Need Appetizers?

Tje apps for cocktail hour is a good idea though at the cost the venue is charging you? Select 2 if that would work and the pricing to go with it.

Some venues include it in their package.

I am doing cocktail hour and then no apps! We are also doing a dinner buffet tho and will have breads and salads at each table before the buffet opens? Cocktail hour is served butler style! And then the buffet will be a variety of foods!

We are skipping the cocktail hour snacks! It's just another way for them to make money off you! Honestly, it never used to be a thing! Unless that was just my family that didn't do it!

In a normal day, I eat lunch at 12:30 and supper at 6, rarely do I snack in the afternoon so why would this day be any different? If guests get really hungry, there is a cafe nearby!

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I would totally do the same but were not allowed to have outside food

We will be going to Costco for some finger foods for the cocktail hour

I would do Apps. People are going to be hungry

View quoted message I agree with Erin. If there’s an open bar, you have to be providing food to your guests.

Really depends on your schedule. We are not, but our ceremony is at 3:30, cocktail hour is at 5, dinner is being served at 6:15. Our guests can go 2 hours and 45 minutes without eating...however, if there's more than a 3.5-4 hour break between the start of your ceremony and when dinner will be served, I would HIGHLY recommend having something for your guests. Most people will need a little something in that timeframe.

View quoted message Haha well definitely have appetizers if it is an open bar.

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Yeah, we're paying for an open bar so might as well get the most use out of it as possible, lol!

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Yes, good thinking! We are also having an open bar so I figured people would probably need something so they aren't drinking on an empty stomach!

When we picked our hors d'oeuvres I specifically chose things that would be filling - pastries, meats, rice etc. This is so A. Less is More (not as many would be needed) and B. It would fill people up before our OPEN bar!

I would say if you can find a few solid choices you won't need as much variety.

View quoted message Agreed! No need for people to be drunk before dinner.

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That was my main concern: drinking on an empty stomach!

They aren't necessary but it may be a good idea to have a few so that people aren't drinking on empty stomachs or waiting too long for dinner.

View quoted message That’s kind of what I thought too, it’s not good to offer alcohol with no food!

View quoted message As a guest, I would probably be hungry!

View quoted message Very true!

View quoted message I agree! Especially if your ceremony is around 2. I think it is important to keep your guest happy and have some apps for them in case they are hungry( Im sure some will be hungry!)

If it’s within budget, I’d say go for apps. Hungry guests can lead to grumpy guests, especially if dinner is delayed for any reason. I was at a wedding a few years ago and with speeches, late start, etc we didn’t eat until nearly nine and everyone was getting a bit hangry. Haha

I would suggest apps too. The weddings I've been to all offer something during cocktails to go with the drinks. But if it's out of your budget then I'm sure the drinks are fine. It would just be gesture your guests would appreciate. Maybe even cheese and crackers platters? We are even bringing in traditional cultural foods (with permission from our venue). So it might be cheaper going to other options.

The weddings I’ve gone to didn’t have appetizers, it’s not common in my area so I would say you could skip them but that’s just what I’m used to!

I'd suggest getting some. Otherwise you may have guests leaving to go eat and that won't make much of a good impression on them. They definitely are not necessary so if you really don't want to then don't bother. We have a similar situation but we decided to get appetizers as a courtesy thing for our guests since we will be leaving them for a bit to do photos, might as well snack lol