How many hors d'oeuvres will you have during cocktail hour?

Some one told me the rule of thumb is 3 - 4 of each hors d'oeuvres for each guest.

Yes, our venue will supply 3 hors d'oeuvres per guest (I'm guessing 100 of each kind). But I'd rather have 300 hors d'oeuvres of 5 different things, instead of 3. What did you do Candice?

We have a 150 guests and will have approx. 3-4 per guest. We selected about 4 differrent kind and will have multiple trays of those.

I had about 70 people, our venue let us choose fruit, crackers, and veggies as part of our package. I then added 300 (150 each) of mini quiches and meatballs. I think we had enough of everything. So far I haven't heard from anyone that there wasn't enough.

Is there an option to do some passed hors d'oeuvres and a platter of cheese, crackers, fruit, etc? I guess it also depends on how long your cocktail hour is (if its actually an hour or longer). I like variety but I think 3 would be enough if its just for a short time.

I don't remember exactly but I believe our venue gives us the option to choose 3 as well

I think I'm watching too many episodes of Four Weddings. The amazing venetian hours they have on the east coast are making me worry about our piddly 3 types of hors d'oeuvres.

I think we'll have plenty of hors d'oeuvres, I just wondered if it would be enough variety. As you ladies can tell, I am extremely busy at work if I have the time to think about this.

We have about 100 guests, and we are doing 4 hors d'oevures

Kerry-IMO the things they do on Four Weddings for the cocktail hour is ridiculous. I've seen like 10 different options, and then they have a dinner on top of that.

@ Kelli - I think passed are our only option, but I'll check. Our cocktail hour is only an hour. (Which is another point FH made.)

I'm wanting to make sure our guests leave the wedding stuffed, drunk, and sore from dancing.

Kerry I did the same thing and freaked out, called my venue and said I wanted to have like 500 hor d'oeuvres. My venue was like no that is way too much, lol. Those shows are over the top.

We are having only three options I think if that was all you were going to feed them you'd definitely need more but its just for the cocktail hour so they don't starve while waiting for you to finish up pictures I think it should be fine.

@Kelli M Completely off subject but everytime I see your pic I wonder, what is that behind your engagement ring?

We had a ton but they were buffet style, not passed. We splurged on the finger food because they are my favs Talk to your caterer. We sat down with ours and ordered more (4-5 per person) of what they considered their 'popular' choices and less of the ones that were more select palate options. (2-3 per person).

@Will be Mrs B - they do go overboard, but I think it's awesome. I have never been to a cocktail hour like that, but I suppose eating that much would make you uncomfortable and maybe take away from your fun. I need to make it to an east coast wedding before I die so I can experience it. LOL

@Fins - good idea! I'll do that when I meet with her again in September. I like the idea of having less of some, but more of others.

@Candice - LOL! Glad I'm not the only one getting these crazy ideas due to that show. Did you see the episode where they had the macaroni and cheese station? I want that now. Hahahaha

@ Victoria C - FH took this pic during a water break on a hike in AZ a couple days after we got engaged. Its actually Sedona red dirt with some dead looking winter shrubs. You can see it a bit better in the full pic on my profile.

Singing Diva, that is what we had there was a table with fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers and then the 2 passed. I think it worked out well. Our reception/cocktail hour started at 11:00am so I didn't want to have too much. If we had been starting later, I would have done more.

@Kelli LOL I thought it was an animal... I love Arizona , we spent many summers there but I never would have guessed thats what it was!

We are having 3... I've never been to a wedding with hor d'oeuvres so it will be a treat for our guest. Plus we will have a photobooth and a GREAT meal afterwards so I think 3 will be good.