Cocktail Hour Appetizers for 200 Guests

I don't know what the rule of thumb is, but we had 8 appetizer options for 120 guests.

So I'm from NJ, and I've been told that we do weddings a little extravagantly over here. I had 115 guests and our cocktail hour had 8 passed hors d'oeuvres, 2 stations, and a charcuterie/veggie/dips table. In contrast, I went to a wedding in North Carolina where there just 3 passed appetizers (and only 1 of which I could eat) so I was STARVING by dinner. So I would say have more than 3 different types at the very least.

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Gotcha ! Thank you!

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Perfect ! Thank you so much !

I had that same dilemma. We are so excited about our "real" food that we didn't want guests to overdo it at the cockail hour (that is really only 30 minutes for us). So, we are only doing 1 food option. I think because it is such a short amount of time, by the time they get their, get their drink, eat their one app, see where they're sitting.... it will be time to go into the reception area. A half hour isn't that long.

Just came back from a wedding and the only thing to eat for AN HOUR AND A HALF was fruit and cheese. Trust me, I was ready to eat the damn grass by the time the wedding party decided to finally arrive. Ugh. Our wedding of 65 guests will have 4 choices of appetizers, a fruit/cheese tower and charcuterie boards.

We are having 3 options… Crab Mac and cheese cups, a veggie display and sweet and sour meatballs! Honestly I think that sounds like plenty to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

View Quoted Comment Ugh, that is the worst! And when you add alcohol on top of it, it’s even worse!
We will be having under 50 people at our destination wedding, and will be having charcuterie trays (meats, cheeses, fruits), and 4 different passed hors d’oeuvres.

I think for 200 people you want between 6-10 passed apps and at least one stationary display.
We had 50 guests and had two heavy interactive stations (build your own mashed potato bar and a slider bar with three protein choices) and three passed apps.

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PLUS there was ONLY alcohol during the cocktail hour - NO water, no soda. MY FH doesn't drink - wth?!! Seriously, The. Worst. Wedding. Ever. For. A. Guest. (this is the one with the"elegant" dress attire for the outdoor picnic pavilion reception)

View Quoted Comment Oh jeez… it just keeps getting worse 🤦🏼‍♀️
Sometimes I wonder if these couples even bother think about their guests’ experiences

Our venue does 3-5 passed hors d'oeuvres. I think the crux of the issue boils down to how long your having your cocktail hour for and having enough food for everyone to have something rather than however many different types. Your caterer/ venue coordinator should be able to help with that. Keep in mind any food allergies or dietary restrictions as well so you don't have guests who can't eat anything.

We're doing meat/cheese trays, crackers/pretzels & dips and fruit/vegetable trays. Our cocktail hour is only an hour since we're doing most pictures before the ceremony. I don't want guests to fill up too much but I also don't want them to feel like they're starving.

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Gotcha!! Yes ours will be for an hour and my family can eat lol So adding in my fiance's family. I was thinking for an hour we possibly need more. But that makes so much sense with your cocktail hour being 30 minutes. Are you all doing a first look?

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Sameeeee, our caterer reports her charcuterie board includes similar things. So now you are making me wonder if that honestly would be enough then.

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3-5 is going to be niceeee ! I am still picking between lighter options, but I am bouncing back and forth between charcuterie board, hot spinach dip with pita chips, and tomato basil wontons so they are not miserable by dinner. But we are not doing a first look and our venue is kind of huge . So we will probably take pictures throughout that entire hour. So that is my fear is they will be starving. But thanks sooo much !

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Yes, we're doing a first look. I considered doing away with the cocktail "half hour" all together and just getting our party started early, but then realized if I didn't have it... my guests wouldn't see the beautiful gardens at our venue. So, it's back in. :-)

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If you want my two cents, tomato basil wontons sound AWESOME! lol

We're planning to have toasts right after our grand entrance and then go right into dinner rather than first dances or anything. I'm hoping that'll keep everyone from getting hangry during the dances so they can enjoy them a bit more.

For 200 ppl, I would suggest 2 stations and 4-6 server- passed options for variety. You want your guests to be comfortably spaced and fed without worrying about missing the server or crowding a table. You can choose lighter options (less meat) if you are worried your guests will overeat before plated dinner.

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OMG ! Lol not grass, you are hilarious but I completely understand ! That is how I typically feel or felt at other peoples wedding. So that is what I want to avoid ! I am thinking 3 for a cocktail hour of 1 hour. With that many options are you concerned they will not eat dinner? Or do you kind of have that feeling i have of " people will eat and eat and eat as long as options are out ?' lol