No sit down dinner...

It would probably be best to mention to your guests that this is the type of food you're planning on so no one is expecting something else. Potentially on the invite.

We have posted this to our wedding website and are planning on including the information on our formal invitations so people are aware.

Some people will say that this is a meal time, so you need a dinner. But personally, I think as long as there's enough food, it's no problem. I prefer a cocktail style reception, and am having one myself in the same time frame. Since our reception is on the short side, we want the most amount of mingling time. I would suggest, though not doing all passed apps, but also having stations, and tell people it's a cocktail style reception so guests aren't waiting for when dinner starts. As far as the bar goes, is this a monetary limit or a drink limit per guest? Either way, I would find this confusing as a guest.

Since your wedding will be over a meal time, you need to have enough food for a full meal. With apps, this usually ends up being more food and more expensive because people often need to eat more of them to feel full. If it's just for the atmosphere rather than cost saving, go for it. Just make sure you still have enough seating for everyone, enough food, and opt for some more substantial apps/stations

Since this is a normal length reception, at a meal time, people will be expecting a meal. If you want to do appetizers, they will need to be substantial enough to satiate everyone for the duration of the reception. What do you mean by certain number of drinks? Will each guest have a drink limit? Will they have drink tickets? Cash bars and ticket systems are typically frowned upon.

A cocktail style reception really adds up over a meal time as you need enough food for a meal. Price itcout first. And just do beer and wine for the whole night.

Just make sure they have more then enough appetizers! Otherwise a) you will have a lot of drunk people or b) people will leave to get food

That is during dinner.. for me to be a place for 4 hours and only have appetizers and cake... I would not stay very long.

Also, is there not going to be a cash bar?

Your reception will end very quickly..

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This. Every butt needs a chair. Don't expect everyone to want to stand that long, especially eating. Make sure you have PLENTY of food for people to feel full, if you want to save money you should go the traditional dinner route. Will you have music? Your bar situation is confusing. Are you doing a consumption bar, or putting down a certain amount of money and when that money runs out it flips to cash?

Have a consumption bar instead of a cash bar. Don't have a cash bar. You will seem cheap to your guest by not providing a full meal during dinner time AND a cash bar.

One of the venues I was looking at said a wedding they had just done had this type of reception and the guests were looking for more food. So, just make sure you have enough and a variety.

I agree with others that if you want to do it this way you’re probably going to spend about the same as to just provide a sit down meal. But if it’s what you wanted then do it 😊

I see nothing wrong with serving a bunch of appetizers in lieu of a dinner; however, I think you need to have some sort of alcohol (such as beer and wine) available for your guests to have all night. Cash bars are tacky IMO, and your reception should be a way to "thank" your guests for attending the ceremony. Making them pay for their own drinks is essentially making them pay for their "thank you".

This can be done, if it's done right. I would suggest plenty of passed apps, and a few stations as well, maybe a carving station? Also, make sure there is a seat for every person. Not everyone can stand for that long before having to sit down. I know I last about 90 minutes due to back issues. As for the bar, try and see if you can host just beer and wine, which is generally cheaper than having liquor, or do a consumption bar. Please dont make your guests pay for any part of your reception.

I would put on the invite that there will only be appetizers and dessert and maybe even shorten the time frame. Are there going to be tables? I'd definitely get chairs so everyone can sit if they want to. And definitely consider not changing the bar from open to cash, some people consider that rude

Make sure the appetizers are substantial. Crab cakes, steak skewers, mini chicken kebabs, mini sandwiches/burgers... etc. Note "Heavy Appetizer"s on your invite or wedding website so people are not expecting a full dinner.

Also - everyone needs somewhere to sit.

You need to have heavy appetizers and free alcohol all night long. If you only have light appetizers and a cash bar, guests will leave early, probably when the bar switches to cash. They'll go looking for real food and cheaper drinks.

You will need to have enough appetizers to fill everyone up, as that's dinnertime.

I think this is a perfectly fine idea. My cousin had tables with seating arrangements and served heavy appetizers and it was fine. My only problem was we weren't told it was just appetizers, so we kept not eating a lot so we didn't get full for dinner. I'd just make sure people know the appetizers are the dinner. A stationary food option is always good too, even if it's just veggies or fruit. I think it's for sure a less traditional, more modern vibe but if you think that fits well with your crowd then I would do it. I'd still have plenty of places to sit and eat though.

I love appetizers, but people will be hungry and can't really eat before or after so you need to make sure there is enough food for a meal. Otherwise people will leave early.

Definitely, you need seats for everyone. I would leave if you expected me to stand for four hours.