Expert Advice from wedding guru, Sharon Naylor

Answer:

Yes, you absolutely can! This etiquette rule has bent,and you no longer HAVE to provide a sit-down dinner just because your reception takes place between 5pm and 8pm. The key, though, is to MAKE SURE GUESTS KNOW in advance that this is a 'Cocktail Party Reception' by the way you word your invitations, such as a bottom line on the invite that says 'Cocktail party fare and dancing to follow immediately after the ceremony' or 'Cocktail party reception to follow.' It's highly, highly offensive to your guests to put 'Dinner and dancing to follow,' and they wind up starving because there's not the cocktail party and meal they were expecting. You also don't want anyone 'taking it easy' at the cocktail party because they expect a big, filling meal.

And be sure to feed your guests well. Provide lots of heavy hors d'eouvres and platters of lighter fare -- on a budget, you can do so much creatively with chicken skewers, mango chutney on little spoons, creative dishes the caterer can work with you to MAKE IT LOOK like you spent more. Variety and unique dishes will be your solution, and make sure the food will be served for enough hours of your party. It's a common oversight when brides and grooms don't ask how long food service is, and the staff is removing trays of food after just an hour. Spell out how long food will be available.