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Appetizer reception help

pcslindsers06pcslindsers06 member
First Comment
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
So I am currently in the process of getting quotes from caterers for our appetizer reception, but I'm a little unsure of how to respond to their question of how long I need food served. Our ceremony is at 5 and is about 20 mins long. People will then head to our reception site (which is about 10 mins away) and will have drinks and light apps (provided by us) until 7. At 7, we were thinking of having the catered appetizers be served. Err maybe that wouldn't work.... I suppose it would be hard to keep people from eating the appetizers on the buffet (the ones that aren't being passed), instead of just the light ones that we were planning on providing (fresh fruit, veggies and dip, crackers/meats/cheeses, the usual). HELP! Would we need catered food from about 7-9? Longer?

Thanks ladies,
Thoroughly confused
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Re: Appetizer reception help

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    emilykathleen511emilykathleen511
    First Comment First Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Sorry, but if you would like to serve only appetizers, than you need to have your reception much earlier to be finished by 5pm or much later to start after 9pm. At dinner time, you need to serve dinner!
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    SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I too don't think you could get away with just appetizers for your time frame. That's generally dinner for a lot of people, and I'd wonder where the rest of the food was lol.
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    schmoodschmood member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011

    We considered doing an appetizer reception, but when we priced it out, it really wasn't that much difference in price than a plated meal... the apps might have been $1/pp cheaper.  As PP mentioned, if you are having people at your reception at 5:30/6 - you should give them substantial food.... either enough appetizers to make a meal, or an actual meal. 

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    graysquirrelgraysquirrel member
    5 Love Its Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I agree with pps on the time thing. If you still have time to change that, I'd consider moving the ceremony to around 7pm or so. No matter what you do, make sure that you tell people in your invitation that it will be apps only. But maybe you knew that part already =)

    Does your caterer charge per plate, per person, or per hour? That might determine how long you serve the food for. If it is per person, I'd have food available all night. If not, then I'd see what you have the budget for and go from there.  
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    pcslindsers06pcslindsers06 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    No offense guys, but I'm not asking for your opinion. We're going to have a LOT of appetizers, so people will be well fed. Like all of you, I have put a lot of time and thought into my planning and I know that this is dinner time. People will not go hungry.

    I was just hoping for help with catering timing. graysquirrel, thank you for the suggestion!
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    tpender13tpender13 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    OP, when you put a question out there in a public space, you open yourself up to comments. It's just a little difficult for some people to answer your question because they can't wrap their minds around only having some appetizers at dinnertime --- since you didn't say what kinds of appetizers you'll be serving, they're probably picturing the same little finger food things that I was.

    Graysquirrel had a good suggestion -- it depends on how they're charging you.


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    rachi1285rachi1285
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think it's fine to just have apps as long as it's made clear on the invite. We're just doing a dessert reception after our afternoon ceremony and I just made sure to list that on the invite and wedding website. Do what you want to do! It's your wedding!
    Can't the caterer wait till seven to set out the bigger apps? That way people won't see them and be tempted to start in on them. Or maybe have them set up in a different part of the room so they're not as noticeable right away? Or even put a little sign on them saying they're for later?
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    saric83saric83 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I've been to three appetizer (served at dinner hour) receptions, and they have always had way more than enough food and have been very well received by the other guests!  : )

    I would just ask your caterer if they have any suggestions for the order and flow.  The best one we went to was a mix of buffet and served apps over three hours.  There was a buffet of smaller apps like meats, cheeses, veggies, etc. which was the only thing out for the first hour or so.  Then there were six different kinds of served apps that went around for about two hours.  In the middle of that, they had a food station that was manned by a chef (it was cook-to-order shrimp with tons of different seasoning options) for one hour.  Then they did cake, and the food station and served apps stopped, but they refreshed the meat, cheese and veggies tray, and then the food station was replaced by a cookies and milk section.  Whew!  That was a lot....but at least it could maybe give you an idea.  Good luck!
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    pcslindsers06pcslindsers06 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    You last two posters are great.... thank you so much. Those are just the ideas that I was looking for! I think that's really going to help. We really loved the idea of having apps instead of a meal because we just think the feeling is so much more relaxed and lounge-y (not a word, I know).

    Thanks again rachi and saric!
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