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Beginner September 2018

Salsa bar during cocktail hour setup??

Christin , on May 17, 2018 at 2:36 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 13

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I’m looking for suggestions with the salsa bar that we will be having during cocktail hour.

Background:
Cocktail hour will be 30-40 minutes immediately following short ceremony.
Guest count about 125.
Will be outside (weather permitting of course)
guests will be standing/mingling
there will be some benches if guests want to sit.
there will be bistro tables
there will be margaritas (and other drinks)
Chips and a variety of salsas provided by our caterer

how would you suggest serving the chips/salsa.
I am thinking plates are a bit tough, with salsa/chips in one hand and a drink in the other-that’s challenging.

somebody suggested having the chips and salsa at all the bistro tables which could create a better environment for mingling. Plus, then guests would only need to stand in line for drinks. Standing in line once is always better than having to wait in two lines. 😊

do you have any suggestions? Or if you had chips/salsa bar how did you serve it, did it work well?

Thank you!

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Christin , on May 17, 2018 at 5:57 PM

Master May 2017
Mrs.Whooooo · on May 17, 2018 at 2:40 PM
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Are chips and salsa all you’re having?
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Beginner September 2018
Christin · on May 17, 2018 at 2:45 PM
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Yes, only chips and salsa. There will be 4 or 5 salsas including guacamole.

Dinner will be a catered taco bar.
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Champion December 2017
earias · on May 17, 2018 at 2:58 PM
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I'm having a hard time visualizing how it would work with the chips and salsa set up on the bistro tables so that 125 guests would have easy access to them. Bistro tables are usually pretty small. Plus, salsa is messy and drips. I would have plates and napkins for everyone and just have plenty of tables for people to set their drinks down and/or sit.
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VIP September 2018
Happy Hedgie · on May 17, 2018 at 3:22 PM
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I'm having trouble imagining this setup. Salsa and chips is messy and I think it would be hard to eat it while mingling or with a drink in hand.
Can you set up a buffet almost and have plates (and lots of napkins) at the start of the line and then put out the chips and different types of salsa on a long table for guests to serve themselves? I'd ensure that there is lots of seating/tables available so guests can fill their plate and then find a place to sit and eat.
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Beginner September 2018
Christin · on May 17, 2018 at 3:43 PM
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I totally understand that chips and salsa are messy, but that is what we want to provide.

i already have plates (they seem too small) and lots of napkins.

Im just asking for suggestions. Im more than willing to hear what people may or may not like, but some things are set in stone:

the bistro tables or pub height tables are happening.
we will not be providing chairs.

I could get more tables, but I cant afford 125 extra chairs for guests for only 30 minutes.

Thanks!
I do like your idea, happy hedgie. That was our original idea, but just wasnt sure if it would work.
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on May 17, 2018 at 3:46 PM
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So no guests will have anywhere to sit for the cocktail time? What about guests who have mobility issues and can’t stand for 30 minutes? As far as the salsa, I’d do it buffet style with good size plates so people can choose more than one if they want.
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Beginner September 2018
Christin · on May 17, 2018 at 3:58 PM
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I can have a variety, so there are couches/comfy chairs. And then I could use a couple shorter tables, and then multiple bistro style. Similar
to the photo I attached.
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Master July 2018
Mcskipper · on May 17, 2018 at 4:37 PM
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You’ll definitely need plates, probably the bigger the better— id opt for a ‘salad’ sized one instead of a ‘appetizer’ sized one, and then just make sure there’s plenty of table space for people to stand around and rest their drinks on while they eat
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Beginner September 2018
Christin · on May 17, 2018 at 4:44 PM
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That’s probdbly a good idea. Thank you 😀
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VIP January 2019
NVV2B · on May 17, 2018 at 5:02 PM
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Is there wait staff? Can you have the tables set up with chips, and then salsa served in the little bowls like they do at restaurants? Then have the wait staff go around and refill them? Maybe have little spoons in the bowls so people can dish some on to a plate if they prefer?

I know if I was at this wedding, I would find a table and my family/friends would claim it so we wouldnt mind sharing the salsa bowls, that would be a bit weird for people that do not know each other though so thats why I think you might want some spoons in the bowls for people that want to dish out their own serving.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on May 17, 2018 at 5:32 PM
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Do you have tables for people? Could they serve it in a singular way, maybe the scoop chips with salsa or queso or guacamole in them already?
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Devoted July 2018
RH912 · on May 17, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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I agree. Because of the variety of dips, it would be harder to do the setup per table unless you did the platters that have multiple wells for the different types of dip.
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Beginner September 2018
Christin · on May 17, 2018 at 5:57 PM
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That makes sense. Thank you!! Probably should stick to a buffet style.
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