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Dedicated April 2020

Food served during cocktail hour?

Marie, on January 2, 2020 at 6:48 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 13

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So our biggest expense is going to be the caterer/bar, as they are a package deal. With 150 guests we are paying $10k for food and drink: sit down dinner plus a “nothings table” with slider burgers and other small handheld eats. Also kids room will have kids food (chicken strips, Mac n cheese). So I feel like we are offering our guests a LOT, food wise.
But we don’t have any food planned for cocktail hour. Is that wrong? Are you doing finger foods for cocktail hour?

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Jana, on April 15, 2020 at 3:12 PM

Master November 2020
Kristen · on January 2, 2020 at 6:59 AM
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You may want some food but just do cheese and crackers and veggies trays if it's in your budget. I have been to some weddings with no food during cocktail hour.
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Champion July 2019
Veronica · on January 2, 2020 at 7:12 AM
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I would definitely have something if you plan on having alcohol served during cocktail hour. You don't want your guests drinking on an empty stomach. I would have something simple like a fruit or veggie tray, cheese and crackers, or meat and cheese.
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Super August 2021
Dierdra · on January 2, 2020 at 7:26 AM
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I agree with the above. We are offering passed options but it is built in with our venue. Cracker/cheese trays, fruits, anything to soak up alcohol during a cocktail hour is needed to minimize drunkenness before the actual party! Could your venue put the nothings bar out for cocktail hour instead of the sit down dinner?
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VIP November 2021
· on January 2, 2020 at 8:06 AM
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I agree with the posts.. if there is alcohol there should be something to snack on - cheese and crackers, fruit, veggies and dip
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Super February 2021
Don · on January 2, 2020 at 8:38 AM
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Marie, you could ask to eliminate something from your nothing's table and have a cheese and crackers display during the cocktail hour, most of the weddings I've been to have offered cheese and crackers at the start of the reception.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on January 2, 2020 at 8:48 AM
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I’d definitely have some sort of food served at your cocktail hour if you are serving alcohol. It does not have to be anything fancy or expensive. Just a light snack.
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Dedicated January 2020
Marquita · on January 2, 2020 at 8:53 AM
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I agree. If you’re serving alcohol, definitely serve finger foods. Light snacks is fine. If not I would still try to have something even as small as Chex mix.
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Expert September 2021
Alycia · on January 2, 2020 at 9:09 AM
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We are going with basics veggies and dip, cheese and crackers. We want them hungry for the meal but not starving
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Super September 2018
Rachel · on January 2, 2020 at 9:30 AM
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Never heard of a “nothings table”, I’m guessing that’s a typo. The food for that sounds like cocktail hour food though, so I’d ask them to serve it during cocktail hour.
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Devoted October 2021
Tori · on January 2, 2020 at 11:46 AM
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I went to a wedding with an hour and a half cocktail hour where they didn't serve food. By two drinks in, I was feeling a little tipsy with no food in my stomach -- so I would definitely serve something with drinks. It can be small like cheese and crackers or a veggie tray. Just something so that people don't get too intoxicated before dinner.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on January 2, 2020 at 12:45 PM
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I would do at least 1 appetizer, even if it's super simple. People like to have a snack when they start drinking.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on January 2, 2020 at 3:59 PM
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We did a cocktail hour but I've been to weddings without one. I think if you're not going to have guests wait long and there's a transition immediately from the ceremony then it's fine
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Master October 2022
Jana · on April 15, 2020 at 3:12 PM
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Many bartenders require you serve food with alcohol to prevent people getting drunk immediately. Ask the caterer what your inexpensive options are. Even if its a cheese and meat tray.
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