Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP

jenluedtke

I am planning our wedding on a budget: like many brides these days. My fiance and decided that we are going to have our ceremony on the beach around sunset for two reasons. 1. it will be BEAUTIFUL!!! and 2. to save money on reception food since it will be later than dinner!! SMART, right? So anyways... I am trying to get an idea of what kind of appetizers and desserts to have at the reception. How many different kinds as well as quanity! I need advice! 

ps... we are not planning to use a caterer to help cut costs as well... so i would be making everything with the help of family and friends... 

MyNameIsNot

What you serve really depends on the time.  Sunset is usually right around dinner time, but it depends on the time of year.

If you are doing late (after 9:00) you could get away with assorted desserts, some veggie trays, cheese and meat spread, and some assorted chips/crackers and dips.  

If you are doing late dinner (8:00-8:30 start) you need to go more substantial than that.  I'm thinking meat satays, stuffed mushrooms, chicken fingers, egg rolls, sliders, etc.  Of course, these are things that would involve some sort of catering.  

Lizzieyounce

Sunset is usually around dinner hour...either do it earlier at a non meal time and host a light apps and dessert reception or do it later, after dinner hour.

Annas2013

Um.  I'll go ahead and warn you.  You're probably going to get some flaming posts on this for a few reasons.  The first is that unless people offer to make food for you, it's kind of rude to ask.  If they offer?  Awesome and I'm slightly jealous.  But if not, then I think they might rather enjoy the wedding rather than having to deal with the food.  The second is that you have to make sure it's after dinner and state on the invitation it's not going to be a full meal.  But how much depends on how many people you plan on inviting and what kind of desserts and appetizers you want to use.

LeiselEB

Even if you guys are making the food yourselves, I'd look into renting chaffing dishes or other serving type stuff to keep things at the right temperature. You don't want to just set out a bunch of food on mismatched trays with saran wrap over them, ya know?

I liked MyNameIsNot's suggestions for foods.

goobersinlove

Do consider that your family and friends might want to relax enjoy your wedding rather than preparing, cleaning, replenishing and worrying about food beginning from the days before and lasting all the way through the end of your wedding day.  Please reconsider this - catering can be done cheaply and then EVERYONE gets to enjoy the wedding without having a "job" to do.

SB1512

depending on the time of year, sunset is not always at dinner hour.........in the summer months the sun doesn't set until close to 9pm, so you can def get away with a sunset wedding followed by apps and desserts.  but agree with PPs, make sure those making the food are volunteering for the job and not being asked by you to contribute.

jenluedtke

i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not...

anyone want to offer me REAL advice?

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:70b6e712-70f9-4cb7-96da-907f09cb8fc8">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not... anyone want to offer me REAL advice?
Posted by jenluedtke[/QUOTE]

<div>Not anymore.  You did get some suggestions for what kind of food to serve.  Depending on what time your wedding is, you might need to have enough apps to fill people up for a meal, so that matters.  And this is an open board--you post something, it is fair game for criticism or advice.  </div>

LeiselEB

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:70b6e712-70f9-4cb7-96da-907f09cb8fc8">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not... anyone want to offer me REAL advice?
Posted by jenluedtke[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Well, you didn't say that people volunteered, so we were just double checking. You also didn't say that you were renting serving dishes, etc. so that was meant to be advice from me - I wasn't implying that you were tacky, just offering advice based on what information you gave us. </div><div>
</div><div>And you already got some good advice on what food to serve. Pick whatever you like as long as there is some variety and that the food is substantial enough to be considered a meal if your reception falls during a meal time. 

</div>

Annas2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:70b6e712-70f9-4cb7-96da-907f09cb8fc8">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not... anyone want to offer me REAL advice?
Posted by jenluedtke[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>No one called you tacky.  No one said budget weddings were tacky.  They gave you their honest opinion, especially regarding having people help.  That <strong>you </strong>asked for.  We were just trying to help you and you did receive advice on the food options.  If you don't want honest opinions, then don't ask questions.

