Heavy hors d'oeuvres

Generally, heavy hors d'oeuvers will cost as much, or more, than providing dinner.

Don't do it at dinner time, or any meal time. Guests will be expecting a full meal.

I've been to one reception that had heavy apps. The food was really good, but like OKD said, I discovered this can actually end up costing you more.

ETA: I should add the one I attended was at 8 pm. Well after "normal" dinner time.

I've been to one during dinner hour that only served hors d'oeuvres, but everyone was starving and there wasn't enough to go around. Everyone left early because two shrimp and one meatball didn't cut it, we were starving.

It absolutely won't save you money, unfortunately. In many cases, it can be *MORE* expensive than a regular plated or buffet dinner. You require a LOT more pieces than if it were just cocktail hour, and prepping, preparing, and plating all those tiny plates adds up quickly.

If cost savings is what you're looking for, italian menus (chicken/eggplant parm, lasagna, other pasta dishes) are usually a big money saver without sacrificing a quality, filling meal. BBQ as well, though I'm not a huge fan of messy foods like BBQ for a formal event.

I don't care what guests will expect. They're not the ones paying for it.

But that's interesting. I wouldn't think one would be more expensive than having a three course meal.

I will be doing it this weekend, I can let you know how it goes! As far as cost it came to a less then "full wedding packages" I looked at in my area but not by too much. Weddings are expensive either way to swing it.

You don't care about your guests?

This can be really expensive. We are having afternoon hors d'oeuvres for a 3 o'clock wedding, and I am paying easily as much as I would have for other types of food.

It's way fun, but you need to have enough; 12-16 pieces plus at least two stations. It's best if people know that it's a cocktail affair, and it's best if it's an off time. It's really not a budget cutting move, it's a style thing.

And if you don't care what guests expect?

Then don't invite anyone. Because that's a seriously rude attitude.

Like @Kathryn mentioned, this kind of reception can't be too close to lunch or dinner time.

And though I'm sure that it does sometimes cost more or about the same as a meal, my FH and I are doing this for our reception and it's costing us less than a meal would have. So it really depends, on your location, your vendor, your app choices...

WTF is wrong with you?!

ETA: Dont have a wedding, you dont care about your guets, and are being cheap. They dont deserve to have to go sit watch someone get married and eat one meatball who "doesnt" care.

I can easily put on the invitations "hors d'oeuvres & cocktails will be served" to set an expectation.

I've been to a party that was heavy hors d' oeuvres. While the food was great we were left wondering when dinner would be served?? It gets awkward imo.

We were going to provide heavy hors d'oeuvers for our welcome dinner the night before the wedding. The cost was higher because the restaurant had to prepare additional appetizers to ensure that they had enough to replenish the stations. The full buffet was considerably cheaper ($42pp as to $60pp)

Don't bother you dont care~!?

I looked into this at a few places and it would not have saved us money at all. In fact, it would have ended up costing more to include what I felt like was enough food to feed my guests. I ended up going with a station situation (2 carving stations, 2 entrees in a buffet type service, 2 veggies, a mashed potato bar) and this is after a cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeurves and crudite display. It will be about 1k less than just apps and we are getting exponentially more.

It's not saving any money, but it's our plan for our 3:00 reception

If you don't care why ask? Do what you want and fuck your guests... Since that's you're attitude anyway. Wow. If you don't want to serve a lot of food do a late evening wedding... duh.

A stationed dinner is insurance that your "hors d'oeuvres" will be heavy