Appetizers only?

I think it depends on the time it starts, and the length of the wedding. So I went to a wedding that the ceremony started early and there was about a 2.5 hr gap at about dinner time and it was told in the invitation that there wouldn't be a meal, but just finger foods, so everyone just went to eat and returned for the reception after. No one seemed to mind! It was like a night out with drinks and dancing! 😊

If it’s an evening reception I really think you should feed guests a full meal. Appetizers are yummy but they aren’t meant to keep you full during an entire night of drinking and dancing. As everyone always says on here, the quickest way to cut costs is cutting the guest list down.

I love a cocktail style reception! In fact, I had one myself with passed apps and small plates that were continuously served during our three hour reception. But the sad truth is that if you have your reception around a meal time or you're having a long reception, you're going to need food that is substantial, especially if you have alcohol. In order to get that with appetizers, you'll have to have a number of them which might not cost less money. I would go over that option with the caterer/venue and see what they say. You might also try talking to the caterer and telling them what you can afford (be realistic, though) and seeing what kind of proposal they can put together for you that might be outside of their "packages." I've done that several times for events (including our wedding) and it's worked out well.

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That's a really good idea.

What time were you planning on getting married?

View Quoted Comment We haven't set a time yet, but are thinking 3:30 and we have 5 hours with the venue so it will be done by 8:30. I know it's around dinner so we are providing dinner for the kids. If we don't get all 120 people to come then we might be able to serve dinner, buffet style. I'm just trying to get a feel for what people think 😊

View Quoted Comment Thanks for the idea about talking to them for something off menu! They are very flexible, just not on bringing outside food or beverages. That could be a great compromise, thanks!

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How are you going to provide dinner for the kids but not the adults? Honestly with your time frame that just doesn't sound like a good idea. People are going to be hungry and drunk. That does not equal a good time. I think you need to look at your budget and/or cutting down your guest list.

View Quoted Comment That's kind of what I was thinking. I think we might try and talk to the caterer and see if we can work something out.

View Quoted Comment There are only 10 kids coming and a kids meal, Mac n cheese type meal, is only $5. I think you are right though, we will have to rethink our budget. Thanks.

We are doing appetizers only, but its going to be a short cocktail (2 hours). It will start at 2pm.

Yeah, with that time frame and especially if you are going for the open bar, you are either going to need a meal or appetizers that are heavy enough and numerous enough to function as a meal. Otherwise, as other posters said, the booze is going to hit them way too fast. While 2 martinis after dinner might produce a strong buzz, 2 martinis after a few apps is going to result in drunkenness for most people. And, I mean, I am not against people getting drunk at weddings, but generally if that happens you want it to happen near the end of the night, if at all. Not within the first two hours.

I'd go through your guest list again and cut it down to the point where you can offer a meal if you are going to go with this timeframe and especially if you are going to have alcohol. Italian (and by Italian I mean "pasta") and BBQ buffet catering tends to be the most reasonable if you really need it to stretch.

What if you could start it at 1:30pm and then it can be over by 6:30pm?

Only if there are enough appetizers to make a meal. Honestly, it seems light. Cut your guest list or have a brunch wedding. It’s important to feed your guests well. Skip the photo booth or other elements, but not food.

I don’t think you can do this if your reception is at dinnertime! Why not start your ceremony at 1 or 2 and have your reception from 2-6 or 1-5? Then I think it would be fine to just serve appetizers

Agree with pps that if you go this route you'll want to move the time line up (and potentially shorten the reception) so you are done no later than 5. Even then, talk with your caterer about how many apps you're going to need to keep up with demand, while people are drinking. Search this forum for posts related to what you're considering. It seems like virtually everyone who does this right (i.e., has the minimally necessary amount/variety of apps) says it did NOT save them money over a basic meal -- and, it can easily cost more. Definitely do your homework and compare with how things would look if you did a less expensive catered meal (like BBQ or Italian) and/or cut your guest list. Good luck!

Why did you book a venue you can’t afford? For a five-hour wedding, you need to serve a proper dinner. Either cut your guest list or find a venue that will allow you to bring in your own caterer.

You definitely want to make sure your guests are fed. I agree with PPs that if you want to serve only appetizers then you should move the time up. If you're having a long reception at dinner time you basically have to serve your guests dinner. They will be hungry and you don't want them to have to go to fast food after the reception. My 2 friends went to a wedding that did this a few years ago and literally all they talk about when they remember that wedding was how hungry everyone was.
I'd also consider cutting your guest list a bit so you can put more money towards the food.

When you start pricing apps versus a meal you just might find that you will spend more on the apps then the meal. I would suggest talking to numerous caterers, giving them your budget, and see what meal they could do.

Alcohol and no dinner seems like a bad combination to me, even if it’s just beer and wine. I just think that’s a recipe for disaster. Agree with PPs that you should either just move your timeline or reevaluate your budget.

I think that is great, but make it a later event. In other words, appetizers are not really dinner food, unless you have a ton of them. Perhaps the venue can offer a rice and chicken dish or a pasta dish in addition to your appetizers (a couple of trays ought to do it) without breaking the back. So if you do a 8PM wedding, followed by cocktails and appetizers at 9PM - folks would have already eaten. Do have a wedding cake and see if they will let you bring in cookies and serve coffee and tea. Alternatively, lunch-brunch time, during the day would work, and as it ends early, they can still grab something to eat at home later in the day.