Heavy Appetizer receptions?

I've been to one wedding that only did appetizers but I would characterize it as light. Everyone was starving and we had to get MCDondalds afterwards. To this day that's the only thing we talk about when we think about that wedding.

You mentioned "heavy appetizers" so I feel like if you truly have a nice spread this then might not be a terrible idea. But if you're going to spend the extra money to get a lot of food so guests don't go hungry, you might as well do a standard cocktail hour and dinner.

My cocktail hour had SO MUCH food people couldn't even get a taste of everything and even so they still all devoured their meals at the reception.

Bottom line: whatever you decide to do, don't leave guests hungry.

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Oh wow, everyone went to Mcdonald's after? Not good, that is terrible! I hear what you're saying. Thank you for your feedback !!

I did this! I had passed apps and several stations. There was plenty of food, served continuously, and it was a very social/mingling atmosphere. I chose this partially because I love small plates (I do a finger food only dinner party for Christmas every year and it's a hit) and partially because our reception was only three hours long.

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OHHH, the stations idea sounds really fun!! Aw, I am so happy it was a success!!!

I have been to a number of these. One, bad. Every thing was fried, or really fatty, small servings of entrées really, but nothing else, then really rich desserts. So people filled up, like having 12-14 oz barbecue or double fried chicken , and many were sick with it before dessert . But all of the good ones people lived, more like a food court with small portions, good balance of apps, some very simple and light, ⅔ of choices, then some really rich or beloved fatty and salty things. Everyone full, and happy. Working catering, it used to be frustrating for owners to struggle with customers, who would want every item to be exotic, or super rich, or really spicy. And thought anything else not worth paying for. So balance choices, and you will be fine. .

We are doing something similar to this. We are having an early afternoon wedding and reception in the spring. So, fruits, vegetables, pasta, chicken salad with various breads, crackers, cheeses, etc. We are also having different teas, lemonade, and water with various fruits to put in them. I think it will work nicely for our group.

We are doing this but it will be more than enough food to make it dinner. Here is our menu.

Cocktail Hour Passed apps:

Kale and Veggie Dumplings

General Tso Meatballs

Cocktail Hour Nosh Station:

Crudite Display

A beautiful display of assorted meats, artisan cheeses, roasted

vegetables, breads, crackers, hummus, honey, fruits and olives

Food Stations:

Caesar Salad shooter station

Pasta station

Mashed Potato station

Carving station

Asian station (food served in take out boxes with chop sticks)

Chicken and Waffle station

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Wow, that sounds really delicious, I am having an evening wedding and reception so I am open to a lot. I have the venue booked but I have so many ideas for good. The first one I was going to do was a buffet, then I thought about plated... now I am thinking about this!! I don't know what to do! I Regardless of how I serve the food, my biggest fear is food running out or not being enough to get people full.. so that they can enjoy the open bar!! AHH!

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Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing!! How many guests are you expecting, if you don't mind me asking? The Asian station sounds absolutely amazing!!!

I think this works if you do an early afternoon/brunch time. But if it’s in the evening ppl are going to expect a full meal/dinner.

Hello Andrea. I would go for a plated meal if it is an evening wedding. Even if you end up going the buffett route.

I think this works for a shorter function or for events that don’t happen over a time that a meal would normally be served. Or sometimes it’s an ok option for tight spaces because you can fit more people at a table or use cocktail rounds.

Any of the the venues I looked at, this was the most expensive way to go. For the cost, I’d rather serve an actual meal.

View Quoted Comment This sounds so much better than the usual boring chicken breast plated meal. I would love to go to a wedding with all those options.

We are just doing appetizers. Crackers and cheese platters, veggie platters and fruit platters. Only having about 50 in attendance. Close friends and some family. I think it will work well. Our wedding is at 2 pm

We are serving brunch. Lots of choices. We have a 4 hr reception. If anyone leaves hungry, it's going to be their fault. Ha! Ha!

Our venue specialises in this type of reception (they do sit down dinners as well, but have become famous for the canapés style dinner). All of the reviews I have read about them say that no one was hungry and there was so much food that just seemed to keep coming.

And everyone is different. I actually prefer lots of smaller dishes. I get bored eating one big piece of something. So I would love going to a weddin with this style dinner. And I’ve been to weddings that had tons of food during the cocktail hour that I ended up being too full to eat more than a few bits of my dinner.

Have you tried looking up reviews of your venue to see if anyone mentions the different types of dinners to see what people say about them?

I would enjoy this however keep in mind that it will likely be more expensive as the food is more work to prepare and you'll need more of it. For some reason I will eat way more mini things than i would if it were a full sized option

We have finally put together our cocktail hour and reception food and drinks..
Cocktail Hour
Assorted Dips
Mini Cheeseburgers
Steak and potatoes kabobs
Chicken and waffles
Taco station
3 signature punches and beer

Reception
Prime Rib carving station
Pasta station
Salad bar
Mashed potato bar
Seafood station
Grilled Cajun skewered chicken
Chicken teriyaki kabobs
S'mores station
Candy bar for the kids since it's close to Halloween
Hennessy themed adult dessert bar along with a Cognac and Cigar Bar

I've heard it ends up being more expensive than a traditional meal, if you have enough to actually fill people up. I've been to one wedding like this, my advice is to tell guests that's what the wedding is (sign at the reception or on the invites) so they know to eat enough when appetizers are being passed. And to have variation of passed & stationary appetizers.

I think it mainly depends on the time of your wedding. We're doing a heavy hors d'oeuvres buffet for 2 hours along with fruit, veggies and cheese with crackers.