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Wedding Reception Forum
hordol
member
Cocktail Hour Snacks
Hello! My fiance and I are starting to think about whether or not we want to provide some sorts of appetizers during our "cocktail hour" (which will be more like 35-45 minutes really). Ceremony and reception are in the same location so there is no gap between the two, other than what I mentioned above. We are planning to do our photography before the ceremony as well.
We had talked appetizers with the caterer, but eventually I just decided to take the money that would be used for apps and put it back into the dinner to offer more side options at our buffet (specifically for the few vegetarian guests we will be having). Our venue has a rule that no perishable food can be served that is not served by the caterer, but they said we could do nuts/chex mix, etc.
First question: Would you bother having any snacks for a gap that short?
Second question: What are some classy-ish non-perishable snacks? I'm already planning on mixed nuts and perhaps some dried fruit. Other ideas?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks
1- First of all, it's more polite to do so.
2- Are you serving drinks/alcohol? What about the people who won't be drinking? They should be able to enjoy something as well
3- If you are serving alcohol, even though it's a shorter time, you don't want to risk people getting liquor-ed/beer-ed up on an empty stomach. It will make for an awkward/disruptive reception.
It doesn't need to be anything over the top, crackers with cheese and such could be fine.
A few passed appetizers would probably be best. Think simple like stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, mini quiches or cheesy pastries. A few savory, but inexpensive, bites are best.
Nuts, chex mix, etc aren't my style.
[QUOTE]There will be alcohol, soda, and water served. Nuts/Chex mix/ etc aren't normally my style either, <strong>but the venue has a rule that no perishable food can be served outside of the caterer, so we could not do mushrooms/meatballs/etc</strong>. I do agree that people should have SOMETHING to munch on, but if we're limited to only non-perishables that doesn't leave a ton for options. I got excited because I was like, "oo! We could do cheese and grapes!" then quickly remembered that both are perishable, heh.
Posted by hordol[/QUOTE]
But you <em><strong>have</strong></em> a caterer, no? So ask to add these things. Just enough to take the edge off of hunger during cocktail hour.
I don't think it's very polite to have the guests left with nuts and chex mix.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks : But you have a caterer, no? So ask to add these things. Just enough to take the edge off of hunger during cocktail hour. I don't think it's very polite to have the guests left with nuts and chex mix.
Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]
<div>But as I also said in my original post, we discussed apps with the caterer and what we could afford was chips and dip. Not much better in my opinion, and we decided we would rather put that money back into the dinner in order to have a vegetarian option (we will have 3 vegetarians at our wedding and I want to be accomodating towards them).</div><div>
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You don't need a lot of items but you need more then just some nuts and chex mix (which you could provide as well along with what the caterer will provide). Also maybe see if popcorn could be an option. There are some amazing gourmet flavors available like garlic and parm cheese, etc, etc.
[QUOTE]I would have your caterer do something that is very simple like cheese and crackers, veggies and dip and maybe a hot app like a meatball or stuffed mushrooms, etc. You don't need to spend a lot of money especially since it will be such a short time span but you need somethig a bit more substantial then what you were thinking. You don't need a lot of items but you need more then just some nuts and chex mix (which you could provide as well along with what the caterer will provide). Also maybe see if popcorn could be an option. There are some amazing gourmet flavors available like garlic and parm cheese, etc, etc.
Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]
<div>Thank you. I will have to talk to the caterer and see if they do something more simple like that. When I had met with them they had told me chips, salsa, and quacamole was what I could afford.</div>
[QUOTE]I would have your caterer do something that is very simple like cheese and crackers, veggies and dip and maybe a hot app like a meatball or stuffed mushrooms, etc. You don't need to spend a lot of money especially since it will be such a short time span but you need somethig a bit more substantial then what you were thinking. You don't need a lot of items but you need more then just some nuts and chex mix (which you could provide as well along with what the caterer will provide). Also maybe see if popcorn could be an option. There are some amazing gourmet flavors available like garlic and parm cheese, etc, etc.
Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]
<div>Thank you. I will have to talk to the caterer and see if they do something more simple like that. When I had met with them they had told me chips, salsa, and quacamole was what I could afford.</div>
June 1, 2013 - finally making it official!