Weddingbee boards

My significant other and I have chosen an afternoon garden wedding, and although it was not mentioned on the original invitation, as a part of the RSVP process guests have recieved all sorts of information including that the reception will be "cake and punch" The wedding is at 2 the reception is at 3. If you were attending, exactly what would you expect to be at the reception? What does "cake and punch" mean to you?

Ok, I just wanted to ask, because I have been verbally reinforcing this at work by saying--wedding is at 2, reception is at 3 just cake and punch. Today I was asked, "So no chicken salad or anything" And she was shocked when I said, no, there will be a giant blue wedding cake, diet and regular lemonade, petit fours and napkins :P, but it is at 3 so everyone else can go out to dinner and hangout with eachother afterwards. She acted like I was insane.

@slicey 19 Cake and punch is a traditional wedding reception. Especially before our traditions became so commerical. Even in the early 20th century weddings were a community affair and women came together to provide for the event. Only recently has it all become a festival of startched rented linens and even in some countries fake rubber cakes. Jessica Mitford wrote an amazing sociological book on it. And as for large weddings with very structured days some people just don't enjoy them. I have never been to a big shindig wedding that was actually fun. And I have watched quite a few friends still paying on their weddings and simultaneously financing their divorce lawyers.

The truth is that I could have chosen a seated dinner, and it would have been a logistical nightmare. I really didn't want to spend the evening with my extended family or even close friends. I wanted to spend it with my love. It is our day. We are going to have a very intimate family dinner after the reception because I haven't met most of his family. Because our families live across the country, this will probably be the only time they actually meet one another. Beyond that, we both have large "work families"  as well with changing schedules, so cake and punch was the only way to truly accomdate all of them without 20-30 plates unserved.

Anyway, what brought about the post is that people seem absurdly shocked.It is like a complete surprise. I had someone say--"So, no chicken salad, nothing?" The information says--cake and punch, the time screams cake and punch. Nuts, candy, snacking things are all worked into the favors and will be available as parts of centerpieces, but the reception is really best described as cake and punch. No dancing, no dj, but plenty to do. It is in the Botanic Gardens, which are just nice to walk through and be in. There will be a croquet tournamnet and a really differernt interactive guest book, oh and a photo backdrop and assigned photographer. It is going to be a great day, but I am just a little personally shocked at how people think they have a right to say anything about it. It is an invitation. Come or don't, just RSVP.

Yeah, we are going to have sweet and sugar free lemonade and coffee as well. It isn't that we aren't taking care of people, but it just isn't dinner. My brother and new brother in law are both diabetic, so there are some less sweet alternatives in place. It is all outside and there is no way to keep things like chicken salad cold enough to be safe in my own opinion. Basically it means treats and not dinner. I looked into ice cream through Ben and Jerrys, we were all about it, but there are issues with getting their freezer into the pavilion and we only have 2 plugs available.  It looks really nice and I hope it works out for you. I am seriously considering a cotton candy machine too :)