Dinner at reception help

Because it's at a typical mealtime, I would say go with a full dinner. You could go with hors d'oeuvres if you're planning to provide enough for it to be considered a full meal, but that can sometimes get even more expensive than doing dinner.

I would also say full dinner

65 isn't technically very small. It's still a decent size wedding. If the gathering is at a mealtime then a full meal is expected. I am having a lot of heavy apps because the apps are cheaper but equal a full amount of food while giving my guests a lot of options. (example: I'm having bacon burger sliders, carnitas tacos, green chili mac and cheese, roasted brussel sprouts, and caesar salad)

Even though you don't have a dance floor, play music during dinner and play some fun tunes after dinner. I went to a wedding that didn't have a dance floor but people danced anyway by the tables. Keep it fun!

Our ceremony also starts at 4. We're doing apps from 5-6p and then a plated dinner at 6:15p

Agrrr that you should serve dinner since it will be held during dinner time.

You need to serve dinner because it's meal time.

I agree with PPs that a full meal sounds necessary!

I was gonna ask about appetizers as well. We have a buffet style dinner planned for 6pm....

You could get away with heavy appetizers and drinks! We are getting married at 4 outdoors also. We are serving dinner but when we looked at prices with the caterer we wanted, we could basically serve dinner for the same price as appetizers

View Quoted Comment I think we will just do the bar and dinner. Appetizers are expensive too

Also voting that there should be a full dinner since it is at dinner time. I'm also doing a small (25 people) wedding with no dance floor/no dancing, but planning for cocktails followed by dinner and cake - at roughly the same time as yours.