Need help with my cocktail reception menu!

[*Heather*]

Hi everyone - we put together a proposal for our appetizers for our cocktail party and I wanted to check to get everyone's opinions on whether or not we are having enough food.

 

Background info: Our wedding is taking place away from the AI that we're staying at all week. Our guests will be at the venue from around 4:30 to 10:30. We're doing a cocktail party instead of a sit down dinner, as it will help give us the vibe/environment we want, and also we figure everyone will be eating so much all week that they don't need a big huge meal during the wedding. Also since the party is only 5 hours long we didn't want to take up 2+ hours sitting down to eat. We're renting lounge furniture and cocktail tables for guests to mingle at/on. At 10:30 or so we'll head back to the AI where there is a buffet set up until well after midnight.

 

Here is the menu we were thinking of proposing, for 65 people:

 

-Fruit platter for 60 people

-Cheese platter for 60 people (with cheeses and breads)

-Guacamole station with chips (or should we make this chips and salsa instead?)

-6 passed appetizers (mixture between hot and cold apps)

-S'mores at the bonfire

-65 cupcakes

 

We'll make sure that the guests know ahead of time that it's a cocktail reception and that they should have a bigger lunch before heading over.

 

What do you guys think? Is that enough food?

[boscobel]

Heather - do you know what the passed appetizers will be? My opinion kinda depends on if there is anything of substance in them. Cuz while, fruit, cheese, guac & chips are all good to certain people, they aren't very filling. If there isn't something of substance, you are going to have some hungry, and then some drunk people on your hands. Maybe you could do a fajita station or something small like that to offer something filling? My favorite part is the smore's for the bonfire, yummmy!

[ACDCDCAC]

ooh i agree with carly, a fajita station or taco bar is a great idea. we did a taco bar and it was a hit!

 

but yes i guess it would depend on how heavy the apps are, if its like little nibbly things then you need more. but if its like sandwich-y things with meat then it might be ok.

[*Heather*]

I think they will be things like shrimp shooters, some taquitos, etc. They will all have meat in them I believe...we haven't picked them yet.

 

We considered doing the fajita station but I'm just worried that everyone is going to be eating that stuff all week at the Riu so might be sick of it? Plus then would we need the fajita station AND passed appetizers too?

 

This is definitely the most stressful decision so far I think!

[TATrisha]

I'm going to agree that you'll need something with some substance to it. A taco station would be really fun. And although your guests might be enjoying tacos throughout the week at the resort, I think the whole vibe of your wedding will be completely different than the resort buffets.

Also... I LOVE the smores idea!!!

[Jess]

Heather I honestly think that is more than enough food...there is a lot there, and I really think people are going to end up mingling, drinking, and dancing more than eating anyway. I say go for it

[Banana11]

We had a cocktail/appetizer reception before dinner last week at our wedding. We had 6 different apps, all small finger foods except there were meatballs too. I think you will have plenty of food! I like the guac choice over salsa. And you are so right, everyone will be full from eating all week! I swear by Wednesday I never felt a hunger pain from the base of food already in my stomach . And they can go back and chow down at the buffet at your AI.

[*Heather*]

OK thanks girls! Andrea I'm glad to know you did it with slightly less food than our plan and that it worked out fine. I'm going to go and try to negotiate prices now...

 

FI and I like guac over salsa too but my parents said we should do salsa. I think we'll probably end up doing guac though.

[Erika J]

Heather.

 

I agree with Jess, I think you have enough food, esp since you can have apps out and passed for the first 2 hours or so and then it will switch to sweets (smores and cup cakes).

 

I do think that you should try to negotiate them to throw in the salsa when you get the guac, people like to have both choices when chips are out and everyone will be happy.

[*Heather*]

Good point Erika! I'll try that for sure...