Should we have finger food at the reception?

Question

I know it's my day and my decision (along with my fiance) but I was just looking for some advice. Our wedding is a week from today. (That means the Saturday after Thanksgiving) We aren't really expecting more than fifty people due to the holiday weekend and such. Currently the reception will have cake and punch and is more of a meet and greet. My mom and I were thinking of making a little finger food. Nothing complex. Mostly just heat and eat stuff. (Little weinies, mini quiches, veggie tray etc. - finger food you can buy at Sam's (Costco) and requires very little prep time) Do you think that's a good idea? We have plenty of time to get this done so that's not a problem...a few people more than willing to help as well....

Obviously we won't buy much and will honestly hope to run out so there are no left overs to deal with. But with such a small crowd is it even worth it or would cake and punch be enough - especially since the invite said "Cake and Punch Reception"?

Although I appreciate your support and encouragement, I'm not really looking for answers like..."It's your wedding do what you want...." I'd more appreciate advice on the practicallity of the idea. Those who had finger food, did the guests enjoy it...was it more of a hassle than anything...is it worth it for me given I don't expect that many people (and had no rsvp)

Answer 1

A medium variety of snacks would be very nice, figure on 3 to 5 little tidbits per person... so soon after Thanksgiving, I think most folks will be a bit relieved not to see great mountains of food but a bit of a nibble to tide them until they get home would be welcome.

Answer 2

I've been to several weddings that have had appetizers from Costco and they went over very well. But 90% of the weddings I have attended have been cake and punch only, which everyone loved. Based on that, I think either is a great idea. I know that many people would rather not any reception than to have appetizers and/or cake instead of a full dinner and those same people would never attend one of their own accord, but that's their loss. Some people you won't be able to please no matter how hard you try and it's not worth the headache of trying to please them. I have never been to a wedding that served a full dinner so that would be a huge shock to most people I know if they were to attend one.

Honestly though, you are better off to get slightly too much and have leftovers than to run out. But since you are planning to have appetizers in addition to cake, you need to change the wording because it is no longer just cake and punch. Say something like "Please join us immediately afterwards for light refreshments".

Answer 3

I also got married on the Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada
and had about 50 people as well just some family and close friends. We had it at the hotel I worked at and had a bunch of appetizers rather then a big sit down meal. This worked well because it allowed people to mingle and have some munchies.
I would say that to have a little snack other then cake and punch would go over well I have a 90 yr old Grampa on my wifes side and he said it was the best reception he had been to. If there are going to be older people coming consider playing some nice classical music in the background just to add some ambience.

God Bless and Good luck in your future.

Answer 4

Something to nibble on is a fine idea, but along with that idea is work. Are you going to have time? If you do and have plently of help then do a some of things you suggested. For the most part everyone, especially the wedding party, is so busy getting ready for the wedding that lunch is forgotten or simply don't have time with all the preperations.

I have found the wedding parties first meal of a wedding is most likely at the reception, unless you have a big wedding breakfast. At my daughter's wedding, we served a dinner only because it was a trip to the spot she exchanged vows at. And then the guests had a 4 and 1/2 hour trip back home. If you have plently of people to help, I would suggest that you do a few finger foods. You could have some finger sandwichs, crockpot those weines, in another buy meatballs and pour spaghtetti sauce on them. Fruit trays are real popular too.

Be sure to have someone fix you and your groom a little to go basket, because it's nice to have a little something to munch on yourselves. Have a wonderful and happy wedding day, and many many years of happiness.

God bless us all.............

Answer 5

I don't know where you are from but I know that in different regions of the United States weddings are very different. In some states they have sit down formal attire dinners and in some like in South Louisiana if you have a sit down formal dinner your basically considered filthy rich. Weird right? I guess it's just a part of our culture. People down here love to eat and cook. I have never been to a wedding that didn't have finger food. lol. I'm getting married in June and am having a very nice wedding at a very nice reception hall and we are doing finger food. We will also have rice dressing or jambalaya and crawfish fettucinne. Like even when shopping for a caterer they show you their basic menu at around $8.50/person and usually consists of a finger sandwich, some sort of meatball or sausage in a sauce, rice dressing or jambalaya, fruit and vegetables, and maybe some sort of seafood fettucinne. So maybe you might think its weird because fingerfoods is not really the traditional wedding reception food in your area. But oh well. Who cares. I think it's a great idea since your not having a very big wedding and its right in the middle of the holidays you are going to be able to save alot of money. Sam's would be perfect. You could probably even find a couple of family members who would be willing to help. Good Luck! Whatever you decide to do it will be perfect because it's exactly how you want tit to be.

Answer 6

The point really is, are you doing a wedding that is your
magical day? This is from last minute bookings experience
you can do this, because the mail is fast. Send out a last
minute pack to all friends and relatives with you have a bus.
Buses can be rented, figure a route, in the invite tell them
you will give them driving directions if they do not want the
bus. This is for the wedding and reception and back home.
Also rent a fountain or an open bar for soda pop, with the
wedding party pours and gives candies. This last minute
idea is a good hit for Happiness. Everything you order is
for ONE magic day, it is for you and everyone who loves you.

Answer 7

Finger food is perfectly fine. That's what we had at my wedding reception. I had finger sandwiches, a fruit tray and a veggie tray. I ordered everything from a local grocery store and the food was great. Everybody came over and told me that they loved the food. The kids thought it was great having sandwiches that were just the perfect size for them! Be sure to bring ziplock bags or disposable food containers (like Gladware) in case there are leftovers. I had food leftover and I brought along ziplock bags. I just left them at the hall when I decorated. My sister's husband wasn't able to attend, so I sent my sister home with an arm load of zippies full of food for him. My Mom, my bridesmaid and my friend made sure that the rest of the food was given out so I didn't have to worry about any of it.

Answer 8

I think finger food is an excellent idea, even if your invite said "cake and punch"--who cares, you do what you want! If you want a little nibble, then you do it!

I especially like those pinwheel sandwiches (theyre in the frozen section) of Sam's, maybe some of those sweet/sour meatballs, veggie tray, some fruits, cheeses and you're good to go.

Answer 9

By all means supply the guests with food.
I've never attended a cake and punch reception and I would decline if I received such an invite.

Answer 10

I think it's an excellent idea! Not all people are fond of cake and punch or sweets. Hot savory food would be a great complement to the cold sweet stuff.

And congrats, have a great time!