Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Reception Forum
Wedding Reception Forum
New Discussion

Cocktail Hour Snacks

hordolhordol member
100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
in Wedding Reception Forum
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?
image



PitaPata Dog tickers
Report Reply to Post

Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks

  • lisabeatslisabeats member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Even though it is a shorter time, I highly suggest having SOME kind of food available during the cocktail hour.
    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.
    Report Reply
  • itzMSitzMS member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers First Anniversary
    I think any time there is drinking, you should have food. I highly doubt the gap between your ceremony end and dinner being served will be as short as you think.

    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.
    Report Reply
  • hordolhordol member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
    There will be alcohol, soda, and water served. Nuts/Chex mix/ etc aren't normally my style either, 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. 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.
    image



    PitaPata Dog tickers
    Report Reply
  • itzMSitzMS member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-hour-snacks-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:bac49a66-ed90-4d3b-bff8-50860e06a0aePost:8ba4409e-a213-443b-ab9b-b0e691c9ce73">Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks</a>:
    [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.
    Report Reply
  • hordolhordol member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-hour-snacks-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:bac49a66-ed90-4d3b-bff8-50860e06a0aePost:433e35ec-b031-4923-a982-4711c9ebd74b">Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks</a>:
    [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>
    </div><div>
    </div>
    image



    PitaPata Dog tickers
    Report Reply
  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    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.

    Report Reply
  • hordolhordol member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-hour-snacks-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:bac49a66-ed90-4d3b-bff8-50860e06a0aePost:c50ef365-9cab-4363-b0a3-a39ce9b582ef">Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks</a>:
    [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>
    image



    PitaPata Dog tickers
    Report Reply
  • hordolhordol member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_cocktail-hour-snacks-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:bac49a66-ed90-4d3b-bff8-50860e06a0aePost:c50ef365-9cab-4363-b0a3-a39ce9b582ef">Re: Cocktail Hour Snacks</a>:
    [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>
    image



    PitaPata Dog tickers
    Report Reply
  • PookiesonPookieson member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary 25 Love Its First Answer
    If you are doing photos before....why the cocktail hour? That's how you can save money.

    image

    June 1, 2013 - finally making it official!

    Report Reply
  • hordolhordol member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer First Anniversary
    Thanks for the input, I will just get rid of the cocktail hour altogether. To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure what a cocktail hour was--I just assumed it was the lag time between the ceremony and reception while we get everyone through the receiving line and get things ready to go for the dinner (which is why I only thought it would be 35 minutes or so) and we figured we would start serving drinks at that time so I just called it a cocktail hour but I guess that's not the word I'm looking for.

    So would you suggest I just don't have anything served and guests can just mingle on their own until dinner? 
    image



    PitaPata Dog tickers
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards