Appetizers and dinner for 6 pm "ceremony"?

Hmm, I would expect some appetizers before dinner, but I probably wouldn't be upset if there weren't any. I would definitely enjoy the reception events (toasts, first dances, etc) more if I had eaten than if I hadn't. If I was hungry I would probably be less focused on those things and more focused on when the food would come.

It doesn't look like you're having a cocktail hour. If I have your time line correct, the ceremony will be done at 7:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:30 PM. Will they move directly to the reception space and be seated right after the ceremony, or will they be milling around? Everyone finding their seats can take up to 15 minutes (depending on the size of your wedding). If they go right to the reception area, will there be a bar for them to get a drink while they socialize at their tables and wait for your entrance and then dinner? I don't see a lot of empty space here to fill, and If that's the case, then I don't see the need for appetizers to be served. It is customary to pass apps if you have an hour gap between the ceremony and reception (a/k/a, cocktail hour), but it looks like you're skipping that -- which is fine.

If you are serving a full dinner, then you can just go straight from the ceremony to dinner. You don't have to have a cocktail hour. Just transition from the ceremony to dinner without a gap.

I wouldn't be angry, but I certainly would be anxious to have dinner. I think that if your guests are going to be waiting between the ceremony and reception you should have something. Even if it is small and cheap (chips & dip, nuts, candy, etc). Plus, it seems like often the food doesn't start at the exact specified time due to photos, toasts (depending on when you do them), finding your table, etc. But either way, I don't think your guests will be angry and they'll have a good time no matter what.

We will have some time between the ceremony and dinner so we are keeping it simple with some snacks set out. Chips, pretzels, trail mix, etc.

Thanks for the replies! I should have mentioned, it's all in the same space/room. We're not having assigned seating, and we're just having (gourmet!) pizza so it's not as if people will be rushing to find their seats as it's "serve yourself". Also, no toasts or anything that will hold up food being served. Once it's there, it's time to eat! We had originally planned to have cheese and baguettes, but my mom pointed out that that's essentially pizza haha! We will have alcohol out if people want to break into it early. If we can squeeze something into the budget, we will, but I just wanted to know if having people arrived at 6 and then wait till 730 for food was too long of a wait.

Given that you have it set for people to arrive at 6:15, I wouldn't necessarily expect a meal at all if I was attending. so I wouldn't be upset if there weren't appetizers.

like you said you're letting people know what's what before hand, so I think you're good.

so tell me more! what are you wearing? so excited for you!

It's dinner time, and yes, it's a bit long to make them wait for food, especially if it's a light meal like pizza.

Put out some crudites/hummus, something to tide them over, but I also question if that is really enough food for anything but the shortest reception....

@StitchingBride, thanks for your response! I was worried that if we did serve appetizers at 7, people wouldn't be hungry at 7:30 and we'd have food left over!

I'm wearing a limited edition Free People dress that I have been eyeing since before Christmas, and I was lucky enough to get it on sale at basically 80% off (AMAZING!) I suppose sometimes it pays to procrastinate! Haha. We're so excited because 20 family members and friends of Rich will be coming over from Wales, and it is the first time our families will meet. We really just want the night to be about our two families coming together, and a way to say "thank you" for their constant support of our love! Since we did long distance for a few years and had to go through the visa process for a year (and now the Green Card process) this is just our moment to celebrate. I couldn't be more excited!

Do you have any pictures? Sometimes things work out just right don't they?

when something feels right, then it is right. I bet everyone will have a blast!