anyone been to a heavy appetizer only reception before?

5heather

I am thinking about having a heavy appetizer and cocktail reception, but have never been to one before. How does it typically work? Does the food stay out the whole 4 hours? do you set up tables with assigned seating or do the guests just mingle and sit wherever? Do guests like this type of reception or do they expect dinner? so many questions- please help! Thank you!!!

DRemA3

This is what we did for our AHR. Our guests loved it! We included on the reception card that it was hor d ourves & cocktails, so that people were aware it wasn't a full dinner. We had all of the hor d ourves hand passed, except the fruit and cheese, those were stationed. Our reception was 5 1/2 hours long, the food was passed for 3 1/2 of those hours. Then we had the cake served! We did not have a seat for everyone, we had rounds of 10, and cocktail rounds of 4, plus a lounge area with over sized couches and lounge chairs. Our seats were never full b/c people were chatting with different people, since they didn't have to sit still to eat! We have received multiple compliments from having our reception set up this way. However, we spent more per person than if we would have served a full dinner. So be careful, b/c the costs can add up quickly when you are pricing everything per piece instead of per plate.

jroflow

We are doing heavy appetizers because we love appetizer foods; so excited about this!!! We are simultaneously trying to make it meal-like so we added a sandwhich making station and carving stations to the appetizers. Turns out, it's more food than a meal would actually provide. As the previous post stated we are spending the same as a meal would cost, if not more, doing it this way (so if that is your reason for doing the apps. be careful).On the suggestion of the people in charge at my reception location, it will be layed out buffet style. As for seating, we decided to have assigned tables. I would suggest talking to the person in charge at your reception location. They should be able to help you with this because they have probably dealt with a reception like this before!HTH! 

SusanK76

Yep we did this too. Everyone loved it. We had the food set up buffet style, but had the caterer hold back some for the wedding party. Then after the ceremony we let everyone in to the reception while we finished pictures. (no assigned seats, just a few tables set aside for the wedding party) When we came into the reception we cut the cake and moved things right along. We did leave the food out for all 4 hours. One thing we did do was to put 'dessert reception to follow' on the invites so people would not expect dinner but many commented that it was a nice surprise. We definitely spent less doing a appetizer reception rather than a full dinner but it might not be that way for every caterer. Ours was really willing to work with us and give us just what we needed.

megzies7777

This is a great idea, but I have one caution. My future sis-in-law did this, and she said she was disappointed with it. She wanted a more casual reception feel, that went straight to the party without a lag for dinner. However, what ended up happening is that people ate for over 2 hours. Just know that people will end up grazing from a long time, and this will lengthen the eating time and cut back on dancing time. You just need to decide what is more important to you. The food was delicious though!