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Elaine
Beginner September 2026 Central & Glasgow

Tea/coffee after the meal?

Elaine, 22 April, 2025 at 22:02 Posted on Etiquette and Advice 0 3

Hi all,

My fiancé and I in the process of sourcing caterers for our wedding, and are struggling with tea and coffee etiquette - what do you think?

We both like drinking tea/coffee, and often feel at weddings that we want our afternoon caffeine fix around 3pm (cocktail hour) rather than after the meal (~6pm) or in the evening (~9pm). Our venue are supplying a self-serve station (hot water urn and nespresso machines) which will be available to our guests all day, from after the ceremony until the end of the night. However, we can't decide whether to also have tea and coffee provided by the caterers after the meal and/or with the evening food?

We know that these will likely be popular times for hot drinks, especially with the older generations, and want to avoid bottlenecks at the coffee station. Equally, we know not everyone will want a hot drink and could save ourselves a chunk of money by removing hot drinks from the meal.

What do you think?

3 replies

Latest activity by Jessica, 28 April, 2025 at 19:39
  • PhotographybyBillHaddon
    Super January 3000 Leicestershire
    PhotographybyBillHaddon ·
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    ["Our venue are supplying a self-serve station (hot water urn and nespresso machines) which will be available to our guests all day, from after the ceremony until the end of the night."]

    Given this I do not think you need the extra from the caterers. I dont see a bottle neck as its there all day and people will want it at different times. I have never quite understood the whole coffee after the meal thing but then again I am not a big tea or coffee drinker after my one and only tipple espresso in the morning

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  • R
    Genius July 2020 Monmouthshire
    RomanticGreenStationery27135 ·
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    If tea and coffee are available all day then I really don't think you need to have it served with the meal - I don't think you'll have a bottleneck as not only will some people not want a hot drink after a meal, those that do are likely to be finishing their meal at slightly different times, so unless all your guests are serious caffeine addicts, there's unlikely to be a rush!

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  • Jessica
    Beginner September 2025 Worcestershire
    Jessica ·
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    If you have a nespresso machine available all day, I think I wouldn't bother with the caters serving coffee, plus it will probably be instant anyway or filter, so not worth the money xx
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