Hors D'oeuvres for Cocktail 'hour'

I would still do more than one as it is still an hour between when the ceremony ends and when the meal is actually served. The meal is also only starting at 12:30, but that isn't when the last person will get their meal.

Could you just do a grazing table of fruits, veggies and cheese? For such a short time I see what you’re saying but at the same time if you’re gonna do passed apps I think you need at least two - one meat option and one vegetarian option.

Hi there! I would recommend serving hors d'oeuvres. Maybe do a fruit tray or cheese and crackers just to keep it simple and offer something?

I am in a similar boat . Our ceremony is at 4pm. Cocktail 4:30 and dinner at 5.
I don’t think we need the appetizers but my traditional mother would like them .
i think you don’t need them

I'm having a similar debate!

We initially had several hors d'oeuvres planned, but I think we're scaling down to just crackers and cheese. (The ceremony will be around 4:30 and cocktail hour will be a full hour, from around 5-6; then we're having a full buffet dinner. My venue serves light refreshments before the ceremony -- water, lemonade, tea, and cookies -- so I'm hoping cheese & crackers will be enough to hold everyone over.)

Personally I would say you could probably skip them, since it's only 30 minutes and you'll have people finding their seats and settling in during that time. I think IF you are going to serve them, you should have more than one choice available. Can you do a cheese and fruit station instead of passed hors d'oeuvres?

If you want to save a little money perhaps a fruit tray and cheese and crackers would work. It’s not very long and it’s early in the day.

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Thank you, I'm thinking the same but hoping there is a way to save!

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Unfortunately, the grazing tables are more expensive! We don't have any vegetarians on our guest list, but I appreciate the input. Right now I'm thinking one savory and the fruit.

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The fruit station and/or cheese station is significantly higher in cost than the passed hors d'oeuvres. We can't bring outside food, either!

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Thank you for the feedback! I haven't asked family for input yet; I'm sure they'll say have something!

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The fruit station and/or cheese station is significantly higher in cost than the passed hors d'oeuvres. We can't bring outside food, either!

View Quoted Comment I would look for other ways to safe rather than having less food for your guests to enjoy.

View Quoted Comment Well that's definitely a bummer and rather surprising! If it's any consolation, I personally prefer passed hors d'oeuvres to grazing stations!

If you are serving alcohol, I say appetizers are a must. We were at a wedding last night with an open bar but no appetizers. We were starving by the time dinner came.

Since it sounds like they have a lot of Italian options, could they do an antipasto station? We’ve had that for several events (for my job) and it works really well.

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I agree with this 100%. If there is alcohol at cocktail hour (oh, I hope so!), there needs to be some kind of food, even at 11:30 am. It can be crackers and cheese, but I think there needs to be something.

It is so close the end and you come in you can do with out. People will be getting drink and mingle and if u add the food then it’s so short that it’s not worth it. Plus If tables are assigned people they will be finding where that is at

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Yes, we are serving alcohol, beer & wine. We will likely opt for two varieties. Thank you for the feedback!

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Thank you! We will likely have two varieties. We are hosting an open beer and wine bar.