Weddingbee boards

Depending on the type of appetizers you're having and how many (4 different types vs. 6 different types, etc.), this actually seems reasonable.  A lot of times you think you'll get a better deal with appetizers and depending on whether you do heavy or light, sometimes you end up paying as much as you would for a sit down meal.

Considering that the total is just for food, and no alcohol, it does seem a bit high.  How many appetizers are being served? If you have 10, and cut it down to 5 - it would still be a good selection and probably much cheaper!

I was interested in having a cocktail style reception but my venue told me that the cost would be more than having a seated dinner.  Basically they assumed guests would be eating equivalent to a meal so the cost for appetizers was a lot more than the cost of appetizers during a traditional cocktail hour.  For example, if guests normally ate 6 individual appetizers during cocktail hour, they would eat 12-18 pieces during a cocktail reception (it's longer, guests won't be getting other food, etc).  It costs more because it's passed, takes time to prepare, etc.  They also warned that guests eat even more if you don't have it passed and it's on a table or station (apparently guests feel more inhibited about taking handfuls of everything when there is someone watching them do it).  You should receive a breakdown of the costs though.