Cocktail hour help please

coopsbaby · November 2012

I've just started thinking about what kinds of food I want to serve at cocktail hour. The reception will be pretty casual, dinner and cocktail hour will be outdoors weather permitting. For dinner we're having a hog roast with lots of sides, and we'll have lemonade, soda, tea, beer, wine and alcoholic/non-alcoholic slushies. We're doing antipasto for a late night snack.

I'd like to keep cocktail hour pretty simple so we can just do it ourselves (caterer does the meat ONLY, we're purchasing our sides separately). I went to a wedding once where they had different snack mixes at cocktail hour, and I was thinking about going that direction.

I'm thinking- Puppy chow (muddy buddies)

Ranch oyster crackers

Goldfish crackers

Animal crackers

What else?

Then maybe fruit or something? I was planning on having a veggie tray with dinner, would it be better here instead? If I don't do fruit here, I will serve it with dinner instead. Any thoughts are appreciated!

NOLAbridealmost · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_cocktail-hour-help-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:0551b729-eb8f-4b1d-bdb7-2c297d203868Post:3d92f496-86fb-416d-bb32-a08f07d88739">Cocktail hour help please</a>:
[QUOTE]I've just started thinking about what kinds of food I want to serve at cocktail hour. The reception will be pretty casual, dinner and cocktail hour will be outdoors weather permitting. For dinner we're having a hog roast with lots of sides, and we'll have lemonade, soda, tea, beer, wine and alcoholic/non-alcoholic slushies. We're doing antipasto for a late night snack. I'd like to keep cocktail hour pretty simple so we can just do it ourselves (caterer does the meat ONLY, we're purchasing our sides separately). I went to a wedding once where they had different snack mixes at cocktail hour, and I was thinking about going that direction. I'm thinking- Puppy chow (muddy buddies) Ranch oyster crackers Goldfish crackers Animal crackers What else? Then maybe fruit or something? I was planning on having a veggie tray with dinner, would it be better here instead? If I don't do fruit here, I will serve it with dinner instead. Any thoughts are appreciated!
Posted by coopsbaby[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Let me begin by saying that I think the hog roast, sides, and drinks you have planned sounds AWESOME. I would love that. </div><div>
</div><div>I think cocktail hour needs some help though; four different varieties of essentially crackers/cereal is not particularly appealing. </div><div>
</div><div>I would either skip the puppy chow or make the puppy chow a dessert option or a favor. I just can't imagine eating that before a meal because it's so sweet. </div><div>
</div><div>For the ranch-oyster crackers and goldfish....is there a chance that you could almost DIY a Gardetto's Snack Mix sort of thing with both crackers and some nuts, etc? </div><div>
</div><div>I'd do a crunchy-snacky type of mix, a cheese platter, a veggie platter, and something like spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips and salsa. It's all nice and casual, but likely to reach a wider variety of tastes. </div><div>
</div><div>Good luck!

</div>

coopsbaby · November 2012

That's what I was afraid of Nola! I guess I was trying to cover all my bases or something, but you're right. Thanks for the ideas though, that sounds good and easy. Not sure why I didn't think of Spinach & Artichoke dip, love that stuff!

coopsbaby · November 2012

Oh, and I had the puppy chow because my kids REALLY want it, but I'll move that to the dessert table instead. That'll be a better spot for it anyway!

mabapunta · November 2012

Chex Mix or mixed nuts may cater to the salty side while still being simple and decently cheap. A wedding we attended had those items (plus Skittles and stuff, but I wasn't a fan of that) and just used little scoops, or even small plastic cups, to help dish it out.

If you want something a little nicer, maybe a fruit cup (like a pastry cup with a bit of cream with the fruit) or bruschetta - still light enough so people do not lose their appetite before dinner.

Cocktail hour help please

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