Food for outdoor wedding and timing

Swan2013

We are having our ceremony at 1:30p. I was going to have dinner at 5p but the host didn't want to have a bunch of "drunk people" before dinner.
 
I suggested that we do a cocktail hour in between. He doesn't want to have anything hot or complicated to serve. So we decided to move dinner to 4p. I still think we should have some sort of munch food out for people while waiting.

We expect about 200 people and will be serving chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salad and corn on the cob.

We will be serving cake and have a candy bar.

First, is that enough of a menu? Second, what are some non-perishable, low maintenance finger food ideas? I was thinking nuts, stuffed olives, cornichons, bruschetta, that type of thing. I really want these put out after the ceremony and before dinner.

jessicabessica

What are people supposed to do between the ceremony and dinner?  How long is your ceremony?  Will you have any vegetarians?

AddieCake

Ditto Jessica. You can't expect people to just sit around waiting for a couple hours and not have food and beverages before the reception starts. 

lyndausvi

I would serve the meal directly after the ceremony.     I don't get waiting.    

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:07b4c3d7-fcdf-4a6a-a8bd-464e6ed4555c">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]I would serve the meal directly after the ceremony.     I don't get waiting.    
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

This.

What in the world will everyone do between 2pm and 5pm?

itzMS

Ditto PPs. Serve immediately following your ceremony. A two hour+ cocktail hour is much too long.

That being said, you need some carbs on that menu! Perhaps also add a cheesy potato casserole or something of the sort? Also, some fresh baked dinner rolls aside from the hamburger and hot dog buns.

I would suggest adding some sort of pasta dish as well that could serve as a meal for someone who doesn't eat meat, or would prefer not to. Eggplant parmesan perhaps? Rigatoni with marinara sauce and seasonal veggies? Fettucine Alfredo? All of these could be easily (and inexpensively!) catered in.

Swan2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:f79e19f0-e149-4e15-a9a3-620c28e40c39">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]What are people supposed to do between the ceremony and dinner?  How long is your ceremony?  Will you have any vegetarians?
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]

The party will begin after the ceremony. We aren't leaving. The wedding and reception are at a private home. The drinks will be flowing, which is the concern.

Swan2013

Thanks! also I forgot to add there are no vegetarians. I figured the corn was a starch. We could definitely do a pasta-type side and rolls.

The event is very casual. There is pool and there will be a TON of kids. The bar will be open before the ceremony even begins. We figured 2p was too close to lunch to serve dinner. There is also going to be an accoustic band playing for the afternoon and a DJ for after dinner.

itzMS

I would definitely serve food immediately following the ceremony. That way, you won't have an awkward time period where the kids want to go swimming and their parents tell them they have to wait until after they eat. Sounds like a recipe for a lot of temper tantrums.

Is there ANY way you can move your ceremony to 3:00 or later? It would seem to make a lot more sense.

I know I would be expecting to be fed lunch if I attended a 1:30 ceremony and wouldn't be expecting to hang out for 3 hours before food is served.

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:098a71c0-b185-44b3-b99f-d65ccb5f9eb9">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks! also I forgot to add there are no vegetarians. I figured the corn was a starch. We could definitely do a pasta-type side and rolls. The event is very casual. There is pool and there will be a TON of kids. The bar will be open before the ceremony even begins. We figured 2p was too close to lunch to serve dinner. There is also going to be an accoustic band playing for the afternoon and a DJ for after dinner.
Posted by Swan2013[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I look at it this way. Many people have Sunday dinner early or Thanksgiving dinner at 2 or 3 pm.  While it's not something you do often, people do eat on off times.   IME if there is food, people will eat regardless of the time of day.</div><div>

</div>

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:0b029222-a736-4929-ba19-f6d75bf207fb">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing : I look at it this way. Many people have Sunday dinner early or Thanksgiving dinner at 2 or 3 pm.  While it's not something you do often, people do eat on off times.   IME if there is food, people will eat regardless of the time of day.
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

I agree with this and would serve the meal right away or after a short cocktail hour.  Our wedding ceremony began at 1and lasted about 30 minutes.  We had an hour of cocktails and appetizers, and then went right to the meal (soup, salad, and full buffet).  Especially on a weekend, people may have a heavier breakfast/brunch and be ready for a bigger late lunch.  It feels festive, too, IMO.

ETA: I would add another cooked veggie beside the corn.  Maybe grilled vegetables (peppers, portabella mushrooms, zucchini)?

Swan2013

Based on your feedback, I talked it over with Fi and we are moving dinner to 2p after the ceremony.

I asked him what to do when everyone gets hungry again at 7p and he said "feed them leftovers!" Well ok then!

I'll also add a past dish and roasted veggies to the menu with rolls and butter.

Sooo when should cake cutting be??


In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:fdd20aed-1af0-493c-b9a5-4e3c20720f00">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing : I agree with this and would serve the meal right away or after a short cocktail hour.  Our wedding ceremony began at 1and lasted about 30 minutes.  We had an hour of cocktails and appetizers, and then went right to the meal (soup, salad, and full buffet).  Especially on a weekend, people may have a heavier breakfast/brunch and be ready for a bigger late lunch.  It feels festive, too, IMO. ETA: I would add another cooked veggie beside the corn.  Maybe grilled vegetables (peppers, portabella mushrooms, zucchini)?
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_food-for-outdoor-wedding-and-timing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:d6ef46cb-d3f5-47b0-b6d1-3c6f8cdac0c1Post:4a31e1dd-a1ac-4828-88ee-1d4e508c293b">Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing</a>:
[QUOTE]Based on your feedback, I talked it over with Fi and we are moving dinner to 2p after the ceremony. I asked him what to do when everyone gets hungry again at 7p and he said "feed them leftovers!" Well ok then! I'll also add a past dish and roasted veggies to the menu with rolls and butter. Sooo when should cake cutting be?? In Response to Re: Food for outdoor wedding and timing :
Posted by Swan2013[/QUOTE]

So I am confused.  If you are now serving dinner at 2pm when do you expect your reception to end?  By 7pm people will most likely be ready to leave.  Even having parties at our home after about 6 or so hours of being out people are ready to go home.

If you are planning on having an all day and all night party you need to supply both a hearty late lunch and then a good amount of apps and such that would equal a decent meal at about 7pm.  You can't just serve leftovers. What if there aren't any?  What if there aren't enough to feed everyone who is there again?

For your cake I would just cut it before dinner starts so that way people can have their dessert when they finish their dinner.  Or you could cut it right after dinner as a way to signify that the party is starting.

coolwhipz1

Just a thought: I know you said you aren't having any vegetarians, but have you considered maybe having a veggie option for those that may not eat much meat? I sometimes go for the veggie option even though I am not vegetarian.