Post # 1
Member
407 posts
Helper bee
Okay, I want to know if this is okay.
I’m getting married on a Friday night, with the ceremony to begin at 4:30. (I realize not everyone will be able to attend, but logistically this was the best I could do). I would like to have a cocktail hour to follow, though it probably won’t be the full hour – maybe 40 minutes. (I’m doing a first-look and having all of the bridal party pictures done and reserving the time after the ceremony to do photos with family). At the reception (to begin around 5:30ish), there will be a ton of food options. (FMIL is paying for the food and insisted on having an abundance of choices for guests).
So, my question is if it is okay to just have an Italian Antipasto Meat and Cheese Platter and Veggies with dip (enough for all the guests)? Should I add more choices? I didn’t want to spend a lot on cocktail hour since there will be so much food a short time later. (Note: This is a dry wedding since it will take place in a park). What do you think?
Post # 3
Member
153 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: May 2013 - The bride's hometown United Methodist Church near Kalamazoo
As long as you have enough for the guests and have it on multiple trays (so you don’t have all your guests crowded around one tray) and also have something to drink (doesn’t need to be alcohol–I’m having a dry wedding too!–but at least plenty of water/punch/juice) I think just having those choices are fine for cocktail hour since I’m assuming you’re having a full dinner afterwards. Sometimes I feel like there’s SO many choices at cocktail hour that I fill up there and dinner is wasted!
Post # 4
Member
1684 posts
Bumble bee
I think that sounds perfect! (Also, I’d recommend adding a pole)
Post # 5
Member
107 posts
Blushing bee
I don’t see any problem with the food choices you’re offering, especially if there will be much more choice at the reception following. I would advise you not to call it a cocktail hour however, as the word “cocktail” implies alcohol. People may be surprised and a little upset to find out there is no booze.
Post # 6
Member
12 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: May 2013 - Davis Island Garden Club
I think that it completely resonable to serve this. Like Miss Bat said, what’s the point of stuffing your guests full of food so they don’t enjoy the main course?
Post # 7
Member
2162 posts
Buzzing bee
I think it depends on what you and your guests are used to. If I went to a cocktail hour with the food you described, I’d be a little confused because in my experience, cocktail hour is the best food at the wedding and usually full of delicious delicacies (sp?). If your guests are used to what you described, then go for it. I know I’ve been busy rushing around for weddings and thought I didn’t have to bother eating because cocktail hour is usually so jam packed with food. I think it’s all relative.
Post # 8
Member
407 posts
Helper bee
@WantToBeM.E.: I’ve never been to a wedding with a cocktail hour – people just don’t have them. I mean, in my area, the “Catholic gap” is a common practice, so I feel even offering food before dinner would be a pleasant surprise.
Post # 9
Member
2162 posts
Buzzing bee
@futuremrsndl: I agree about the Catholic gap thing-most friends of mine who get married in a church have had their ceremonies around 3, then their cocktail hour & reception starts around 6. For any place we looked for our venue, CH was included in our package the same as the cake, apps, and dinner, so it must be a regional type of thing.
Post # 10
Member
1399 posts
Bumble bee
@futuremrsndl: Sounds lovely!
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