- The primary consideration for what foods to serve will be the time of day the reception takes place. Early morning receptions can serve breakfast foods, while late morning can serve luncheon foods. If the reception is in early afternoon, a dessert reception can be a very inexpensive option, while a reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. can be a cocktail reception. Any reception after 7 p.m. generally is a dinner reception.
- Reception generally has two types: a sit-down or a buffet style. Buffet styles allow guests to serve themselves, while sit-down meals are dinners during which the guests are served pre-determined portions by another party.
- If you want a more formal wedding and reception, you would not serve a buffet. Costs are also a factor. You will spend more on a large, formal sit-down dinner reception than for a brunch or dessert reception.
- Ideas for early-morning brunches include fruit and muffins, while luncheons can include finger foods, casseroles and salad. Cocktail receptions should focus on hors d'oeuvres that can be purchased premade. Dessert receptions can also feature foods purchased premade or ones you make yourself. The dinner reception is the most expensive and the most versatile. The meal should include a main course and side dishes, and might include foods such as spaghetti, steak, fish, chicken or lobster.
- Serving a buffet-style dinner reception allows you to set up dinner stations with different types of food.
