How to Plan a Cake and Punch Reception

Wedding receptions weren’t always the elaborate, evening affairs they are today: For generations, a simple celebration where the couple would receive their guests’ congratulations and good wishes—also known as a cake and punch reception—was the standard. More specifically, couples would plan an informal gathering of drinks and dessert, typically held in the same venue as the ceremony or sometimes at the family’s home.

While this type of gathering is less common today, it has been adopted by some modern-day couples as it offers a host of benefits compared to a dinner reception, including endless options for customization, a lower financial investment, and fewer stressors during the planning process. “A couple who has this type of event, they want to do their own thing that really feels appropriate to them; they’re going to honor what they care about and what’s important to them,” says Jessica Carrillo, event planner and designer at Art and Soul Events.

Here, Carrillo walks us through the etiquette, design, and planning of a modern cake and punch reception. Read on to learn more.

Curate a Suitable Menu

While the menu isn’t usually the first thing you tackle during wedding planning, it does set the tone for a cake and punch reception. But contrary to popular belief, modern couples aren’t limited to just cake and punch for this type of party, says Carrillo. This could mean serving mini quiche and two-bite waffles after a morning wedding, or passing appetizers and setting up a grazing board after your midday “I do’s”. “You can still feed people, but without the expectation of a full meal, and I love that about it—you can be so creative,” the planner says. If you want to stick with a traditional dessert-only menu, however, consider adding fruit and cheese displays or a dessert buffet to accommodate a range of dietary preferences.

Establish an Appropriate Timeline

If you aren’t going to serve a full meal, then plan your ceremony and reception so that they fall between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner, says Carrillo. You should also expect the entire event to take about two to three hours, instead of the typical four to six for a dinner-and-dancing reception. “You’re not having people there for five hours without giving anything to eat,” she says. “This should generally take place in between meals.” 

Send Out an Informative Invitation

One of the most important elements of planning a refreshments-only reception is making sure your guests are aware of the plan—don’t assume that your timing alone will make this clear. “Typically at a wedding, you expect a meal,” says Carrillo. “Any time you’re hosting any event that’s not going to follow the expected protocol, it’s important that you set expectations accordingly.” Specify that your ceremony will be followed by “light refreshments,” “grazing and cocktails,” “cake and punch,” (or whatever else you choose) on your invitation or an enclosed card so your guests don’t show up starving.

Select the Right Venue

In the past, classic cake and punch receptions often took place in the same building where the couple held their ceremony. While Carrillo prefers to host an entire event in a single location, there’s no hard-and-fast rule about this; you can invite your guests back to your parent’s home for refreshments, move from your backyard ceremony to a brewery for drinks and snacks, or host a dessert buffet on the terrace outside your ceremony space. “That’s what’s beautiful about this type of format,” says Carillo. “You can elevate it and it could be really expensive, or it can be pared back and be really fun and special, too.”

Order Bar Service (or Don’t)

The decision to serve—or not to serve—alcohol at a cake and punch reception is one that couples should make based on the amount of food they plan to have. For instance, if you’d like to host a shorter, between-meals reception, a dry event might work better for you. On the other hand, if you want to have a full open bar (and you expect your guests to make the most of it), then Carrillo recommends adjusting your menu accordingly. “For safety reasons, if I’m giving people alcohol, then I want to give them food, too—especially if they are driving,” she says.

Add Personal Touches to Customize Your Day

When you decide to host a reception built around mingling and light refreshments instead of a full meal and an evening of dancing, you open up a variety of other options for customizing your event. Add lawn games or carnival activities to a mid-afternoon reception, bring in a solo musician to provide an understated accompaniment for your first dance, or hire a string quartet for a private performance.

What’s more, skip the assigned seating and allow guests to socialize in chic lounge areas or around hightop tables, says Carrillo, but don’t skimp on the details: Favors, photo booths, signature drinks, monogrammed papers, and other custom elements can all be worked into the design of this type of reception. “It’s really just about knowing your people and creating the event to fit them and your wants and needs,” adds the planner.