Post # 1
Member
246 posts
Helper bee
My apologies if this has already been asked on here (I did a quick search and couldn’t find anything!). We’re doing a sit-down plated dinner reception for our wedding in October. On the RSVP cards, we’re just planning on putting Chicken, Beef or Vegetarian as the options, and then on the menus at the reception we’ll list each dish in more detail. My question is, what should we do in terms of appetizers? We’re having a cocktail hour with passed and stationed apps. Since the guests won’t be entering the main reception area until after cocktail hour is over, should we not bother including apps on the menu, since they’ll already have eaten them? Or should the menu reflect everything being served that evening? Any feedback would be appreciated!
Post # 2
Member
1495 posts
Bumble bee
kmott09 : We didn’t list what apps we were serving during the cocktail hour because the guests did not enter the main reception area until after cocktail hour. We had a plated 5 course dinner and each of those options was listed on the menu.
Post # 3
Member
3452 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: September 2017 - Poppy Ridge Golf Course
This is an interesting question. I have no answer but I’m curious. We have the full menu listed on our website. As a guest I don’t recall ever seeing appetizers listed on the menu for a plated dinner since I wasn’t seated until after I had appetizers. Not doing menus at the reception bc there’s only one of three options to choose from and those are listed when guests RSVP so they know their meal choice before arriving.
Post # 4
Member
9224 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
we only put what was served at the reception, not the cocktail hour.
salad
main (we listed the 3 choices)
accompaniments
dessert
Post # 5
Member
6917 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I would leave them off. I dont see the point in listing them somewhere they won’t see them until after theyve already eaten them.
If you want to include on the RSVP something like “passed h’orderves and cocktails followed by dinner” you could. But thats about all I would do.
Post # 6
Member
5862 posts
Bee Keeper
jellybellynelly : This is a good idea.
OP is it possible to give just a little more detail on the RSVP cards? I realize space is limited but just a few more words for each option btw Chicken Beef or Vegetarian, because that might influence the choices – for example if you’re serving Chicken Marsala, some guests will love this while others may like chicken but not in a marsala sauce and decide to go with the beef. Or you may get someone choose beef then read the menu and be thinking ‘aww I love chicken marsala, if I knew it was this I would have ticked off chicken. And I’m not a vegetarian but I sometimes prefer the vegetarian mains….
Post # 7
Member
246 posts
Helper bee
RobbieAndJuliahaha : That’s a good idea! Some of the menu descriptions provided by the venue are pretty long, but I can see if I can shorten them down without cluttering up the RSVP card.
Post # 8
Member
2523 posts
Sugar bee
No point since they won’t see it. I say no.
Post # 9
Member
388 posts
Helper bee
Are the guests choosing their food ahead of time or at the reception? If it’s ahead of time, I would just skip menu cards. We had a menu card for the table but we had stations. So we wanted people to be able to plant their attack, lol. But if they’ve already chosen their food, listing them out in detail might just bum people out about their choice.
Post # 10
Member
681 posts
Busy bee
It would be strange to include them if folks have already eaten them before seeing the menu.
Post # 11
Member
246 posts
Helper bee
GearBride : They’re choosing their menu option ahead of time, but since we’re having a formal event we like the idea of menu cards to go with the formal dinner. Plus I know that I’ve been to a few weddings where I couldn’t remember what I had selected because we had sent the RSVP card back months ago!
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