Do we need cocktail hour food?

I don't think you need to have heavy hors d'oeuvres by any means, but some veggies and cheese and crackers might be nice.

I think something light would still be nice. If I were a guest, I would probably be pretty hungry by this point and to have a glass of wine or drink on an empty stomach wouldn't be my first choice. I don't think you have to go crazy though since your timeline is pretty scrunched together, just cheese and crackers, veggie display.

That's true. I never even thought about something light =)

They will be starving and not expecting to go to the bar and pay for a drink. I'd do a very short cocktail hour with one or two hors d'oeuvres. My bet is that, all things being equal, you're not going to be ready at 6:10 to serve.

You don't need heavy apps. Fruit and cheese is good for such a short time, remember your wedding is at dinner time, so ppl will be hungry. I've even seen plantains with little baked chicken nuggets served once and you would not believe how good they were together.

ETA: not cooked, seen

Another vote for light apps. That's past my usual dinner time and I'd be antsy to get a little something in my stomach. Also, alcohol with no food is a terrible combo.

I'd vote for something light, too - cheese and crackers, or a fruit/veggie tray? I personally wouldn't mind eating dinner after 6:00, but a single drink on an empty stomach would go straight to my head.

I agree something light would be appreciated because you're right around dinner and I know you aren't planning a large gap, but things happen and should dinner not be ready at the time you're expecting, people are going to be hungry. It doesn't have to be something big, just something to nibble on.

Definitely have something for your guests. Don't spend a huge chunk of your budget on it, but like everyone has been saying, crackers, cheese, veggies, fruit, and so on...

If your guests have been to weddings before (and I'm sure they have), they will leave the ceremony and expect cocktails and apps. That's the typical protocol for weddings. Most people have full cocktails hours -- as in one hour -- but your cocktail hour will be a half an hour. You don't need to serve a huge variety of fancy apps, but you do need to have passed trays of something to munch on while they're enjoying their cocktails (and I'm assuming the cocktails are not being served at a cash bar).

People might use the restroom, reapply their lipstick, find their escort cards, have a few apps, and a few drinks, but I doubt very much that many of your guests, if any, will spend that time checking out the hotel. I wouldn't. The countless cocktail hours I've been to -- whether 45 minutes or an hour -- include getting a drink, choosing an app or three from a passed tray, finding their escort card, and chatting.

Yes, you need apps. Not heavy, but you need apps.

Yes, you should still have something. Cheese and crackers, veggies and dips are easy and would work well.

I think we will go with some fruit trays and cheese trays. Thanks for the input guys!

Excellent choice, Katie. You'll be a great hostess, and your guests will appreciate your attention to detail and their level of comfort.

We are doing almost exactly the same thing as you. We will have about 30 minutes between ceremony and reception all in the same hotel. We are doing a party mix and the bar will be open right after the ceremony. We tasted their appetizers, but they were heavy. And we are serving bread, salad, plus the dinner has large portions so that's why we are going light with the party mix.