Meal Decision

If you're going to have a meal time reception, you should serve a meal. Just because you don't want to eat in your dress doesn't mean that your guests have to be hungry. If you're set on serving charcuterie boards, maybe you could consider having your wedding at a non-meal time, like 2pm-5pm. If the date on your profile is accurate, I'm not sure that this style of catering will be possible given the current global pandemic. Most people won't be comfortable eating off of an open table where however many people have touched and breathed on the food.

As someone who has hosted many events and looking at the picture above, I think I would lean towards one of two things.... heavy appetizers and you can still have the cheese board, etc. but when you mentioned you're having an open bar and looking at that picture, it's a recipe for drunk driving (those options in the picture would barely keep anyone sober). Or a full sit-down / buffet style.

You could compromise with your mom and do BBQ style hors dourves. Also, just a thought, you said you only have one caterer in your area, check out this option, (ezcater.com) - I've used them for several events across the US in small towns and big cities and many of the caterers will deliver 100s of miles. It may give you a better selection.

Good luck with your decision.

If your wedding is occurring during a meal time, you will need to provide a full meal. Just a snack tray won't be sufficient for a full evening with an open bar. If you are anxious about eating a full meal in your wedding dress, I would just only eat what you feel comfortable with. But provide your guest with a full meal.

A lot of people just do heavy appetizers instead of meals but they do it in times where no one expects a meal. so i do think for your timing you need some more substantial options

Hi Mac! I have been to a few weddings that did something like this and they were great! Super fun, interactive, approachable, and very cocktail-party-esque. At most, they had a charcuterie spread + some "heavier" appetizers served to soak up the booze, if-you-will. So, I think sort of a balance of some heavier bites + your charcuterie spread would be lovely!

This isn't about your guests drinking to excess. This is about not serving people enough food to constitute a full meal during dinnertime (and cheese and crackers and salami does not equal a full meal, no matter how artfully arranged).

Even if you prefer not to eat in fancy clothes, your guests will still be hungry for dinner at dinnertime. I agree with the suggestions to move your wedding to 2:00 pm and have it end by 5:00 pm if you are against serving a meal.

Very well said!

If you want to serve only apps, I definitely recommend moving your reception time so you can do a "cake and punch" reception. Then people won't expect to be fed a full meal. Otherwise, I do think people might be hungry at your reception. If you're worried about eating BBQ in your dress could you do apps and BBQ so you get the best of both worlds?

I think this is definitely a doable idea and if that's what you want, go for it! I think it'll just be confusing for people given a 6pm-9pm timeframe and would work better at mid-afternoon. People won't eat dinner beforehand, so they'll drink on an empty stomach and then not get "real" food. Maybe it'll work if you have strict limits from the bartenders to prevent people from getting too drunk?

If not doing changing time to a little earlier or making sure to indicate on your invites for people to eat a big lunch/early dinner.

Then don't worry about it, but if you stay that 6-9pm. I would give guest something a little more substantial, than cheese, crackers, meat and fruit. if there's any drinking involved, people might need a little more in their tummy's. It could be in small portions as well. buffet/family style individual tables. a

Also, if the anxiety comes with you eating then don't eat. no needs to worry. most brides and grooms are so busy they don't have time. You can also just schedule things while others may be snacking, so the pressure isn't there for you to feel that you need to eat.