Reception Food

rdavidson827

Okay ladies,

I saw the earlier post with a gazillion replies on the OP asking about reception food aka appetizers / meal for her reception.

So that brings me to MY question as it really got me thinking.  Our wedding was originally at 7 pm so we were doing heavy hourdourves. With that said, we decided to change it to 5 pm and I did not even think about making it a meal until I saw the other post.  Now while I have absolutely NO problem switching up to a meal if needed, I wanted to list what I have for heavy hourdourves and get some feedback on IF that could be enough and filling enough.  IF NOT, then I need to think up what I want to do for something in terms of a possibly buffet.

Classic Veggie Platters
Market Fruit Platters (Market is name of place doing it)
TEX MEX Fiesta Platter (Several Mexican Dips)
Custom Dip Platter (3 different dips and spreads)
Meatballs
Stuffed Mushrooms
Traditional Cheese Platter

Now there is an abundance amount of all of the above.  I am thinking of also adding some Chicken Skewers too to go with it.

Like I said, This was the original plan and I have no problem with switching up to some kind of buffet but I don't know if there's enough fillers for a 4 hours reception so I wnated to list it and ask.  And of course there's cake, and a candy bar.  But I'm not counting that as something to fill the guests up.  Plus there will be beer and wine, and other drinks (not alcohol).

Thanks for your help

KellyBrian2013

Honestly, if I were a guest I might eat some of the Mexican dips and meatballs, but aside from that probably not. I know heavy apps is considered acceptable etiquette but it personally don't like receptions like that because I rarely get enough to eat. Yes, I realize that's my punishment as a picky eater, but it still irks me. At least with a plated meal or buffet I'm likely to get a decent portion of one or two things I do really like instead of only a bite or two.

KellyBrian2013

Oh, and the only things I would consider "heavy apps" from your list are the mushrooms and meatballs. The rest likely won't fill too many people.

Cortney1982

I'm a slender person and would not be satisfied to consider that a meal (I do not like mushrooms) What do you have for all those dips and spreads?  I don't see anything but veggies to dip into?  Do you have sliced artisan breads maybe?  Even with Chicken Skewers it's really iffy to consider a meal for a big eater.

professorscience

Are you getting this stuff from Central Market?  Or a catering company called Market?

Either way I think it would be wise to try to work out something a little more substantial.  For your own sake as much as for anyone else's.  You're going to be running on a lot of emotions that day and you'll need sustenance (as will your guests, of course).  I'm certain Central Market could work something else out.

LDubHawksFan

I vote to look into a meal.  I don't like mushrooms so I would have to eat a bunch of cheese, crackers and meatballs to fill up, which is unlikely. 

lyndausvi

I would add an action station if you want to do an app only menu during a meal time.  

If you can't do an action station add 2-3 more heavier apps.

 

examples of action stations:

Pasta

sliders 

stir-fry

tacos

Are you having bread?  Mini-ball sandwiches can be filling.  You can do roast beef or pulled-pork also.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-food-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0d104063-8fd6-4acd-91e5-36278e88932cPost:1af67e98-7dad-4a6f-9248-e10c6293b772">Re:Reception Food</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, and the only things I would consider "heavy apps" from your list are the mushrooms and meatballs. The rest likely won't fill too many people.
Posted by KellyBrian2013[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. The rest seem to be fairly typical cocktail hour stations.

The skewers would help, but since you already have the meatballs, I would try to add a salad and a pasta station, or perhaps just some mac and cheese or spaghetti, to round it out and make it more substantial.

rdavidson827

Thanks for the suggestions.  THey really do help in my direction I will probably go.  The 'heavy appetizers' was the term used by the wedding coordinator at the venue when we were just chatting about it.  Of course at the time I was thinking 'heavy appetizers' as being a bunch of appetizers and not thinking of the filling up a person.  Duh... brain far moment. 

