Food Ideas for non traditional reception

I don't know that your idea is that untraditional. Are you planning on catering it yourself with help from friends and family? Go walk the aisles at your local Costco or Smart and Final and see what they have to offer. Then try to balance it a little so it's not all fried foods. You also might want to shoot for some oven-baked, some crockpot and some cold on trays.

FWIW, I hate finger foods (especially chicken wings) when I'm all dressed up -- too messy.

Check prices with your caterer. Appetizers are usually more expensive than a buffet because they are more labor intensive.

Lisa I was trying to figure out the best way to word it..to me its non-traditional because majority of weddings I attend have meats and starches (dinner/buffet). Thanks Nancy

We're having a nacho bar and platters of fruit and cheese and crackers.

We are probably doing a heavy hors'devours (I know I spelled it wrong but oh well!) reception. they aren't too common here but I hear in other places they are. We haven't picked our menu, but can choose from things like: a taco bar, crab cake bar, sushi bar, and tons of appetizers that I can't think of right now. We are probably doing a carving station so we have something that is nice and filling. They provide chips and salsa as well as a cheese platter. We are going to look at the buffet options as well. I want the evening to be about the dancing, etc. not a 5 course meal. But that's just me!

When I get home, I have a HUGE list--I'd be more than happy to share if you'd like!

Check out some of these- if I wasn't already doing bbq, I would totally do the avocado bar!

http://www.marthastewart.com/274717/easiest-party-foods/@center/276959/cocktail-hour

I don't think appetizer/dessert receptions are all that uncommon. It can be great if you do it right. Keep a few things in mind:

*it needs to NOT be at a mealtime. 2pm or 8pm ceremony times are ideal.

*you need to have a seat for every butt present. Once the food is served people will just eat all at once and they need a place to rest their plate. It can be a combo of highboy tables, barstools, lounge furniture, but the last thing you want is for people to be wandering around plate in hand.

Food-wise I think you can get as creative as you want. We had mini reuben sandwiches, mini potato latkes with apple chutney, mini caprese skewers, etc at our cocktail hour. I've seen things like mini sliders, mini hot dogs, mini tacos, soup shooters, etc. I do think meat and starch is still a good thing b/c it's more settling than all munchy food but you can do it in mini form. Just get a quote from your caterer.

We are doing crackers, cheese, sausage platters, potato skins, meatballs, chicken wings, fruit platters, fried pickles, mini pizzas, onion petals, veggie trays, taco bar, cupcakes, and pies.

We're getting married in the winter, so we are having a soup bar and a mashed potato bar! Mixed in with other stuff, but those are the things I'm most excited about, oh and hot chocolate and smores bars too

We will be doing finger foods. But more in the tea sandwiches, veggies, savory creampuff variety. Less messy than hot wings and meatballs... I hope.