punch and snacks, this is fine but we didn’t expect it and in NY the food is everywhere so we saved our appetite and then were starving!! We were once invited to a wedding with a cash bar but had little cash on us as we didn’t know. At the buffett we didn’t know it was the only food, thought it was the cocktail hour and again chose to not eat too much to save room for dinner! and so missed a lot of the dinner. It does not have to be fancy but be clear to people, we had a great wedding with sit down dinner and all but most people just remember the fun, we danced all night!
July 4th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Haven’t been to a tonne of weddings in my area but we do have a neat tradition called a stag and do in Southwestern ON. For young couples short on cash it’s a nice way for people to chip in and help them afford the wedding (slightly tacky I know - but the thought is nice. I’m not doing one as my fiance and I make okay money and want a simple wedding anyway)
July 6th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I’m in Western Canada.
Yes, cocktail hour (no appies) before the dinner.
Vast majority of dinners are buffet - ranging from classic to totally elegant. Have gone to one which was plated and one which was family-style - didn’t like either style, though the food was good at each. Of course, full open bar.
No one would even ‘think’ of having just heavy appetizers or cake/punch.
Of course, kids at the wedding - all ages at both ceremony, dinner and dance.
July 9th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Northern NJ (just outside NYC).
Cocktail hour — absolutely! Even at dry weddings (only 2 I’ve ever attended) had “cocktail” hour with hors d’ourves and beverages (soda/juice/water) for an hour before the meal/reception started so the guests were occupied while the bride & groom were taking pictures.
Kids are a 50-50 thing, depending upon the family member getting married. When I was younger my parents were invited without my sis & I to weddings and it was never a big deal (like so many parents make it out to be these days).
Full meal - ALWAYS a dinner and never appetizers to equal a meal. In my family sit-down vs buffet has been about a 50-50 thing.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I’m in Chicago.
1. Cocktail hours are standard.
2. Sometimes kids, sometimes not. Usually not at formal receptions with per-plate prices going at $75 and up. It’s not uncommon to have kids at the ceremony and through dinner, but then the babysitter picks them up before the drinking and dancing.
3. Full meal receptions are by far the standard. I have been to brunch and luncheon receptions, and they served full, elaborate meals, too. I’ve been to somewhere between 35 and 40 weddings in my life, and only one was a cake and coffee reception, all the others served a full meal.
4. Open bar, even if limited to wine and beer, is standard. A cash bar would be horrifying.
5. It’s common to give money as the wedding gift and an item off the registry for the shower gift.