Cocktail Reception Only?

alex8358

We are considering more of an informal reception instead of a sit down dinner.  We feel that the constant telling guests to sit and eat instead of dancing is a bit interruptive and not us.  I've never been to a wedding that was only a cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres so I can't imagine it.  I like the idea of it but will people have enough to eat?  I know most people will expect a full three course dinner.  I do want a cake though.  Have any of you done this?  What was it like?  Thank you!

kikirst33

If you want to have just a cocktail reception with light hors d'oeuvres you should plan to have your wedding at an hour that does not indicate that a full meal woudl be served.

Example:

Wedding at 2pm

Cocktail recpetion 3pm

Wedding at 8pm

Cocktail reception at 9pm

If you have a wedding that starts at 4 or 5pm with a reception that follows then it is expected that a full dinner is served.  Hors d'oeuvers are not enough of a meal for any guest.

alex8358

yeah that makes sense

jessicabessica

There are different ways to serve a full dinner, if you want a mealtime wedding without a sit down meal.  You could have food stations that are open for a longer time throughout the reception.  Still give each person a seat where they can sit to eat and leave their stuff, but if the food is available for longer than with a typical buffet, guests can eat as they want to eat.

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-reception-only?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:1753276b-6318-4400-ba47-a1a53e5ead75Post:7fd443e0-44ef-4974-9790-997b575a43f5">Re: Cocktail Reception Only?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you want to have just a cocktail reception with light hors d'oeuvres you should plan to have your wedding at an hour that does not indicate that a full meal woudl be served. Example: Wedding at 2pm Cocktail recpetion 3pm Wedding at 8pm Cocktail reception at 9pm If you have a wedding that starts at 4 or 5pm with a reception that follows then it is expected that a full dinner is served.  <strong>Hors d'oeuvers are not enough of a meal for any guest.</strong>
Posted by kikirst33[/QUOTE]

<div>That is not exactly true.  </div><div>
</div><div>You can have a meal time cocktail reception if you provide heavy hors d'oeuvres.  You will need 15-17 pieces per person.  (That does not mean 17 carrot sticks.)</div><div>
</div><div>I've attended a few cocktail receptions during meal times. They were all fun with LOTS of food.   They are not always cheaper, so keep that in mind.  You need more labor to do apps than a standard plated meal.</div><div>
</div><div>That said, we had people dancing between courses. We had a bunch of ballroom, couple dancing guests.  After dinner the more upbeat music with more of the group dancing started It turned out great.  What I'm trying to say if plated dinners do not have to boring and stuck to your seat if you plan it out well.</div>

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-reception-only?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:1753276b-6318-4400-ba47-a1a53e5ead75Post:7fd443e0-44ef-4974-9790-997b575a43f5">Re: Cocktail Reception Only?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you want to have just a cocktail reception with light hors d'oeuvres you should plan to have your wedding at an hour that does not indicate that a full meal woudl be served. Example: Wedding at 2pm Cocktail recpetion 3pm Wedding at 8pm Cocktail reception at 9pm If you have a wedding that starts at 4 or 5pm with a reception that follows then it is expected that a full dinner is served.  <strong>Hors d'oeuvers are not enough of a meal for any guest</strong>.
Posted by kikirst33[/QUOTE]

This isn't true.  We had heavy hors d'oeurves at our cocktail reception and it was more than enough food complete with skewered steak and skewered chicken, salads in taco shells, mini beef wellingtons and veggies.  We did not want a sit down dinner and wanted to give people the opportunity to walk around with their food talking to others.  We did provide tables with seating for everyone though because we didn't want people planted in a rare chair holding onto it for dear life.

alithebride

cocktail reception is fine as long as you hae enough HDs to constitue a meal and also everyone needs a seat and a table space.

kikirst33

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-reception-only?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:1753276b-6318-4400-ba47-a1a53e5ead75Post:afdfde70-1b40-40d7-99ee-c160ed1e8850">Re: Cocktail Reception Only?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cocktail Reception Only? : This isn't true.  We had heavy hors d'oeurves at our cocktail reception and it was more than enough food complete with skewered steak and skewered chicken, salads in taco shells, mini beef wellingtons and veggies.  We did not want a sit down dinner and wanted to give people the opportunity to walk around with their food talking to others.  We did provide tables with seating for everyone though because we didn't want people planted in a rare chair holding onto it for dear life.
Posted by GoodLuckBear14[/QUOTE]

<div>I've been to weddings that had only hors d'oeuvres and was never satisfied that I had a true meal. While it may be considered enough food to be a meal I did not find it satisfying.  A buffet style appetizers where you can have more substantial munchies might work but it's just my opinon that this option for meals isn't enough.</div>

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-reception-only?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:1753276b-6318-4400-ba47-a1a53e5ead75Post:4f1fbf69-8e3d-4dec-947a-031c6e7b010a">Re: Cocktail Reception Only?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cocktail Reception Only? : I've been to weddings that had only hors d'oeuvres and was never satisfied that I had a true meal. While it may be considered enough food to be a meal I did not find it satisfying.  A buffet style appetizers where you can have more substantial munchies might work but it's just my opinon that this option for meals isn't enough.
Posted by kikirst33[/QUOTE]

I've also been to weddings where the plated meals are skimpy or the buffet was not nearly enough.  So it goes both ways.  I think a lot of has to do with how good your caterer is.

MyNameIsNot

Have you looked into heavy apps and more mingle-type options like stations?  You can offer substantial things like a chef manned pasta station, carving station, quesadilla station, etc with a variety of app foods from light to heavy and have it served for an extended period.  

You could do this with open seating if you want to get away from the formal seated feel.  Some guests will linger near the bar, others will make a plate and sit, and others may dance but go for food a little later.  

Like PP said, you won't save any money doing this over a plated meal, but it's a good way to avoid having to choose an off hour but still get the cocktail reception feel.  

alex8358

Thank you for all the responses!