Heavy apps, when do guests eat?

The appetizers have been served during the cocktail hour while the bride and groom get pictures taken at every wedding I've been to.

@GrumpyCatRebecca

There is no meal, though, other than apps there will just be dessert (cake, etc). I don't know if that makes a difference.

I guess I'm mainly wondering what the guests will do in either case - if they don't serve apps until we arrive, what do guests do when they can't drink? If the food goes out and everyone is done eating by the time we arrive, do they get bored while waiting for the cake to be cut?

I want to properly host them, so do we need to have activities or another plan to make sure they don't get hungry or bored?

I realize the reception will be fairly short and there won't be tons of dancing with the timing and a lack of alcohol, but I don't want them to be bored while they are there.

I guess my point was that you should have the apps served while you are getting pictures taken. Otherwise your guests are literally just standing around waiting for you with nothing to do. Even if you are not serving alcohol, people might still be expecting the apps during that time since most weddings are organized that way. Once you arrive at the reception you can continue to have the apps served and then cut the cake eventually.

Okay, thanks

I'm talking with FH about doing a first look so we can minimize the time the guests have to wait ... Do we need to consider having something fun to do for the guests? Photo booth, games or something like that?

Since you aren't having a full meal, I wouldn't do a traditional cocktail hour, since your reception is basically a long cocktail hour. I would do a first look and do any photos before the ceremony and/or after the reception. That way your guests aren't standing around while your taking photos. I'd go straight from the ceremony into the dances and everything if you're having them. Then bring out the apps.

Let your guests eat while you are taking pics. If there's not a sit down meal, I wouldn't make everyone wait to eat while they are waiting for you guys! If there is plenty of food, there will be plenty when you arrive.

The one thing I would talk to your caterer about.... I was at a wedding where there were just heavy apps, and by the time the immediate family/BP got there, the food was pretty much gone. My 80 something year old gmom (the gmom of the groom) didn't get to eat because of it.

So I would have a good conversation with your caterer about the replenishment of food over time.

ETA: do as many photos as possible before the ceremony, so you can join your guests right away.

Could you just put some of the lighter apps out while you're taking pictures, then put the heavier ones out after? So more of a progressive style "meal"?

Otherwise, I'd probably try to get all your pictures beforehand, then join your guests immediately after the ceremony!

I'm having popcorn right after the ceremony around 4:30. Then a late dinner at 7pm.

Can you stagger apps, like PC said? Do some light cheese & cracker/veggie tray type things during cocktail hour, then the heavier apps after that? You need to have something during cocktail hour, even if you had alcohol I'd suggest having some type of light snacky food for people. You're having non-alcoholic drinks, right?

I would stagger how the food is served. Have passed food after the ceremony on the lighter side, then stationed apps once you're done with pictures and get announced etc. Or switch the food around. But I wouldn't put it all out at once.

Lbee, so your guests are supposed to come to your ceremony at 3 or 4:00, have some popcorn after, and then not have dinner till 7:00? Maybe advise on your website that people should stash some granola bars in their purses.

Do photos before. Are people expecting a meal? Stagger food because people will start eating as soon as food is out. They shouldn't have to wait for you to come to the reception.

Wow, I haven't been on WW in a while, except on my phone where I can't see my own posts.

Thank you for all of the advice. I will talk to the caterer about staggering the apps, perhaps leaving the heaviest ones until we arrive. The first look is becoming more and more appealing. I've always wanted to do it, and he's not opposed but it's looking like this really makes the most sense.

I had considered that the BP might not get to eat, but we were going to make sure they had food, even if we have to arrange for food for them separately at our photo site ... but I forgot that family would be with us, so thank you for that reminder. I will definitely make sure that parents and grandparents get a chance to eat all of the wonderful food that we are paying for.