My FI is from NM and probably about 30 people are coming from there and have been referring to Texas BBQ and wanting to check it out etc, and the other 100 guests or so are from Texas and I know for a fact 85% of them love BBQ since they are family I'm always around and friends I grew up with etc.  The other 15% not sure but the majority of the guests would probably be great with a BBQ buffet.  We were going to do it for the rehearsal dinner, but sounds like would be a good idea for the reception instead of the so called 'heavy' appetizers.   

So with that said...if I went with BBQ, would brisket, chicken and sausage plus side items work?  I would think it would be enough.  Side items like potato salad, beans, and stuff like that with bread and maybe salad?

thanks again for the responses.

Calypso1977

you'll probably spend just as much on all this stuff as you would a buffet.  id go with a buffet.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

If you are using this "central market" that PP talked about, I think I found some good stuff:

http://www.centralmarket.com/departments.aspx#/catering/salads-casseroles

Any of these salads or pastas would work really well. The food looks really good. I'd pick a few things from the list above (pasta salad, green salad, potato salad or lasagna). So it seems your caterer can accomodate some heavier items. Another hot dish (lasagna) would be great, but even a pasta salad would still be heavier and filling.

Also, depending on your budget, you could take out the meatballs, mushrooms, and one dip platter, and leave the veggies, cheese plate and other dip platter, then do a "full meal" of some of the following:

http://www.centralmarket.com/departments.aspx#/catering/main-dishes

lyndausvi

I like the BBQ option.  Definitely throw in a salad.

DramaGeek

BBQ option sounds good.  Will you have a veggie option or will they have to fill up on side dishes?  I've done plenty of "side dishes as dinner" and it's usually not a problem, but just something to think about.

NOLAbridealmost

During a "heavy hors d'oeuvres" reception at meal time, I would not even count cheese, veggie, and fruit platters in the equation of what you're offering per person.   If it's meal time, try to account for at least 12-16 pieces of individual items (non-fruit/veg/cheese tray pieces) per person. 

While it's always nice to have the cheese, veggie, fruit platters to round out the other things, they do not make a meal.  

You need to be thinking, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, chicken skewers, shrimp cocktail, mini-quiche, sliders, soup shooters, falafel, etc. in vast quantities if you're going to skip a traditional meal at dinner time.

mandi195

I agree with PP that the BBQ option sounds much better as far as being enough to keep your guests satisfied and not looking for more apps throughout the night. Hopefully you can make it work. I also like the idea of adding a salad. You never know if there could be a vegetarian coming with a guest (If you have +1s), or someone may simply prefer to have a vegetarian option for the night. 

That said, I think you're on the right track, and am happy to see someone that asked about a situation like this before it was too late to make a change.  

afeliz79

I think Texas BBQ is a great idea. Good luck!

rdavidson827

Thanks everyone!

I think we are going to go with the BBQ idea since I know it will go over good.  Plus I'm going to do the regular salad too in addition to sides and maybe a couple other vegeterian type as well just to be safe. 

peekaboo2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-food-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0d104063-8fd6-4acd-91e5-36278e88932cPost:6bad14d3-73b9-4eba-ac8d-46cfe98c6dd8">Re: Reception Food</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks everyone! I think we are going to go with the BBQ idea since I know it will go over good.  Plus I'm going to do the regular salad too in addition to sides and maybe a couple other vegeterian type as well just to be safe.  :)
Posted by rdavidson827[/QUOTE]

<div>I would also definitely do it deconstructed - meat minus sauce, buns on the side, asst of sauces on the side, etc.  That way you provide for food allergies too.  Being gluten free, I'd be pretty frustrated if all I could eat was salad :)</div>

courtski2004

I agree that BBQ is a good, cost-effective way to go. OP, I personally used Sonny Bryans for my RD, but there are tons of places in the area that have great catering options between $9-$11 per person.

FluffyGumDrop2

Not sure if you're still going to have the Tex-Mex items but you could possibly do black bean stuffed peppers or black bean quesadillas for meatless options. Don't forget the rice, cheese, veggies, etc.