Wedding Reception..is this acceptable?

Question

Is there anything wrong with just having Hors D'oeuvres for food instead of full dinners for an evening wedding??

Answer 1

I am SO proud of you for being practical it is YOUR wedding you do what you can AFFORD. My friend had a wedding a second for both of them. What they did was have 2 meal trays on lasagna one chicken and the rest of the meal were wonderful Delicious appetizers and a nice cake.

A good rule of etiquette is to put down on the invitation that appetizers and desserts would be served. My co-worker went to a wedding and everyone was expected to be fed a dinner because the reception started at 6:00 but appetizers and desserts were served no one was told it was going to be Hors"D oeuvers and a cake and her and some of the quests were annoyed because they were hungry and under the impression dinner would be served. The bride was married before and probably did not see the need to have a fancy meal but they should have been considerate and let their guests be informed either by e-mail, word of mouth or state on the invitation Reception will be at and Hords D'orves and cake and/or dessert will be served.

When I have guest over our home I serve appetizers and desserts it is MUCH less that a sit down dinner and a lot more fun as thier is a lot of variety to eat. I think you have a WONDERFUL idea and this will save you a ton of money.
Many don't even finish their dinners anyway because they fill up on the appetizers at the cocktail hour.

Answer 2

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having hors d'oeuvres instead of a full dinner. If done well, it can be more tasteful than serving a full meal. Make sure to write it on the invite so that guests know what to expect....."for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails"...or whatever your are having. Also, mid-afternoon or late evening (after the dinner hour) are good times to have this kind of a reception.

*For everyone saying that this is "cheap", please note that hors d'oeuvres can cost just as much, it not more, than dinner in many cases.

Answer 3

How late is the wedding? I think if you start the ceremony any time during what is considered the dinner hour, most guests nowadays will expect some substantial refreshments. You also have to consider the wedding party, who will have had to be there at least an hour or more prior to the start of the ceremony because to get ready, take pictures, etc.

That said, many evening weddings I have been to had just very simple cake & punch receptions--that is very common in the South, particularly with a Baptist wedding that does not include alcohol or dancing.

I think it depends on the culture and the region where you live and what guests would typically expect. You may want to shift the time of the ceremony up or down to allow guests time to either dine before they arrive or after they leave the reception. You may also want to include some wording on the invitation and RSVP to indicate what the guests should expect. I think I put something like "Light refreshments" somewhere on mine, but I can't remember for sure--I might have put Hor D'oeuvres, but some of the folks in my neck of the woods might not have known what that was! (lol)

A wedding etiquette book or website or a wedding planner in your area might be able to give you some additional insight. Also, you could ask the caterer (if you hire one) what is typical and/or expected in your area. I googled your ? & got several hits. Here is one place you could start:

Answer 4

It depends on the time would your guests have time to enjoy your reception then go to dinner? Or would they eat before the wedding. It really comes down to what time is the wedding. Also if this is what you choose be sure to state that only Hors D'oeuvres are being served so guests can make plans accordingly. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Depends on what time in the evening you are having the wedding. If it's 5 p.m. no one has had a chance to eat anything since noon. And that's not going to put people in a good mood. If the wedding is at 7 p.m. or later, they can have something at home before they come to the church.
You might want to alert them that hor d'oeuvres will be served, or 'light refreshments' or something to that effect, so they'll know to stop in for a big Mac before coming to the church.

Answer 6

No.... Hors D'oeuvres (HD) can be lovely... your selections might be toward veggies, shrimp, meatballs, cheese, fruit, and things like that, leaving the sweets for the wedding cake. If you are doing it yourself, make the HD table beautiful with different heights, easy by putting pots or cake pedatals down on a table then, cover it all with your white tablecloths and place your platters attractively around. Often food service people do this...so if you hire it out, they will make it wonderful... just remember to relax.... it is the person you are marrying that really counts.... best of luck and have a great life together....

Answer 7

No, but you should either hold it at a time where dinner is not expected, or you should mention on the invite so people can eat ahead of time - Something like "followed by a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception"

Answer 8

I would say "no" but you may want to have it at a time prior to or past the average dinner time. I know I personally can fill up on an Hors D'oeuvres or two but I doubt that I'm in the majority.

Answer 9

I think people expect dinner if the wedding is at dinner time. How about an afternoon wedding, say 2pm, hors d'oeuvres would be perfect then.

Answer 10

There is nothing wrong with it...but my question to you is what time will the reception be? if it is close to a meal time (lunch or dinner) then i would suggest you have more than just Hors D'oeuvres. if it will be over and early enough to go out to eat than your idea is fine.