With the wedding being so late in the day we're thinking people will most likely have eaten already, and are debating on only doing a dessert bar as it would save quite a bit in catering expenses.  My thoughts are that I would like some 'dinner' type food available to help counteract all of the drinking, even if it's just bread rolls, crackers&cheese, veggies etc. If I have some foods available do I need to have a full dinner?  Would only having appetizers/finger foods be adequate with the dessert bar? 

Any suggestions?

Why are bakers so weird about this? 

My dad has also offered to bake the cake (he is a professionally trained pastry chef and has access to a commercial kitchen) but I honestly don't want to put the stress on him about the stupid cake. I also am starting to doubt any baker can make a cake as delicious as my dad though. 

Anyway, I was just curious if anyone had insight to why bakers act like I am insulting their mothers when I say I do not want fondant?

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!

So far we've got: Empanadas, Bruchetta, Spring Rolls, Parmesan Puffs, Stuffed Mushrooms, Duck Confit Baguettes, Indian Curry Station, meat skewers with peanut chili, jerk, and Mongolian sauce, Cheeses from around the world with baquettes, Exotic Fruit tray with yogurt sauce, Hummus and Spinach Artichoke Dip with Pita, and an Asian Pasta Station.

I'm planning on getting some international candies to round it out, like turkish delights, havla, and chili candies.  My problem is that I can't think of any foods or candies from Africa that sound appealing.  I also need some more ideas for international candies.

Any ideas?

I'd get two or more per person, but one cupcake is already $4 per person. I've been exploring other cake options (like getting a regular cake, but my venue already has a steep cake cutting charge, which does not apply to cupcakes). I just can't afford to offer more and I haven't found a cheaper bakery yet :( Any advice?

We are planning to serve:

- one type of red and one type of white wine (any suggestions on this?)

- margaritia 

- a mixed wiskey drink (possibly a wiskey sour... my FI and I both drink wiskey straight... what other wiskey mixed drinks are out there lol)

- 3 beers- a corrona light or harp, something a little bit darker (maybe a sam adam or a yuengling), and then a guinness (I know it's darker then most people drink but my family is Irish and I keg of it will be gone by the end of the night). We were thinking about serving Harp, Smithwicks, and Guinness but decided alot of our guest might perfer to have a choice fo more american beers. 

- then we would also have the tequila and wiskey for people. 

- we will also have soda (probably coke, diet coke, and sprite), water, and ice tea

Would you be happy with this at a wedding? Do you have any suggestions? 

Thanks! 

I'm a picky eater - I only eat certain cuts of beef, no poultry, and lots of seafood.   Do you have any ideas for food that seems "American-y" and is suitable for a wedding?  No corn dogs, nachos, or anything like that.   One idea is lamb but I don't eat lamb and that seems very English too.   Help?