No appetizers before reception :-(

I would probably be hungry. Make sure you have plenty of nuts and mints out on the tables!

Are you having a cocktail hour? Assuming your ceremony ends by 3:30, if people have an 1 to 1.5 hours to just drink without food, that could cause some drunkeness. And if I had to find my own food before dinner, I wouldn't bother coming to dinner, but that's just me.

I don't think it's a good idea to have the bar open before the reception, especially without food. Reenski is right about people getting drunk just sitting around without anything else to do. Can you see if they would compromise and put out a fruit or veggie tray and just do the bar from 5:00 onward?

If you are planning on having salad served with the dinner, can you see if they will put the salad bar out early?

Is your ceremony and reception at the same venue? If so, I agree with the other ladies. I would not open the bar without food. If the two places are in the same venue, just go right into introductions and the meal being served.

If the ceremony and reception are at different locations, how long is the drive? I would begin the reception as soon as you can to that time.

Good luck!

I agree with starting the bar at 5.

I wouldn't have the bar open with no food. People will be hungry and drinking+not eating=drunk people!

No worries! You do not need apps!

I would be very hungry.....you definitely need something if you are going to have the bar open....you can have like a cheese and cracker, vegetable, and fruit tray - nothing too big but something for the guests while they drink - if you can't have that then no bar until reception time

That may be a bad combo because of the alcohol. I would try to find a veggie tray or something cheap.

I think there is just so much pressure placed on the bride and groom; as an adult I always eat prior to going to any event so if I had to wait 2 hours until the reception I wouldn't " starve".

Don't place yourself in debt over appetizers

Why can't you switch your wedding for 4pm.

I wouldn't worry about not having appetizers... I always eat before going to a wedding reception because half the time the food at the wedding isn't very good, or the meal gets delayed due to pictures running long or something else.

Start everything at 5:00. Don't have alcohol without food. Do the ceremony at 4:00, go right to cocktails, maybe with some simple hors d'oeuvre trays and then dinner.

I wasnt going to have appetizers either but then I knew since we are getting married on a Friday that some people are just coming straight from work and wouldnt have time to grab a bite to eat. So since we are having mexican food we are having mini Ceviches, mini tacos, and chip and salsa. Nothing extravagent.

Will your venue let you provide your own snacks for cocktail hour? You could probably do it for much less and stick to simple things like fruit, veggie, and cheese trays? If not, maybe at least try for some pretzels or trail mix?

If you're ceremony and reception are at two different places, I wouldn't worry about it as much. No need to stress your budget even more just for that. Just start the reception right before dinner is going to be served. People can use the break in between to grab food on their own if they need to.

PS - I'm getting married in Michigan too! Where is your venue?

I would be hungry and looking for food especially if the drinks are flowing for more than an hour.

I also agree with maybe moving your reception time to later. People will definitely be looking for food, especially if they see that there is an open bar. I think that's the only way to cut costs so that people aren't slamming drinks for an hour.

Maybe if you asked the venue if they could do a cheese and fruit tray near the bar for snacking. It never hurts to ask, good luck.

And I would be hungry and slightly drunk so it could be a good time!

I don't suggest movin the ceremony back & immediately startin the reception directly afterwards because u need time 4 photos (this is the purpose of a cocktail hour). If you are interested in taking photos prior the wedding you can then immediately go to reception from the ceremony. I am against only servicing drinks because provokes guest to get drunk prior dinner (disaster waiting 2 happen). Unlike some, every1 does not eat prior a wedding. Although I recommend including a cocktail hour, I can relate when u mention the word budget. I likes Andrea's idea (cheese, crackers & fruit) limit the bar hours and use the $4 light snacks. Otherwise, you r adding a huge distraction 4 guest, some will be bored this is enough to make 1 reconsider traveling, just go home or show up late. I believe as a Bride & Groom (sometime u should put yourself in guest shoes, not often). Would u like to sit around for an hour w/ nothing to do, nowhere to go if u preferred not to drink b4 eatin, if u drink?

I would rather go and not have apps then to not have booze..but thats just me..if you cant afford both then i think you made the wiser choice..I know alot of places wont allow you to bring your own apps in..so if its a matter of budget i get it..and its not like they wont have dinner. where in Michigan are you from?..i am from Grand Rapids!