Heavy Hor D'Oeuvres instead of Buffet/Dinner plates

Well thats tough because if people are expecting to have dinner they are going to be expecting that and will not eat before hand. But you are doing a carving station and heavy hor d'oeurves you might want to just make sure that you have enough food to go around. If possible if there is someway to let your guest know this beforehand so that they will not be upset or surprised that there will not be a dinner but heavy hor d'oeurves instead will more than likely make things easier because they will know what to expect.

I would be very upset if it were me. My husband and I changed from a full dinner to Hors D'oeuvres menu, but we haven't sent out our invites yet and we're having our wedding start at 6:30. If you told people they would be fed dinner then they won't eat before they come. If your guests are starving they will be unhappy and leave early...sort of undermining the whole point of the reception.

I could add to my wedding website the Heavy HD will be served..I can't decide how many trays of each item I need as well..Not everyone will eat everything served..I dont want to waste money and food.

Well I believe the Heavy HD are filling enough along with a carving station people should be satisfied..I hope.

Talk to your caterer they can help you determine what portions will best fit the amount of guest you will be having i think that more people will probably eat more from the carving stations more than anything depending on what kind of hor d'orves your serving.

I think you just need to make sure they are good. I know that sounds obvious but I went to a wedding where they did not inform the guests that it would be hor d'orves instead of dinner and the guests were so mad on top of that the hor d'orves were really bad we saw trays of plates being taken back to the kitchen full of food because there was nothing that tasted good. I would at the very least change it on your site so that people become informed. Good luck with everything!

Please be mindful to let them know that dinner is being replaced by Heavy Hor D'orves. Some guest may think that you are adding that to your dinner menu!

I agree with Anita talk with your caterer and go from there!

Well as long as the food is edible and there is enough to go around,(12-15 pieces pp) I think that you will be okay. I think 5pm people will be hungry and expect to be fed.

It depends how many pieces of each food type per person you are putting out. sometimes they are pretty expensive. but you did say you priced it out..just make sure you are ordering enough food..or people WILL leave early if they get too hungry and also they will get drunk quicker

I went to a wedding recently that had heavy h'ordeurves and I LOVED it, I was such a happy girl. So many choices and you're sure to have something that each person will love. If you go this route, just make sure the h'ordeurves are plentiful!

You are having a carving station with ham and turkey plus shrimp and grits, and eleven different items to choose from, that is both dinner and hors d'oeuvres. More then enough.

Heavy apps, often times, cost far more than a buffet would. Be sure to speak with your caterer about this.

I think that your menu is fine. You may want to add an extra dessert outside of wedding cake, say a cute candy station with cookies, small pretzels, wrapped mints, butterscotch, wrapped mini hershey's kisses, and other assorted candy from the bargain store in jars and have cello bags and scoops so that your folks could help themselves and it would double as a favor.

Usually one specifies "cocktails" and refreshments, but in your case, I think that you will have enough food and choices. You may want to add a simple rice or pasta dish to be sure. Check with your caterer. Good luck! Lise'

A reception with heavy Hors is a great idea, and your caterer should know just how "heavy" to they need to be at that hour and how many you will be needing per person. (that's their job!). With the carving station and shrimp etc. . . you should be fine. I agree with My Beloved, adding a simple rice or pasta salad would be a great idea and would round things out nicely.

We are considering this. even if we do it for 10 per person we still save 500 dollars

I showed a few of my friends the menu they were excited and said its plenty of food! People should get full off of the items we selected..if not then they can go get something to eat afterwards I don't care anymore. Weddings are overated and expensive! If I could turn back the hands of time we would just elope! I found that people are always going to be negative and have something to say no matter what we do! So what that we put dinner on the invitation..things change! We are paying for everything ourselves so I don't care how our guest feel about it! They are getting free food and cocktails..They came to see us get married and that's what is important first! Annnnd we are providing a mashed potato bar and childrens plates with chicken strips and fries! So if people aren't satisfied with that, then they are some greed monsters LOL!

From what you are saying, it seems like enough food. I would definitely put something on your website though - just because I would probably not eat enough thinking there was a dinner or buffet to follow. A heads up would be great and I think with the mashed potato bar etc., carving stations you should be fine.
Remember you are hosting the reception as a thank you to your guests for attending the wedding - so you can't really have the attitude of you don't care about your guests, they are YOUR guests.

I am sick of people saying well you did say you were having dinner..so I should feel obligated to have dinner..Heavy HD along with carving stations, action bars, and several trays to choose from is dinner to me..I'm just saying! My family and friends ARE my guest and they will understand and be happy I don't think they will be disappointed..I have updated my website and I will spread the word! MY ATTITUDE IS THAT I DONT CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY OR THINK ANYMORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE FROM THE BEGINNING, THEY DONT LIKE MY INVITATIONS, THE COLORS I CHOSE OR THE DRESSES OR I WOULD BE MAD IF I DIDN'T EAT BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO HAVE DINNER!! SO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO STARVE TO DEATH IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DNNER PLATE OF FOOD? THE THING THAT GOT ME IS THAT SOMEONE SAID YOUR GUEST WILL LEAVE IF THEY AREN'T SATISFIED?? THAT'S CRAZY I WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. I've been to weddings were the dinner was gross and they only have one item to choose from..

Bottom line is I need to learn to not worry about what people think and do what will make my soon to be hubby and myself happy!! I am stressed and tired of planning this thing and I can't wait for it to be over!

Of course I posted the question to get ideas and opinions...I was just venting ever since I started planning this thing people have been having something to say about what I should do and should not do in...I was pissed because of the commit that my guest are MY guest and that I have this attitude that I don't care about them..thats not the case! Of course my guest are important if they weren't I would be putting all of this thought into it..I was up until 430am going over the menu trying to make sure it was perfect and right!! I was not offended my anything you said I was offended that someone took it as if I had an attitude and didn't care about my guest...that is not the case!!