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Reba4824
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| It's not tacky, I've seen this done without a problem. Although the time of day may be difficult because people would be expecting a meal. What you might want to do is see if you can schedule your reception later in the afternoon, that way people can leave the ceremony get lunch relax and then meet you at the reception. Your invitations should state "join us at x following the ceremony for a cocktail and hors d'oeves reception" so people know what you are planning. |
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LINDAC
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| No, not if that is what you can afford. You shouldn't go out of your way and put yourself in debt just because a lot of people are coming. If they really care about you they aren't just coming for the food. You should think about after the wedding and the money y'all will need to live on and you will realise that it doesn't matter what you feed the guests. Hope this helps! |
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pinky01216287
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| It depends on if the ceremony starts at 11 or the reception. If it's the ceremony, the reception will hit at lunch time and people might want a bit more to eat. If the reception is at 11, it might be OK...but no guarantees since the reception will take them through the lunch time. I think for that menu, maybe a 2:00-3:00 start time for the reception would be perfect. People will come to the ceremony with full tummy's from lunch and just want to snack. Whatever you decide, be sure to mention on the invites that it won't be a full meal. You could say "hors'd oeuvre reception immediately following" or something to that effect. A 3K difference is a lot of money, so do what is right for your budget. As long as you let your guests know about the food, they will be happy to celebrate with you and your family! |
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Kitikat
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| I think it's fine, I have never understood where the trend started that the bride and groom had to feed a full meal to the people who come to share in their special day. What ever happened to people actually eating before the wedding and the reception just having cake, mints,nuts and punch? Just remember the wedding is one day, a few hours..the marriage is what needs to last a life time, ask yourself what could be done with that extra money, put a down payment on a house, a car..invest it in a nest egg. |
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winter_spice782515
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| No it is not tacky. However many people feel it is since you don't want to do the same thing they are, which is considered scandalous. In many cases, hors d'oeurves are actually the same price or more expensive than the full meal. Unless all you serve is cheese platters and finger sandwiches, most are hearty enough that guests can easily fill up on them and make a full meal out of them. I have never been to any wedding that served more than cake and a few desserts on the side, so I would definitely not feel cheated or starved by your menu. If someone is offended by it then they can choose to stay home.Since the wedding is at 11am so the reception will be around 12, your menu is very generous for that hour. If you look at any lunch menu when you go out to eat somewhere, it isn't near as heavy, hearty or large (in quantity) as a dinner menu, but how many folks do you actually hear after them eating lunch say "I was so ripped off by that place since I'm still starving"? None. If your guests go hungry at lunchtime from your selections, that is their own fault, not yours. |
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sarah3580
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| I'm just doing that for my wedding, I don't think it's tacky. Having no food to offer is tacky. It's your reception you are paying for it, you should be able to choose. If you know that the people are attending will enjoy what you have, I see nothing wrong with it. |
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SamanthaB
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| if it were much later in the evening it could work, but since the reception is scheduled at a meal time, they expect a meal.try cutting costs by serving one main entree, like a brunch setting and then have a few hor's doeuvres.since it is sunday afternoon, you don't necessarily have to do a full meal, since it's not that far from breakfast, but to not have any type of entree when it's lunch time would be a bit odd.unless, on your invitation you could put the menu on your reception to follow card. this would let guests know what options are available (if they have kids, special diets, etc) and it lets them know that there will not be a full meal, so they should eat a larger breakfast. it's not completley unheard of to include menu in invitations, but you may have already sent those out.best of luck! |
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MichelleJ
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| That time of day, I don't think it's tacky at all. I would make a comment on the invitation to imply that a full meal won't be served (although, I certainly wouldn't be expecting a big meal at lunch time if I were a guest). I know there's a tactful way to say something about that on the invitation, though I don't know what that would be. |
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holmeskaykay6035
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| It's not tacky at all to have just hors'd oeures for your reception. Just make sure you specify on the invitations that it's an hors'd oeures reception only. This way guests will already know not to expect a full buffet or sit down meal. Although your wedding is at a sticky time period of the day. If your wedding starts at 11am then it's safe to say that your reception would start a noon or by 12:30pm. In that case it's lunch time and guests would expect more of a lunch reception. If your wedding took place later in the day say around 4pm or 5pm then you easily could get away with it being a cocktail reception with plenty of hors' d oeurves. Make sure you go heavy on your hors' d oeurves so there is plenty to go around. If you have enough of a selection and plenty of it guests will go away feeling that they had enough to eat even if it's not a buffet or sit down meal. If your budget allows another great idea is to have a Venetian table or dessert table. In addition to your wedding cake you can serve tarts, petit fours, cookies and shooter cups with mousses or puddings. A nice mix of both the savory and the sweet items will keep everyone full and satisfied. Good Luck with your wedding and congratulations! |
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April
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| Personally, I think that it is a great idea. I don't understand why people seem to think that it has to be a sit down meal. I've been to many weddings that are just cake and champagne. I live in the North East (U.S) and have recently found out through many friends that live in the South that our big sit down meals for receptions are just as cake or finger foods in the South (not saying this is true for all Southerners, just the ones I know personally have said this)- which I found fascinating. I think a lot of it has to do with cultural differences, regional differences, and the preference of the couple getting married. I say that you do what makes you happy. I know people like to have nice weddings and want to have great memories, as well as their guests too, but food doesn't create the memories or the great time, in my opinion. It is about the union of two people. Save the money for something better. |
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missR1684
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| I suggest you not having the reception run through the lunch hour - however more of a 2-5 type of thing - but considering you already have your venue set (i assume) then yes, i would def. be starving simply because it runs through lunch time. ON THE OTHER HAND, it's a great way to save money, I would just suggest to add a few other hors'd oeuvres - something more filling and if you're able to add a raw seafood table - this would def. compensate (in my eyes). This would just be a cocktail that you'd be having - just make sure you specify on your invitation such as: Cocktails and XXX to follow (work on the wording)will you be having open bar? |
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MissRed6479
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| Actually, this is what I wanted to do. But after speaking with many caterers, they told me it would cost me 40-50% more due to the fact the hors d'ouerves require more expensive food and more manual labor to assemble. I thought it would make for a better atmosphere, but my caterer said it would just make people heap plates full of foods that shouldn't be eaten that way and stand in line just like a buffet. After much consideration we opted for another route. But I like the idea for maybe the bridal shower? But I think you will see you will save money not serving only hore d'ouerves. Hope this helps and good luck! |
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Lyra
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| I think it's nice. It all depends on how much money you have at your disposal. I have very limited funds, and we're just putting on a BBQ for our guests. We would have liked to have a sit down meal, but we've accepted that it can never happen. I also think that, looking thruogh your list, your family could help you make some of those things. Fruit salads are very easy, and finger sandwiches can be made by EVERYONE. It's definitely worth looking into, even if it only saves you a couple of hundred dollars. Good luck! |
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nytengayle13
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| I am doing the exact same thing!! I am getting married at 4:30 pm and having a cocktail buffet catered. There will be plenty of food for every one and I doubt they will go away hungry! We were going to have 65 guests and spend $3500 on a full dinner. We changed it to 33 guests and are spending $650 on this buffet. We do have to pay for plates and things like that, but it has saved us tons of money! |
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KMONEY8319750
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: Is it tacky just to serve Hors'd oeuvres at my reception? |
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| It's okay aslong as your wedding is not near a meal time, 11am is luchtime so people will expect food. |
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