Unreasonable Request???

DSDFYI

Hi everyone.   I needed opinions.... We have decided on stations for our cocktail reception.  We have chosen sushi, pasta, and veggie and want a station opened in the last 1.5 hours with items like mini cheeseburgers, pizza, hot dogs.  The budget is 55.00 per person, and my caterer is telling me I have to lose either the late night or the sushi.    I am in a quandry, because I love them both... any suggestions???

anitragordy

If I have to lose one it would be the sushi, but only because I don't care for it, lol. Think about your guests. Which would they prefer? You don't want to pay for a sushi station that only you are eating at. Plus, I would think sushi might be a bit expensive, can the caterer give you another alternative so that your guests would have more options? Maybe a second choice that you also love?

You and your hubby can do sushi on the honeymoon.

littleluckypenny

I agree with PP in knowing your crowd about the sushi.  FI and I absolutely LOVE it, but no one in his family would go near the stuff.  You may have more people wanting the burgers, pizza and dogs.

JordynLeighx3

Late night snack is the way to go. It's will keep your guests their longer and more people enjoy the late night options vs. sushi. Plus, it will help keep people from becoming too intoxicated if they have food available to them.

stephanie123456

Your late night snacks sound yummy!!

I also agree that sushi might not be a crowd pleaser as much as the veggie, pasta, and late night options (I don't like sushi either ).

jessicabessica

I like sushi and it was popular in our cocktail hour, but I think that you're making your money go further with the late night snack.  Can your caterer sub a less expensive station for the sushi, so you still have as many stations plus the late night snack?

lyndausvi

I love sushi, had it had my own wedding.

If I had to pick between the 2 I would pick the late night snack.    It's more of a crowd pleaser and should be cheaper.  I find banquet sushi is not always the best either.  Mine was (of course - lol), but in generally I find it's not as good.

NOLAbridealmost

Skip the sushi if you must pick.  It's less popular as PPs have pointed out and (call me paranoid) I love sushi but would be really reluctant to try it in a large party/catering situation.

But on that note, that only leaves you with three stations total. That seems really, really small. What time of day is your reception? What sort of options does each station have?  We did a station style reception and had about 12 stations for 80 guests. 

DSDFYI

Hi everyone and thanks so much for the responses.   The reception is at 7 and we are making it a cocktail style reception for 3.5 hours.  We don't want a sit down dinner, so we are limiting the stations and having passed hor d'vors.  I will ask the caterer about possibly having some sushi options for the passed appetizers, see if that is workable.

DSDFYI

HI again,

I am waiting to hear back from the caterer.   I am concerned that the concensus is that a full meal should be provided whether in station form or sit down.  We specifically chose a cocktail reception because both of us have gone to several weddings the sit down meal is the worst part (for us).  We love the aspect of mingling and music but realize food must me provided.  The invitation will read "Cocktail Reception To Follow".    The venue has to be turned over by 12 so the reception has to be over by 11.   We are going to have approx 4-6 passed appetizers  and four stations, plus an open bar for four hours with a cocktail lounge set up.  How much more food would everyone suggest????

NOLAbridealmost

I also hate sit-down weddings and wanted a cocktail/station reception. But at dinner time, you MUST provide enough options so that guests are basically getting a full meal even if it isn't in traditional form.

Again, we had about 12 stations (pasta, carving, salad, cheese, scallop, gumbo, etc.) and it was plenty of food. You likely will need at least 6 stations and hopefully of very filling items. Any less and you need to move the wedding to a non-meal time. 

DSDFYI

Hi everyone,

I met with my planner and the caterer and voiced my concerns.  As it stands we have 5 butler style passed appetizers for the first hour  (7-8), then the pasta station will give the guests four different styles of pasta, (lasagna, white, ried and vegi).  She also contracted with a sushi restaurant for 300 pieces of sushi (about 50% each sushi).  Homemade bread and dipping oils will also be availabe (8-10).  After 10 another station will be opened for burgers, fries, pizza and hot dogs.   My planner and the caterer have assured me that this is enough food, any opinions or suggestions???