How Much for the Horderves?

Sounds on target for what I've seen in my area (Orange County, CA). A lot of venues here include it in their overall price though.

And from what I understand it's good to figure 2-3 hor d'oeuvres per person.. (scary I know)

To be completely honest with you, it doesn't sound very high to me at all. My cocktail hour is included in my total price so I don't really have a basis for comparison, but things like meat carving stations or pasta stations are usually between $5-$10 per person, so all things considered, $3.25pp doesn't sound too bad...but I guess it depends on where you live, because the range of prices/costs varies pretty greatly depending on location.

Well, it's pp per passed appetizer, and if I have at least 3 (like crackers with a fancy cheese is the cheap one and two medium priced ones at 4.75 pp (a mini quiche), the costs go way over 1k. Stations are only offered for the meal and start at 10 per person, and we were thinking three (so 30 per person) and then sides (10 per person).

It's a hard decision to make...but it all depends on what is important to you. Some other things to consider: What time is the ceremony, how long is it, how much time between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception... the more time in between the hungrier people will be. Also consider what you are serving for dinner---if it's a light meal or heavier.

The prices you quoted sound pretty realistic, especially for "passed" appetizers...after all, you are paying a portion of the wages for the staff, in addition to the food.

"after all, you are paying a portion of the wages for the staff, in addition to the food. " There is an additional 20% service charge to all the food and beverages.

Mine ranges from $1.75-$3.50 for passed, and $4.35-$6.00 for displayed.

The more expensive ones are like poached prawns, Portobello Mushroom puffs, Chocolate covered Strawberries, Smoked Salmon display with a bunch of crap... etc.

So the expensive stuff is icky stuff we don't even like lol.

We're having deep fried ravioli which is like $1.95 pp.

That's in Northern California though...

The price sounds about right but ours is included in the venue price.

Sounds about right. Ours is included in our venue package. You may want to talk to your venue and see if they would be willing to give you an all inclusive package, which could lower your costs a bit more. Had we done piece-by-piece (dinner, passed appetizers, alcohol, dessert), vs the package (which includes all that plus cake), our price would have been 1K higher.