Proper Time for Cake & Punch Reception?

Hello Polite One,

I am getting married on in two months. Our wedding is small, so will not host a full reception...only cake, punch, and finger foods such as cheese and fruit. How should I word my invitation? Should it say Cake and Punch reception to follow?

Also, what is the proper time to have the wedding if we are not serving a meal? The wedding site is in the mountains, and it will take most people an hour to drive to the wedding site. Is 1:00 p.m. too early? Would 2:00 be a better time? I do not want to be rude to guests who may be expecting a meal.

Please let me know the proper etiquette for this.

Thank you,

Brenda

Dear Brenda,

Congrats!

Thank you for considering your guests’ comfort. 2 pm would work best. And, you don’t have to list the refreshments on the invitation. Guests should know. But, if this is an informal wedding, the “rules” are much more relaxed. So, you could use informal language, including that a cake and punch reception will follow.

Most sincerely,

The Polite One

Read Brenda's Follow-Up Question

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