OP, be sure to eat dinner first.

The Wedding PowerBar, wrapped in perfect off-white. It's coming!

The timing seems off, but at least they told you upfront.

Eat before the ceremony and enjoy the event. It is about them starting their life together, not how fancy a party they can throw while going into debt.

Distributing power bars! Hahahahaha

I saw this on Four Weddings. The other 3 bride guests ordered pizza because they needed 'real' food. I wouldn't consider it a big deal. Just make sure to eat a good meal before going.

Sounds like you will be stopping for dinner in your wedding finery before the reception or else hitting McDonald's afterwards.
They just sound cheap.
I think that this type of reception is perfectly fine, IF it's at the right time. Dinnertime is not the right time to hold a dessert reception. If it was an 8 pm ceremony, I think it would be a lovely idea.

I really wish people would be sensible and schedule "economy" weddings NOT at lunch or dinner time. Same with birthday parties, for that matter. if you're not going to actually feed your guests, don't put your occasion smack in the middle of mealtime. if you're really broke, have a private wedding or invite just a few people. otherwise it just feels like a gift grab to me.

i'm from the midwest. I've always gotten a meal at weddings there, though often it's a simple one, like an outdoor BBQ.

I've seen this done at ceremonies where the bride and groom are very religious.

Just put a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in your purse that you can eat after the ceremony and before the reception.

I've seen some of these arrangements on both coasts.

So, the assumption is that guests dine on their own before the ceremony.

Or perhaps they distribute powerbars during the ceremony?

No, it is an economy thing.

People are trying to find creative and fun ways to celebrate with their loved ones without going broke, going in debt or taking all their parents' money.

From the midwest -- never heard of it. I have been to many where there is a quick dessert reception after the service in the church basement/hall then a reception later in the evening. But never an entire reception that is just dessert. Weird.

I wouldn't call it midwestern - more like cheap. Count on a cash bar, if any.

I'll be flying out for a wedding in the midwest in a couple months. I just received the invitation: ceremony is at 6:30pm followed by a "dessert reception" and dancing. Is this a midwest thing?