Cocktail Hour and Apps

If you are serving alcohol I feel like people should have something to snack on. I know it’s only and hour but it’s better to provide a little something. It doesn’t have to be super fancy as long as there is something for them to eat.

Yes, I think apps are necessary. It doesn’t need to be crazy, but you need something for people to graze on, especially if they’re going to be drinking.

Yes because the pictures could take longer than expected. As a PP said it could be just fruit, cheese and crackers and veggie platters.

I would definitely do appetizers during cocktail hour. Even if it's something simple like cheese and crackers, appetizers should be provided during cocktail hour.

Will there be alcohol served? I would say yes on the apps. I get hungry at weddings if the food is delayed.

Yes, they are a necessity.

I agree with the other posters. You don't have to go all out, but a spread of cheese and crackers, maybe some fruits and veggies with dip, or the like should be server so people can munch while they drink and mingle.

Totally agree with the others! You don’t have to go crazy but something to nibble on if alcohol is being served. We’re serving a raspberry and Brie tart during the cocktail hour.

I think they will be helpful in my own personal instance because I am serving drinks during the ceremony plus an open bar the rest of the evening so I want to keep food on their stomachs. Otherwise not necessary

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, they're much appreciated!

Yea I think it can even be simple like fruit and cheese and crackers

Food with alcohol is required by most if not all caterers for liability reasons. Otherwise you will have drunk guests pretty early on.

This is pretty much identical to our time frame for our ceremony and cocktail hour and we had three passed apps. I would say apps are necessary if you plan on serving alcohol during this time otherwise your guests will be drinking and there will be nothing in their stomachs to soak up the alcohol. You could have very simple apps like a fruit, veggie, meat or cheese tray. You could also do finger sandwiches or sliders. It doesn't have to be anything crazy or expensive, but you will definitely want to have some type of food available to your guests.

Yes, apps are necessary. People are going to be hungry especially if they are drinking.

Yes, they are necessary. You don't want your guests drinking alcohol with no food, regardless of when dinner will be served.

Yep, apps are definitely a necessity at a cocktail hour

I think they're needed especially for friends/bridal party/family members that have been there all day. If say they got to the venue to help set up/get ready/take pictures at say 10 or 11 and your ceremony is at 4:30 and dinner isn't till 6:30, that's a long time to go without something to eat. Even if you have some food in your suite it might not be filling enough. Plus adding alcohol into the mix.