When I was on my mission, my mission president went to a training meeting with President Boyd K. Packer. He taught them that a baptismal service should be simple, brief (about 30 min), and spiritual. He taught them that it should be organized and conducted in such a way that the focus is on the ordinance of baptism. Handbook 2 is consistent with these principles. President Packer explained that after the baptismal service, people should leave the church with the imagery of the baptismal ordinance still fresh on their minds while they ponder the symbolism and significance of this ordinance. While he did not address refreshments specifically, he said they should leave the church right afterwards to have this experience. Prolonging the experience at the church with refreshments and lots of visiting is generally counter-productive to this goal. Inviting family and friends to a home afterwards for food and visiting is a great alternative that still allows us to focus on imagery, symbolism, and significance of the ordinance as we leave the church building. That is what I've been taught, for what it's worth.
