Cocktail hour food help!

You need to talk to your caterer. What about just cheese, crackers, fruit, and one other app? Our caterers price pp includes cocktail hour.

We went to a wedding recently that each table had two large wine glasses full of cheese with crackers in a small basket as well as just a spring of grapes sitting on a small charger for everyone to snack on (cocktail hour was in the same place as we were eating so there wasn't much room to mingle).

My fiancée and I are getting a popcorn maker and letting everyone have popcorn before the wedding with fun toppings. We are renting it from our caterer! Keep it simple and light!

Unless you are having a very brief cake and punch reception, I wouldn't suggest something as light as popcorn as an appetizer (popcorn is a snack food, not an appetizer). Two large wine glasses full of cheese and crackers and one sprig of grapes for 8 -10 individuals in not an appropriate appetizer selection. In fact, it's awkward.

You have two weeks and you don't have the cocktail hour set up? What do you mean when you say you've been quoted and it's out of your budget? Does that mean you're considering self-catering your cocktail hour?

Let's start with the basics...cocktail hour means cocktails. You are serving cocktails -- not mocktails, right? If you aren't serving cocktails, don't call it a cocktail hour. Call it a refreshment hour or a coffee hour, but please, don't imply that you're serving what you aren't.

Are you able to afford wine and champagne? There's nothing wrong with serving either at a cocktail hour. As far as food is concerned, you should be serving apps. They don't have to be fancy or served on silver trays, but they need to be available.

For 150 people, I would assume you'd need 6 apps per person (at least). That would be 900 pieces, Can you do 400 Pigs in a Blanket (everyone loves them), 300 Bruschetta, and perhaps 200 white meat chicken nuggets? Ask you local grocery store for prices.

Even better, talk to Olive Garden. They have good food, and they cater weddings now -- reasonably. Tell them how many guests you're hosting at cocktails hour and see what they come up with. It might be trays or it might be single pieces, but whichever it is, it beats popcorn or a limited amount of cheese, crackers, and grapes.

So, what's your situation? What are your limitations? What is your budget?

We have an open bar.. So yes there will be cocktails during our cocktail hour.

I am talking about food, for 1 hour.

We were quoted 1,500 for a simple fruit tray, veggie tray, and cheese and cracker tray.

Call Olive Garden, first thing in the morning. I think you can do better.

Centerpiece is my new favorite problem solver.

I'm kind of confused. Does that mean you weren't originally planning for any apps at all? Or you have apps planned, and want to add munchies for cocktail hour?

Chipotle does a very reasonably priced chips and dips spread of chips, guac and 4 different salsas that should carry you nicely though cocktail hour and is definitely within your budget. You still have time to order it - it can be ordered 24 hours in advance. Give them a call!

https://chipotle.com/catering

You can always look at public they have nice little food snacks and put it on the tray