By Wade Heninger
Today’s brides are much more about crafting an experience that meets their goals vs. those imposed on them by family and friends. For some brides that brings up a question:
Can you skip a full reception in the evening and still celebrate?
We recently answered that question for a La Fête couple who booked only our Luncheon package (from $1,700) and used a 4 hour window to achieve a wonderful party on their terms.
At a glance
The details of this bride’s vision were as follows:
Package: Luncheon
Price: from $1,700
Event length: 4 hours
Setup and takedown: La Fête's setup and takedown service (paid add-on)
Ceremony: Sealing at the Provo City Center Temple, one block away (about a 5-minute walk)
Guest count: 100
Food: Catered, plated and bussed by the caterer (no cleanup for the couple)
Menu: Full plated lunch with two entrée options for guests, traditional but memorable
Dessert: Small Bundt cakes
Décor: La Fête décor package (optional add-on, one flat fee)
Music: La Fête DJ booth ($350) for background music, speeches and the first dance
Season / year: Spring 2026
After the luncheon: Drive to the airport and an evening flight to Hawaii
The story
For their spring 2026 wedding, the bride knew early that she didn't want a full evening reception. She wanted the day to stay focused on the sealing and on the people who were there for it. So instead of a big night event, the couple booked our Luncheon package.
They booked our setup and takedown service, so they never had to set a single table. After the sealing, the couple and their guests walked over from the temple into a finished room: tables styled with our décor package, candles already lit and music playing from the DJ booth. The caterer served a full plated lunch, with two entrée options for guests, traditional but memorable, and small Bundt cakes for dessert. The caterer also bussed the tables, so the couple had no cleanup. Nobody rushed. Guests ate, talked and caught up with the couple. A few family members gave speeches. The couple did a cake cutting and shared a first dance, the traditional moments that mattered to them. Then they said goodbye, drove to the airport and caught a flight to Hawaii that night to start the honeymoon.
Honestly, we were a little nervous about fitting it all into four hours. But they were planners, and it came off organized, unhurried and exactly what they wanted.
We even hosted another wedding that evening, and both went beautifully.
Simple. Their way. With some tradition kept in.
Sample timeline
This is a sample timeline for a 4-hour sealing luncheon, not the couple's exact schedule.
Before guests arrive: Our setup and takedown team gets the room ready.
Hour 1: Couple and guests arrive from the temple to a decorated room, candles lit and music playing. Photos on the temple grounds or at La Fête. Guests find their seats.
Hour 2: The caterer serves a full plated lunch, with guests choosing between two entrées. The couple mingles table to table without a receiving line.
Hour 3: A few short speeches, the cake cutting and the first dance, then small Bundt cakes for dessert.
Hour 4: Dessert, last visits and goodbyes. The couple heads out for the airport.
After guests leave: Our setup and takedown team takes down the room.
Why it worked
Short walk, no shuttle. The Provo City Center Temple is one block away, so guests moved from the sealing to the luncheon in about 5 minutes.
Simpler and unhurried. Even with 100 guests, a midday luncheon with no evening program gave the couple time to visit every table.
They walked into a finished room. Our setup and takedown service meant the décor was in place, the candles were lit and the music was on before they arrived. Nobody in the family spent the morning setting up.
Planning made it work. The couple came in with a clear plan, so four hours was enough. Tip: map out your timeline ahead of time, including speeches, the cake cutting, the first dance and when you need to leave, and share it with your caterer and DJ before the day.
Tradition where it counted. Speeches, a cake cutting and a first dance gave the day its milestones without a full program.
One clear end time. Four hours left room for an evening flight, so the honeymoon started the same day.
No cleanup, no décor runs. The caterer plated and bussed the lunch, and our décor package covered the tables for one flat fee, with no charge per piece. The couple skipped the craft-store runs and had nothing to store afterward.
Music that carried the moments. The DJ booth ($350) handled background music, the speeches and the first dance.
A lower starting price. The Luncheon package starts at $1,700, compared with $2,300 for a weekday reception and $2,990 for a Friday or Saturday reception (see pricing).
Who this format suits
Couples who want the day centered on the sealing, not a long evening event
Families with mostly close relatives and friends
Couples leaving on a honeymoon the same day or evening
Couples who'd rather put budget toward the honeymoon or a first home
Anyone who wants a few traditional moments without a full reception schedule
Planning a sealing day? Read our Provo City Center Temple sealing guide.
FAQ
Can we skip a reception and just do a luncheon?
Yes. Many couples hold a luncheon after their sealing instead of an evening reception. Our Luncheon package starts at $1,700.
How long is a wedding luncheon?
Most run about 3 to 4 hours. The event in this story ran 4 hours, including speeches, a cake cutting and a first dance.
How far is La Fête from the Provo City Center Temple?
One block, about a 5-minute walk.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Yes. We have an open vendor policy, so you can bring the caterer you love. Food trucks are welcome too and park right out front.
Does a midday luncheon leave the evening free?
Yes. A luncheon wraps up in the afternoon, so your evening is open for travel, a honeymoon flight or a quiet night with family. This couple flew to Hawaii that night.
Can we still do a cake cutting and first dance at a luncheon?
Yes. You choose which traditions to keep.
Ready to Tour?
We hope this helps you in your wedding planning journey—imagine what we could create together. At La Fête, we pair years of experience with a beautiful setting and genuinely personal service, so you can focus on what matters: celebrating with the people you love.
Picture your day here—book a personal tour with us!
À bientôt!
