Cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception?

mlashley

We are having a destination wedding and when we get back we want to have both of our huge families and all our friends together for a 400+ person cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, keep it really classy high end look at around 7 or 8pm. And what I want to know is if it's going to come off looking like we are just out for gifts if we don't do a full meal? I really want to have everyone involved! Also when do I send out the invites for the reception? And does anyone have any good recommendations for a wedding planner in the Mid-Michigan area, who will plan just the reception?

danieliza1127

You don't have to do a full meal, but for 400 people, you are going to need a LOT of hors d'oeuvres.  I guarantee you it will be more expensive than just serving a full meal.  Here's more info on this type of reception:[url]http://talk.theknot.com/boards/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=62724513&forumid=9[/url]Invitations for reception go out 6-8 weeks before the event.  For recommendations on a wedding planner, post on the local board for that area.

cbeiner

We are doing almost the exact same thing. I think it might depend on your area as far as costs are concerned. We are doing pretty extensive appetizers and desserts for approx. 250 people for $1400. That is going to include 5-6 different types of apps/finger foods and a chocolate fountain. I think that roughly breaks down to $5.50 a person. There is no way I can serve a sit down for that. Now granted, I am from the middle of Iowa so that obviously makes a difference. We debated back and forth on this a lot before we choose to do it this way. We wanted more of a "party" atmosphere where people were able to walk around, eat, mingle, dance, etc as opposed to sitting down for a good part of the night and that is why we choose this route. I think it is a great idea that can be very classy but yet fun for all.

Leah&Christian09

If you are going to start at 7-8, you need to serve enough apps to make a full meal.  If you only want light apps, you need to move it to an off-meal time, like 2-4 pm.  To get enough apps to make a meal, you'll probably spend more than what you'd spend on a meal.  We looked into it, and it would have cost double for us to do it that way.  As long as you make it nice and don't do anything tacky like put registry info in your invitations, people will gather that you want to celebrate with them, not that you are gift-grabbing.  For specifics like the planner, go to your local board.  Any wedding planner should be able to do it.  The reception is 90% of the planning anyway.  Your invitations go out 6-8 weeks before the event.  If you have a wedding website, you can put the info on there earlier and spread the word about your AHR, so that when people get your destination wedding invitation, they'll know about it.