Dinner hors d'oeuvres on invites

jcrew_shopaholic · January 2010

We are having hors d'oeuvres for our dinner reception, but more than enough for everyone plus 1-2 food stations. Would I have to indicate that on my invitations, or since we will be providing more than enough food for people to keep eating all night long, just leave it alone and have people be surprised when they get to the reception? I just don't want people walking in the reception and wondering why all the traditional "dinner tables" aren't set up and ready to go for dinner!

If I indicated the hors d'oeuvres reception, I would probably write something to the effect of:
Cocktails and dinner hors d'oeuvres immediately following ceremony

Is that even necessary or can I get by with just saying:
Cocktails and dinner immediately following ceremony

Thank you!!

squirrly · January 2010

You don't need to note what kind of dinner it is. However - you do need a seat for every person, and a spot for their drink. People's feet will hurt, and it's hard to hold a plate and a glass and still eat. So, they can be loung-y seats, but you need a seat for everybody.

Musicheals71 · January 2010

I'm having a cocktail/hors d'oeuvres reception as well and just simply said "Reception immediately following ceremony" at the bottom of my invitations. There will be plenty of food and no one will go hungry. Also, I will be assigning my guests tables by using escort cards.