food for 9pm reception?

Just asking, but why so late?

I don't consider 9 p.m. to be a meal time so I would be fine with heavy appetizers. But this also depends on when your ceremony is. If your ceremony is during a meal time and there is no time to eat in between then I would want a meal.

Is there a reason you are having it so late?

What time does the ceremony start?

If you're doing hor d'oeuvres, you would need to make sure there's a lot of them to be able to replace a meal.

It's a late reception...that would be something I'd be more concerned with than what you're serving (which should be quite app heavy).

How late are you expecting people to stay? What time is your ceremony?

I think since this is a non-meal time that should be fine. You may want to try a taco bar or fun "station" food too for people to chow on in between dancing.

What time is the ceremony?

Our ceremony is at about 7:30pm on a Saturday. It's a catholic ceremony so it'll be about an hour long. Reception is in the same place but different building.

Maybe I shouldn't say hor hor d'oeuvres. I was thinking more finger food stations, Maybe sandwiches/cheese platters/fruit?

EDIT: Our dance is until 12:30am.

Your dance is really late...are you really expecting guests to attend a 7:30 PM wedding and then wait for five hours to watch the first dance? App/cocktail party or full meal -- that's a lot to expect of your guests. By 11:00 PM. they will have probably decided that there isn't going to be a first dance. I'd urge you to push that dance far closer to the start of your reception.

@Rachel D. lol sorry. Let me clarify..dance is UNTIL 12:30am...as in that's when the whole entire thing will end and clean up starts. Ceremony should end around 8:45pm and we were thinking of doing the first dance by 9:30pm (but still leaving food stations out). First dance is the only "traditional" thing we're doing..no garter/bouquet toss/toasts. We're really simple.

@Rachel - I think she means the dancing will be open until 12:30, not that that's when her first dance will be.

@OP - I think you're good with finger foods and desserts for this timeline. Just make sure to get them professionally made in a safe kitchen and served safely to your guests.

Oh, lol, I misunderstood, and I'm glad that I did. Happy wedding, Sarah. Your timeline is just fine.

@Becca. The "why" doesn't matter. That hour is normal for us and our families/culture.

All she's saying OP is don't be surprised many of your guests don't stay that late.

@Sarah If that time is normal for you guys then it sounds perfect. They probably eat dinner a little earlier, too. I think heavy appetizers and/or food stations is good.

Im having a 2pm wedding ceremony and reception at 3:30 and I STILL can't figure out appetizers or dinner LOL!!

I think you're okay with just finger foods and desserts. However, I wouldn't be disappointed if many people skip your ceremony and only attend the reception. As 7:30 on a Saturday night is prime dinner hour.

If I attended a 7:30pm ceremony with a reception that lasted past midnight and wasn't served a full meal, I'd leave by 9 pissed off and starving.

I think heavy appetizers or even a food station would be good. And I think the timeline is fine too. If I knew I was going to a wedding at 7:30 I would just start getting ready and have dinner a little earlier, no big deal.

Heavy apps should be ok. I'd eat beforehand as there tend to be delays at weddings. Eating dinner at 9:00 PM is not culturally acceptable in my realm. They would be some super angry and hungry people.....likely hostile too.

Yea sorry I would leave by 9pm starving and upset. That is way too late.