Need help with my cocktail reception menu!

[ErinB]

The easiest thing to do is work backwards on your time, to find out how long people will really be eating, dancing, etc.

 

So from my understanding & best guesses...

10:30 - leave

10:00 - last call, start gathering stuff, moving to the pick up spot

9:00 - desserts open to everyone

8:30 - Cut the cake/serve the first cupcake/make the first s'more

8:00 - Special Dances

7:30 - Last round of passes HD's

7:00 - Toasts, next round of passed HD's

6:00 - First round of passed HD's

5:30 - Buffet open - trays, chips & salsa, etc.

5:00 - Wedding

4:30 - Arrive at Wedding site, find seats, get programs

4:00 - People meet to be transported to site

 

I have found that most guests appreciate some kind of framework at an event. So even though it will have a cocktail party feel, you can easily mix in some of the traditional wedding events.

 

There will be a certain amount of down time & gaps while you are taking pictures, especially if there is a group shot, people are congratualting you, going to the bar, finding a seat, going potty, trays are being re-filled,etc.

 

Either way, I think you have enough food if the passed HD's are on the substancial side. You will want to figure at least one piece of everything per person.

 

Also, you might want to see if the venue will place any left over passed HDs on your buffet tables so guests can continue to snack. I would also add some salsa to the guac. Salsa is really cheap so it shouldn't blow the budget.

[*Heather*]

GREAT points Erin! Thank you so much!

 

We are hoping to turn the cocktail party into a bit of a dance party probably around like 8ish...but if the cupcakes and s'mores are available at that time people can snack on them, dance, snack, dance, repeat. If they want...

 

Good point about putting the leftovers on the table. I was going to do 2 pieces of everything per person...depending on cost.

[NJ_bride]

Our cocktail party was from 5-7. With open bar and hot and cold apps. For hot there were Spring Rolls, shrimp kebobs and chicken kebobs. As for cold there was everything, cheeses, artichoke hearts topped with bruscetta, nachos, fruits, raw veggies, deviled eggs, olives, nuts, the list goes on. With 50 people the food was almost gone by the end and we had wedding cake too. Here is the thing if it's apps people will pick more over time than they might eat at a sit down dinner. I know I'm guilty of this. Note we also had a buffet style dinner after and people still ate! I say go with a few more foods if you are in doubt, better more than not enough. Best of luck!

[jenjoe08]

It could be enough, you just need to make sure you order enough of the passed hors d'oeuvres.

[fudgie]

I think it would be enough. People are going to be mingling and it seems like there will be a lot going on, it doesn't seem like people are just going to focus on what they can eat during the time there. But I do agree that if you have doubts you might want to add something just to ease your mind

[*Heather*]

Thanks for all of your advice ladies. I sent a note to my contact a couple of days ago with the 9 (substantial) apps we want, plus a tortilla/guac station with paper cones. I'm thinking with that plus s'mores and cupcakes, we'll have enough, but if they give us a good enough price we may add a couple of more small stations.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input!