Appetizers at Cocktail Hour - A MUST???

Actually, it really has little to do with the food. The cocktail hour gives the bridal party time to collect themselves, and to take pictures before the reception. You NEED that time. Besides that, with a late reception, your guests will be hungry by then. I would say that yes, in nthat case, it is a must.

I would say all the food is enough.

you want them to enjoy the rest of the food,

if you feed them during cocktail hour, some may not be hungry for your main courses.

My cocktail hour starts at 6:30 so i'm having light things, like a cheese and fruit tray and little cepresse salads on a stick... but i don't think it's necessary... but, people might be hungry because your ceremony starts around dinner time so you may have people that get drunk quickly with the open bar... so if you want people to be sober earlier in the day i would maybe provide something little like cheese and crackers or veggies and dip... but people also might snack before hand... humm.... that's a tough one... but you do have a lot of food so... yeah... I'm kinda thinking out loud and don't think it's helping...

I would say you should have something during the cocktail hour to nibble on. 7:30 is right around dinner party and having something to eat while drinking may be a good idea.

What time are you serving dinner? If you guests are waiting a long time before dinner is served, I would say yes to the appetizers, esp. since it is a late reception.

I don't think it's necessary to serve appetizers with cocktail hour. We are on a tight budget and not doing that.

What for dinner? i went to a wedding this past new years and since it was late-7:30 the same time as yours..all the had was a bunch of appetizers and open bar. but it wasn't really formal....

It's all really depends on your timeline. My cocktail hour starts at 5 and supper is at 6, so I see no need for appies, how ever, your cocktail hour is after supper, so chances are, your guests aren't going to eat a big supper right before yor reception. So maybe a few choices is a good idea, or even mention that there won't be appitzers at the cocktail hour andmaybe they should eat a light supper.

I think that you should have some sort of cheese/fruit spread for your guests. 7:30 is a pretty late start with nothing to eat. Plus you should definetly have food available to eat if the bar is open. Some venues do apps included with the cocktail hour.

Cheese and crackers at a minimum, especially if you're having an open bar.

On second read though, you have your reception at 7:30, and your service is 7pm? Technically you aren't having a cocktail hour. That is when the wedding party slips away for photos most commonly. You aren't getting any photos between? If you're really starting your reception then, you might be okay, but I'd still have cheeses and crackers out.

You don't need to do heavy apps, but I would definitely have something for guests to eat. Cheese, veggie & fruit display would be nice. People will not be eating before wedding and they will be hungry.

I would suggest having at least some light appetizers. People drinking on an empty stomach will lead to woozy/drunk wedding guests.

Yeah, like a lot of people have said, I think the answer to this question depends on how drunk you want the guests to be before dinner.

Thanks girls!

we are going with the veggie/dip and cheese/crackers combo. i think everyone would be too hungry otherwise!