Hor Dourves Reception

For a six pm ceremony, I expect a full meal.

You'll need to plan 12-15 pieces per person for a meal. Probably include some carving stations as well.

I would expect dinner at 6 pm. If you only want hors d'oeuvres, it might be better received at a non-meal time

You need a full meal at that time. If you want to stick with apps that means multiple passed apps plus 2-3 stations. Don't forget, every butt needs a seat.

Hors d'oeuvres can be a meal. But you need to have the same variety that one would see at a meal. You need a good balance of protein, veg, and starch.

This is likely going to be more costly than a buffet or sit down meal since you need more staff to pass and replenish food.

Best typo of the day goes to LB - "Don't forget, every butt needs a swat"

Copy and paste response from very similar thread:

I went to one and before going I thought they were a great idea because I love appetizers. Afterward, a friend of mine commented that there was hardly any food. This was not true. The couple paid a fortune for a huge variety of high quality, heavy apps. They could have fed 20 extra people. The problem was that people who were up dancing and having a great time and not sitting /standing around missed the food. They would grab something as it went by, but at the end of the night realized they really didn't eat.

I like it. Especially before the buffet opens and after ..

@Chrissy Damn mobile lol

@Kim OP is saying there would be no buffet. This would in lieu of that.

You can totally do it, but you need to have enough food. Twenty pieces of hors per person, (not necessarily 20 types) and at least four stations; carving, pasta or mashed potatoes, a cold station with cheese, fruit, charcuterie and something else (one of my venues does a bacon station that is the total end of the earth...) One of my venues does little pizzas that they bring to every table; it's screaming cool. Another does little platters of mixed appys that they bring to the tables.

On your invites, you let your guests know that you're doing hors, so they don't pace themselves thinking dinner is coming. You have seating for everyone, not at big tables of 10, but high-tops, lounge furniture, a mix of things. You don't herd everyone in and sit them down for a first dance and speeches, you let that unfold more organically.

It can totally work but it's far more orchestrated than just serving hors instead of dinner.

Depending on size of party, I would be nervous with just high-tops and lounge furniture for anything more than a one hour cocktail party. The over 60 crowd is not likely to like high-tops. Without assigned tables, many people will camp out and save seats. The venue may look pretty, and may work well for people 20-30, but may not work well for all parties. I think some people like the concept of "mingling" but many people do not like being forced to mingle. IMHO, if you are not going to assign tables, you need at 10-20% extra seats.

As long as you have "heavy" hors d'oeuvres and a couple carving stations, sure. It can work. As long as you are serving a substantial amount of food, there's no need to do a plated or sit-down dinner. I would note on the invitation though that it's a cocktail reception or heavy apps, etc.

If the group is only going to be comfortable sitting at tables of 10, this isn't the style to go with. It's not an 'assigned seating" kind of party.

And I'm over 60. A high top with a seat and lots of hors?

Heaven. 60 is the new 40....

We had appetizers and salads and it was fine but our wedding was at 2 and our reception at 4 so you might need for 6pm

Lisa, to do it properly, an hor d'oeuvres reception will cost about as much as a full meal. So, if you're looking for a budget friendly option this isn't it. I would enjoy this type of reception as long as there was enough food.

Hors d'oeuvre receptions are expensive. I am doing this and am spending more money than I would be if I was to do a plated dinner or buffet. The amount of each type of Hors d'oeuvre per guest would surprise you, for my wedding of 125 we are talking 42 dozen of most of the items on our menu. Also, make sure you have it written on your reception card that it will be a Hors d'oeuvre reception; with a 6pm start time most people will expect dinner.

If you're going to do this type of reception you need to do it right so your guests are well fed and happy.

@Jacks is totally spot on; this is almost never a budget keeper.....

Have you considered something later? I think if you push your wedding back to 8 your guests will be more open to passed hors d'oeurves.

No. Not eight.