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GApeachOH

We are trying to figure out how to feed guests on a budget, or how to do it at all.
Here's a little info.:
Our ceremony is at 1:00 with the reception to follow directly afterwards. Typically, I would think people would eat some lunch before they came, but I could be wrong.
Our reception also ends at either 4 or 5, that is still being worked out with our venue.
Anyways, we are trying to figure out ideas on how to give people some sort of snack or something to hold them over until they get dinner.
I know hors d'ouerves are an option, but that can get quite expensive. Not to mention, we owe the city 12% tax on any catering we bring in. (It's slightly ridiculous.)
Anyways, I need some ideas of how to feed people and be appropriate but within budget.
I know cake and punch is an option. But, we would like to do a little more than just cake.

031107

It is really hard to give suggestions without knowing your budget.  If you don't feel comfortable telling us a $ amount - give an estimate of what you can spend...like $10-12/person, or $15-18/person or $21-25/person.  That will narrow down the options and suggestions given.

I don't see anything wrong with a cake and punch reception as long as you specifiy that is what guests will receive on the invitation.  That way guests know to eat before they come to your wedding.  You could add other snacks such as cupcakes, candies, cookies (can be made by aunts, grandmas...to keep cost down), pies, pretzels, fruit trays, veggie trays, cheese and cracker trays...  In that case, I would specifiy on the invitations "Cake, Punch and light snacks provided".

If you do not specifiy on the invitation that a dinner is not going to be served guests will assume they are being fed a meal and not eat lunch before your wedding.  As a result they will be really hungry, eat more than allotted (which may cause you to run out of food) and be disappointed they didn't know they should have eaten something before.  I have been to a wedding where this happened.  Some of the guests were so annoyed when they left they took their gift with them (please note, guests were not annoyed that a meal was't served just that they were not told that would be the case and came expecting to be fed).

peanutty2

I've never been to any wedding that did not include a full meal, so no matter the time I would expect a meal.  So if your not doing a meal and doing a hor deuvers reception or just dessert reception or something like that I would make it known (on invite, website, word of mouth, something).  If your doing a meal there's nothing wrong with it being a light meal - especially at that time. Maybe sandwiches, salads, fruits, pretzels and a dessert?  How long is the gap between the ceremony and dinner?  Our ceremony is at 1 then there is a cocktail hour with cheese, fruit, meats, crackers, etc. and then dinner at like 3ish.  You could also at that time do heavy finger foods and snack items (veggies, cheeses, salads, chicken fingers, meatballs, etc.).

GApeachOH

We're skipping cocktail hour. Our area is dry.
We may set out little things for like 30 minutes it will take to get the kissy picture after the ceremony, but the majority of our pictures are being done prior to the ceremony. We're jumping right in.
It's all family, btw. Should have included that.

I think we've decided that we're going to do finger foods and pick up some trays from Sam's Club or Costco.

NOLAbridealmost

Finger foods and trays from Costco would be lovely. There is nothing at all wrong with that.  

jess9802

The afternoon weddings I've attended have had cake and punch, as well as deli trays from Costco: sliced meat, cheeses, dinner rolls, and fresh fruit, plus nuts and mints.

ElisabethJoanne

I've also never been to a wedding reception without a meal, but for a 1pm ceremony, I still don't expect a meal.

Cake, punch, and party trays is a great idea. If your budget allows, you could do sandwich trays, too. Or a bagel spread.