</div>

librababy

I liked the pp's suggestions on food. They sound delicious and are pretty simple dishes you can prepare yourself.

I am a budget bride as well and the catering prices are killing me. If I want to stay in budget, I could diy the food but that would mean so much stress for me. Plus hiring FI's aunt is a really great option since she is the family caterer for events BUT I heard she is kind of tired of being asked to cater events. So I am stuck.

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:70b6e712-70f9-4cb7-96da-907f09cb8fc8">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not... anyone want to offer me REAL advice?
Posted by jenluedtke[/QUOTE]

<div>You got plenty of REAL advice.  Here's a little more:  When someone tells you something you don't want to hear, don't stamp your feet and start screaming.  You are a grown woman getting married.  It's time to act like it.  </div>

alithebride

so what time will this sunset wedding be?
it's fine if you want to serve apps and dessert but if it's at or near or during meal time you need to (without question) serve enough real food (not dessert) to constitute a meal. if not people will leave early because they're hungry.
as long as people volunteered that's fine-but how will everything keep? who is going to be sure that the foods are stored at the correct temps? who will serve? who will clean up?
no one's saying a budget wedding is tacky-we all have budgets-but you wrote some things that have been raised on here before that others didn't think of. no one was telling you bad advice-dont be defensive-we're trying to help you plan a nice weddign with great food where no guest will leave hungry or get sick after from food stored improperly.

Knottie1443721062

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:70b6e712-70f9-4cb7-96da-907f09cb8fc8">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]i have plenty of people that would VOLUNTEER to help... awesome soon-to-be in laws who have already offered to help as a matter of fact... we are planning to rent stuff to put the food in because believe it or not i don't want my wedding to be tacky, budget friendly doesn't mean tacky and whoever thinks otherwise can shove it... this post was about how much do i need and how much variety to offer.... not about if i should do it or not... anyone want to offer me REAL advice?
Posted by jenluedtke[/QUOTE]

If you have been reading posts on this site then I can see why you say that. Many people on here like to give their opinion on what you should and shouldn't do, even though thats not what your asking. As far as food goes, I wouldn't get TOO much if you plan on putting on the invite that it will be just deserts/apps because people will eat before they come. So, maybe a variety of cheescakes, cupcakes, or pies? Appetizers could be a meat/cheese tray and a fruit/veggie tray, those are usually safe bets. If you want some fancier ones then you could always check out pinterest, they seem to have awesome recipes for appetizers and deserts. Cake balls are always a hit too and are easy to make! Hope that helps :)

jenluedtke

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dessert-and-appetizer-reception-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:84982f8f-6f2e-48f4-b338-79e1f89d49f0Post:06fa7f99-7f87-4e11-982e-524e96105c40">Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dessert and Appetizer Reception- HELP : If you have been reading posts on this site then I can see why you say that. Many people on here like to give their opinion on what you should and shouldn't do, even though thats not what your asking. As far as food goes, I wouldn't get TOO much if you plan on putting on the invite that it will be just deserts/apps because people will eat before they come. So, maybe a variety of cheescakes, cupcakes, or pies? Appetizers could be a meat/cheese tray and a fruit/veggie tray, those are usually safe bets. If you want some fancier ones then you could always check out pinterest, they seem to have awesome recipes for appetizers and deserts. Cake balls are always a hit too and are easy to make! Hope that helps :)
Posted by AmberZ13[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>THANK YOU AMBER!!! that is EXACTLY why i got defensive!! i was reading a bunch of other threads before i even read my replies and was pretty disgusted with the way people "help" one another! </div><div>
</div><div>i have started looking on pintrest and found tons if ideas for more "filling" appetizers that are easy to make! i like your suggestion for the cheesecakes!! maybe mini ones in cupcake liners? and i didn't even think of cake balls!! i've make them before and they are AWESOME! 

</div>

jenluedtke

oh and thanks to everyone for their input!! it IS all appreciated! 

sorry if i came off as being a b****

bad day.... i think we can all relate! 

happy wedding planning to all