Appetizers/Hors d'oeuvres as Dinner?

halfbreedfox · January 2013

Hello everyone!

I was curious about this idea, since my budget is getting a little tight. I have seen people suggest some very delicious and creative appetizers. Heavier foods like mini burgers sound pretty filling if you have several other foods and dessert to try. So many sound good to me, I was wondering if I could serve just a wide range of these mini foods for my guests to munch on.

I am only going to have 70 guests, including the wedding party, so it's very small. Also, the location in such that my fiancé's family can make the drive in a day, but since my family is spread all over the U.S., they will have to drive far or fly (which explains the small guest attendence). The reception will start around 7 p.m.

Of course, a cake will be served and I will be making a few pies since my finacé loves pies. So with all this in mind, could I pull off an appetizer main meal?

Thank you for your help!

NOLAbridealmost · January 2013

If your wedding is at dinner time (7 is), you can do enough heavy apps to constitute a full meal... Like 12-15 pieces per person with a variety of choices and hearty options ( like the sliders you mentioned).

Peavy · January 2013

As long as you have enough food to constitute a meal, you're fine. But because appetizers are labor intensive and you need a variety of them, this could easily end up costing more than a plated or buffet meal.

ArielA11 · January 2013

We are doing passed hors 'd'oeuvres for the cocktail hour and then food stations instead of served dinner. These will be a hot dip table, vegetable crudites, Beef and Chicken Fajita Skewers, Beef and Turkey Sliders, grilled veggies, Caprese Skewers and a Mac & Cheese Bar!

Maggie0829 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_appetizershors-doeuvres-as-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:a18819a5-c005-44e2-9aac-f03888c8f91ePost:707b7d12-8ae3-4260-a9f9-2c869025710e">Re: Appetizers/Hors d'oeuvres as Dinner?</a>:
[QUOTE]As long as you have enough food to constitute a meal, you're fine. <strong>But because appetizers are labor intensive and you need a variety of them, this could easily end up costing more than a plated or buffet meal.
</strong>Posted by Peavy[/QUOTE]

This. Since you will need quite a few apps per person (12-15) and a good variety you really need to work out prices in regards to just apps compared to a buffet or plated meal before you make your decision.

halfbreedfox · January 2013

Thank you everyone for your great input.

I have another question now.

The hotel I want to book as a great restaurant attached to it. I don't have any hard numbers, but I can definitely cater through the restaurant if it fits my budget.

If I can't afford to go all out on proper meals or enough appetizers, does it seem rude to encourage guests to eat at the restaurant next to their hotel before coming to the ceremony and reception? Since it is so close I figured it would be convenient for them. But I understand pushing them to spend more money to feed themselves could be seen as rude.
I would still order appetizers and other deserts for the reception, just less of it with this option.

And the above scenario is only if the catering cannot fit my budget.

Thoughts and opinions?

Peavy · January 2013

Yes, this is very rude. You have to properly host your guests. If you can't afford to serve a meal, then have your ceremony at 2PM or 230PM, serve cake and punch and maybe a few appetizers, and the reception will be over by dinner time. Then your guests can get their own dinner wherever they like. But if you invite your guests to join you at a meal time, you need to serve them a meal (or enough apps to equate a meal).

Sue-n-Kevin · January 2013

I understand your situation, as weddings are expensive. However, meal time can be lunch/brunch (noon-2 pm start time), or dinner (anytime after 5 pm, before 8 pm).

If you want the "feel" of a reception, with dancing/music, a DJ/band, and alcohol, then you have to decide what is most important: having it before you save enough money for food or appetizers at a meal time, or waiting until you have saved enough to properly feed your guests based on the time you have chosen.

To be honest, the cheapest option for food at a meal time is a buffet, where a caterer or restaurant puts out food for people to serve themselves. The food is prepared in bulk, in large containers, is replenished by a server, and the tables are cleared by 1-2 servers.

We had our reception at a meal time, had 73 guests, and our budget for a buffet (with a caterer, servers, some linens, plates, utensils and glassware) was nearly $55 per person. That was at a NON-"all inclusive banquet facility". I'm a foodie, so yes, there was some really great food, and that price did not include alcohol. The ability to bring in our own alcohol kept the cost down to $400 for beer, wine and signature drink.

The important part of the wedding is that you are married, and you serve the guests you are hosting, who attend, something to recognize their attendance at this special event. If you want a "party" type of event, plan it later in the evening which has allowed them to eat on their own before they arrive, ie have the ceremony around 8 pm, then a reception. You don't have to tell them where to eat, they will do it on their own at home, or a restaurant.

In other words, think of all the weddings you have attended: with getting ready, driving there, anything planned to start before 8 pm will be intruding upon the dinner meal time. Same with an earlier wedding during the lunch hour.

If your budget is an issue, save more and wait, or have your ceremony and reception after a meal time.

halfbreedfox · January 2013

Thank you everyone for your feedback. It really helps.

I will be sure to feed my guests plenty of food.

Appetizers/Hors d'oeuvres as Dinner?

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