What to serve?

hyprmandi07

I will be getting married on a Friday night around 7 pm, so our reception won't even start until approximately 8 pm. Because of this, we don't want to serve a full meal, but instead want to play on the idea of having appetizers for the guests to snack on. I really like the idea of having small/mini things for the guests to nibble on, like mini burgers and so on, but I'm struggling to think of an array of things to go for. We're also planning to do a dessert bar instead of a traditional cake with cupcakes, brownies, etc. The theme for the wedding is slightly vintage with a modern twist. I'm looking at goldenrod, teal and gray for the wedding colors. Very simple, elegant and yet understated. Any ideas that might go with this very vague theme? Thanks for any help!

aerinpegadrak

Your food doesn't have to match your "theme," you know.

We went with a caterer who specializes in cocktail receptions.  I gave him a budget, he gave me a menu.  FI is in charge of the food, but he went to the tasting and didn't have any alterations to make.  Unless you're planning on self-catering, this is sort of what you're paying someone for.  (It's usually best not to order off-menu from caterers anyway, it will likely be more expensive and less tasty than their standard stuff.)

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Quiche
Mini-pizza
meatballs - swedish, BBQ, traditional
fried ravioli
egg rolls/spring rolls
cheese display with fruit and vegetable crudite
individual mac and cheese
chips and guacamole/salsa
baked brie
bruschetta
quesadillas
chicken satay
chicken fingers with sauces

salads:
garden
caesar
cold noddle salad
fruit salad
caprese

LisaTyler1984

You have to assume most of your guests will have ate dinner- but I think you can have lots of fun with this! How about the theme of late night snacks?

Put a haute spin on late night diner classics. Think- sliders, sweet potato fries with fancy ketchup, truffled grilled cheese paired with a tomato soup shooter, maybe an omlette bar, milk shake shooters, fancy mac in cheese served in martini glasses, warm cookies... I think it sounds a little vintagey too. 

Good luck!

tenofcups4me

I disagree with the previous poster. With the ceremony at 7 on a Friday, I would assume everyone has NOT eaten dinner before the reception. When would they eat? If they're working fairly standard hours, they're going to come home from work, quickly get changed, and rush out for the ceremony. I'd make sure that whatever food you choose is enough to make up a dinner for most of the guests.

LisaTyler1984

If she makes it clear that it is a cocktail reception, people will eat before. She said she wanted to have a cocktail reception, so whether people eat before or not is not the issue. Sit down dinners are out of style anyway. I say you should go with heavy, creative hors d'oeuvres and fun, passed desserts. 

Just make it clear in the invites that a meal won't be served and you will be all good. If you think about, most trendy restaurants serve tapas style anyway. It's all about small plates and mingling these days, not stodgy sit down meals. 

Tenofcups, have you really been engaged for almost four years or just really like weddings?