Cocktail Hour vs. Dinner Buffet Food

[CastlePrincess]

So I have about $1,000 more to spend to make our F & B minimum. We have a rather high minimum because the location I was dying to have our reception in has a higher minimum capacity than the amount of guests we have. After many hours of weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go with the larger room even if it meant higher F & B.... plus everyone has been telling me not to skimp on the food.

ANYWAY... back to the point. I have $1,000 more to spend and cannot decide whether to spend it on food for the cocktail hour or dinner buffet. The money could essentially get us (1) 2 tray passed items at cocktail hour in addition to what we alreaydy have OR (2) a veggie display and italian meats display at cocktail hour in addition to what we already have OR (3) an additional entree on the dinner buffet.

What do you think?

Part of me feels that the cocktail hour is only 60 minutes and not much is needed. The other part of me feels that if there is too little food at the cocktail hour, it wont matter what is on the dinner buffet because all people will remember is the sparse cocktail hour food.

If it helps, our menu currently consists of:
Cocktail Hours:
- Cheese Display
- Asian Allure Display (includes won ton crisps, potstickers, and soybeans.. although I'm still not clear on how much of each)

Dinner Buffet:
- Salmon Entree
- Chicken Entree
- Prime Rib Carving Station
- 3 sides
- 2 salads

If we were to add another entree to the buffet, it would be the Cioppino... since our families are very into seafood.

Thanks so much for any thoughts and advice. If anyone would like to share their cocktail hour menu for about 50 guests, it would be much appreciated.

 

[MaggieG]

I would do dinner- people really don't expect much at cocktail hour.

 

[MissManners]

What about adding a dessert?

 

[CastlePrincess]

What about adding a dessert?

I am actually the queen of dessert! However, we already have a dessert buffet that comes with the dinner buffet, the cake, AND a cookies and milk bar at the end of the night. As much as I would LOVE to add even MORE dessert, I think it might be sugar overkill for everyone else. LOL

 

[MissManners]

I am actually the queen of dessert! However, we already have a dessert buffet that comes with the dinner buffet, the cake, AND a cookies and milk bar at the end of the night. As much as I would LOVE to add even MORE dessert, I think it might be sugar overkill for everyone else. LOL

Mmmm that sounds sooo good..... yea, you probably don't need another one then haha.

 

[princesswendy720]

I think it might be because I'm from NJ...but people go all out on cocktail hours up here and sometimes have dozens of options. So I'd say, go for the cocktail hour food.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

Yeah, what about dessert? If no dessert, I would go with the dinner as well. I wouldn't want my guests getting filled up on hors d'oeuvres, and as PP already said, people don't really remember the cocktail hour.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I think it might be because I'm from NJ...but people go all out on cocktail hours up here and sometimes have dozens of options. So I'd say, go for the cocktail hour food.

My MOH was just telling me all about this the other day. Her family is Italian and from NJ.

 

[lurkyloo]

The other part of me feels that if there is too little food at the cocktail hour, it wont matter what is on the dinner buffet because all people will remember is the sparse cocktail hour food.

But consider the reverse—if people fill up at the cocktail hour, it won't matter how much fancy food is on the buffet because they won't be interested in any of it. Cioppino would be a nice addition because you already have three main-course types of dishes. Alternatively, I would suggest a fun side-dish action station like a mashed potato martini bar or something, but I like the idea of offering seafood.

 

[girli565]

What about a side instead like the mac n cheese bar or mashed potato bar. Those look amazing.

 

[sambycat]

i'm assuming it needs to be food only to add in here. if it were me, having been through it recently, i would perhaps add something "more" as a favor (i *think* that counts towards the minimum?), the cioppino sounds like a great addition and maybe add to the bar in some way - i think i might have added a passed champagne toast (which is overpriced and unnecessary, but again, looking for money i could have spent beter!).

something seafood would be great!! what about the sorbet/intermezzo i think people have done? or some other dessert type thing people can take with them?

it's crazy when you have to find something to add isn't it!!

 

[chryscrazy]

I know it's not what you asked, but I would add an action station too. I just think they are different and people will remember them.

The mashed potato martini bar includes yukon gold mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, and truffle mac & cheese, with toppings.

The favors can be used to meet the minimum. You could get chocolate Mickey heads with guests' names painted on them for $6 each.

 

[DanielleKnoxson]

I would go with the Dinner plans. We decided to have a buffett style for our wedding. That way everyone can pick what they would like to eat and they can sit, relax and talk with friends and family.