reception dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

'reception dinner' is an acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It usually refers to a celebratory dinner after a wedding ceremony or other event. For example: The newlyweds were all smiles as they thanked their guests for attending their reception dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The $150 reception, dinner and auction will begin at 6 30 P.M.

The New York Times

New Year's Day sees a champagne brunch, another reception, dinner followed and live show.

The Guardian

The black-tie evening begins at 6 with a cocktail reception; dinner at 7 and dancing.

The New York Times

They read from an appropriately antique-book-styled ketubah, a traditional Jewish marriage contract, and their reception dinner centerpieces were concocted from classic books.

The New York Times

Our community of artist friends volunteered to work as the D.J., to photograph, to cater our reception dinner, even to make our rings.

The New York Times

You or your fiancé should call the cousins to clarify, so you can give your caterer the final head count for your reception dinner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Nobody else (including the newlyweds) ever knew that those reception dinners were actually secret dance rehearsals for my own wedding.

Huffington Post

Deutsche Telekom AG.

TechCrunch

Where and how you worshipped mattered, too, and there was, above all, a constant round of teas, receptions, dinners, parties, balls and cotillions.

The Economist

They held receptions, dinners and balls at their home on what is now Jackson Place on the west side of Lafayette Square.

The Washington Post

The packages include seating at a $1,000-per-seat private reception and dinner on Sunday, access to a private after party, VIP seating at Monday's inauguration dinner reception and name recognition in the official program.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning an event, clearly specify "reception dinner" on invitations if it follows a separate reception to avoid confusion about meal arrangements.

Common error

Avoid using "reception dinner" in very informal contexts; opt for simpler terms like "dinner" or "meal" unless you want to emphasize the formal setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reception dinner" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a specific type of meal event. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing wedding celebrations and fundraising events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reception dinner" is a noun phrase referring to a formal dinner following a reception, commonly associated with weddings, galas, and fundraising events. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its formal connotation and the event genuinely includes both a reception and a dinner. For more informal settings, consider alternatives such as "dinner" or "meal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wedding reception dinner

Specifically refers to a dinner held at a wedding reception.

dinner reception

Reverses the order of words but maintains the same core concept.

celebratory dinner

Emphasizes the celebratory aspect of the dinner.

post-reception meal

Highlights the dinner's position after the reception.

post-ceremony dinner

Focuses on the dinner's position following a ceremony.

gala dinner

Implies a more formal and grand dinner event.

wedding breakfast

While technically refers to the morning meal, in some contexts can be used similarly for a formal wedding meal.

formal banquet

Highlights the formal and large-scale aspect of the meal.

celebration feast

More informal term emphasizing the abundance of food.

wedding supper

A more archaic term for the evening meal at a wedding.

FAQs

What is a "reception dinner"?

A "reception dinner" refers to a formal meal that typically follows a reception, often associated with events like weddings or galas. It's a structured dining experience as part of a larger celebration.

When should I use the term "reception dinner"?

Use "reception dinner" when you want to specifically indicate that the dinner is part of a formal event that includes a preceding reception. It's suitable for invitations, event descriptions, and formal announcements.

Are there alternatives to "reception dinner"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "celebratory dinner", "gala dinner", or "wedding reception dinner" to specify the type of event.

Is "dinner reception" the same as "reception dinner"?

While similar, "dinner reception" and "reception dinner" can imply slightly different things. "Reception dinner" suggests the dinner is the main event following a shorter reception. "Dinner reception" might suggest the dinner itself is the primary style of reception.