How many appetizers for cocktail hour?

Not everyone eats shrimp. Can you add something else to your package?

I don't like shrimp and my husband is allergic so I would say no.

The people who do eat shrimp will more than make up for those who don't, but I think you need more than that. For starters, if they are displayed rather than passed, there will be people who take a dozen.

My general rule of thumb would be 4-6 passed hors per guest. I'd take the shrimp out and replace them with less expensive choices that can be butlered.

U need more

We have 125 people for an hour. Our apps are a fruit/veg/cheese station, and butlered shrimp cocktail, mac and cheese bites, bbq meatballs, and crab cakes. You definitely need more, and I would suggest passed in addition to stations.

More!

And remember the vegetarians; 12% of our guests chose the vegetarian entrée.

I went to a wedding that only had 3 passed hors d'oeuvres and my family was only offered one. I didn't like it, but I ate it anyway. My sister couldn't eat it (pork) and after a glass of wine, she felt sick.

We choose 3 appetizers also we are doing teriyaki chicken on a stick, bruschetta (our caterers most popular wedding app) and clams on the half shell, which my father requested. We are having a beach wedding and the dinner will be BBQ. So it is perfect for us.

I think if you have a good mix you'll be fine with 3 apps with the open bar. The open bar is what most people care about and you know your guests best. It's literally only an hour which means no one will really remember it as long as your dinner is on point.

We are doing bacon wrapped scallop, chicken Empanatas, mini crab cakes, and a mini beef wellington.

(No one is vegetarian)

I'm a vegetarian so a veggie appetizer is a must, but I'll hopefully have bread and oil, cold cuts, and fruit and cheese.

That doesn't seem like it will be enough. Try adding a few more options

I would switch out the shrimp for something more universal. Maybe a chicken item, or other meat item that's popular with you caterer.

We will likely add one more that will bring us to 9 appetizers per guest I really feel like people will not eat more than that many items before a dinner in only an hour. Also, our families love shrimp cocktail and I don't know of any guests that will actually make it that are vegetarian.

We're doing a combo of fruit and cheese.

I'm only doing 4 passed apps during cocktail hour but will also have 2 very large fruit, cheese, and veggie stations. We are serving a lot of alcohol and I don't want guests to have to drink on empty stomachs.

It is very uncommon in my area to do appetizers. So I will be no help. But talk to your caterer. See what they recommend and how many pieces they recommend per person.

Listen to Celia -- she did this for a living, quite successfully, so her numbers are on the mark.

If I attended your wedding and was offered three jumbo shrimp, I'd turn my head and pass, because the mere image of seafood makes me ill. Honestly, seafood makes me gag. No offense, but I'd be left with crackers and whatever kind of dip or spread was available, and crackers and whatever are not impressive. There are countless other apps that you can offer to your non-seafood loving guests (and believe me, there are plenty of us out there).