Food & Drinks Etiquette and Advice
Our etiquette experts answer all of your questions.
Q: Can we have a cash bar?
Q: Is cocktail hour essential? We don't want people to fill up on hors d'oeuvres and not eat dinner.
Q: Our evening reception is scheduled for 6:30. Is it OK to have a dessert-only celebration?
Q: Our ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m., and the reception will follow directly at 8:00. Do we have to serve dinner?
Q: Our reception starts at 11 a.m. Is that too early for guests to start drinking?
Q: We want several ethnic cuisines at our cocktail hour. But will the tastes complement each other?
Q: Do we have to feed the photographer, videographer and wedding planner?
Q: Is it tacky to have a keg at the reception? We're supplying the liquor, and bottled beer is more expensive.
Q: Can we serve only cake for dessert, or should we offer other desserts, too? What are some inexpensive options?
Q: We don't drink, but some of our friends and family do. Is it rude not to serve alcohol at our wedding reception?
Q: What do we need to think about when serving children? Should they get a separate menu?
Q: How can I stop my guy's friend from drinking too much?
Q: How should I handle vegetarian guests?
Q: My fiancé and I are vegetarians, and we planned a fantastic meatless feast. My mother, however, thinks that we're being rude hosts by not serving meat to the rest of our guests. What do you think?
Q: Who is supposed to take care of the post-wedding brunch? My parents assumed his parents would pay for it, but they haven't said a word.
Q: Is it okay if we ask our families to serve food and tend bar during the reception? We're trying to keep our costs down.
Q: Do we have to serve a full meal at a 5:00 p.m. reception? I was going to have a long cocktail party, but my mother says we'll look cheap.
Q: Is it more traditional to have a plated dinner than a buffet?
Q: How do I handle guests' food allergies?
