Cocktail hour vs. pre-reception

[IndyBride]

Since we will be busy taking pictures during the pre reception I was planning on just doing cheese and veggies to save a little bit of money on the overall cost of food. However, my mom suggested we just do a cocktail hour with no appetizers and have a more formal appetizer course during dinner. That way I could enjoy the food too. Our ceremony is scheduled to 5 pm so the reception wouldn't start until 630 with cockail hour from 530 to 630. I am getting married in DL at the DLH's rose court garden. My guests will have to walk over to the GCH for the reception and I assume some people will see something along the way in DTD that will peak their interest for a minute or two. So most people will not be there for a full hour.

What do you all think about forgoing food during the pre-reception? It will end up costing more becuase the appetizers at the plated dinner are more than for pre-receptions. Do you think everyone will be starving by the time they eat? And how would I translate on the invitation there won't be apps at the cocktail hour. Will calling it a **** tail hour be enough?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[lurkyloo]

If it's cheaper to stick with appetizers during the pre-reception, I say do that. The thing is, you are going to have PLENTY of other opportunities to eat cheese and crackers in your life so you're not going to be missing much. And that way the guests won't be tapping their toes wishing dinner would start cuz they're so hungry....

 

[minpinpriss]

Im going through the same thing... ceremony at 5 but its scheduled from 430-6pm. I assume that is cause its really gonna run from 5-530. People need time to get seated and get out. Im having 85 people so it takes time. The pre reception is from 6-7 and the reception is from 7-11.
I too will be doing pictures after the ceremony but hoping we can still make it to the end of the cocktail hour. My original idea was to do cocktails and a few passed hourderves (I cant spell btw) but after talking to my dad he makes a good point. If people are getting there around 430 445 for a 5pm ceremony they wont realistically be eating dinner till 8. They are going to be starving. Everyone is gonna have to get dressed get to the site etc so they are not really gonna be able to eat after like 2? I dont know. I am having the same issue. I didnt help you but wanted you to know you are not the only one. (-:

 

[lurkyloo]

minpinpriss - If you're serving a buffet for dinner, you may be able to have some of the appetizer-like selections served early during your pre-reception for no extra charge. That's what we did. There was already way too much food on the menu, so this spaced it out a little for our guests.

 

[IndyBride]

Im going through the same thing... ceremony at 5 but its scheduled from 430-6pm. I assume that is cause its really gonna run from 5-530. People need time to get seated and get out. Im having 85 people so it takes time. The pre reception is from 6-7 and the reception is from 7-11.
I too will be doing pictures after the ceremony but hoping we can still make it to the end of the cocktail hour. My original idea was to do cocktails and a few passed hourderves (I cant spell btw) but after talking to my dad he makes a good point. If people are getting there around 430 445 for a 5pm ceremony they wont realistically be eating dinner till 8. They are going to be starving. Everyone is gonna have to get dressed get to the site etc so they are not really gonna be able to eat after like 2? I dont know. I am having the same issue. I didnt help you but wanted you to know you are not the only one. (-:

Comforting to know I'm not the only one. It's just to me veggies and cheese are not very exciting appetizers but anything more than that and it's crazy expensive! I also worry about everyone drinking before eating anything. Although I know they will have had lunch and all that but when I go to Disney it's almost as though there is never enough food! Decisions Decisions! Good luck with yours!

 

[IndyBride]

Meant to reply to Carrie's remark about eating cheese and crackers at another time...
That makes sense... I guess I just wish my apps didn't have to be cheese and crackers but then it starts getting way to expensive!100 peice minimums are too much for only 55 people!

 

[minpinpriss]

minpinpriss - If you're serving a buffet for dinner, you may be able to have some of the appetizer-like selections served early during your pre-reception for no extra charge. That's what we did. There was already way too much food on the menu, so this spaced it out a little for our guests.

Great idea - Im having a plated dinner though... Which is totally giving me just as much trouble in terms of decisions. I have never been to a wedding in my life where I didnt get a choice of entree. I think its totally tacky (especially that Im doing black tie) to have the dinner choices on the RSVPs. Just my opinion. I know some have said who cares and its not so bad - I just really dont like it. Although, I might end up doing it. Im not sure how I can expect that 85 people are going to want filiet and lobster. And actually after I think it was your post lurkyloo somewhere else that you were not impressed with the filet? Now Im really nervous!

 

[minpinpriss]

Comforting to know I'm not the only one. It's just to me veggies and cheese are not very exciting appetizers but anything more than that and it's crazy expensive! I also worry about everyone drinking before eating anything. Although I know they will have had lunch and all that but when I go to Disney it's almost as though there is never enough food! Decisions Decisions! Good luck with yours!

Yeah your definitley not the only one. One thing to think of is maybe instead of just the cheese and crackers do the antipasto - its about 4 bucks a person more but I think for the 250 bucks extra (your having 50 people right) it will be more of an impressive layout? That is what I think Im gonna go with. Good luck!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Great idea - Im having a plated dinner though... Which is totally giving me just as much trouble in terms of decisions. I have never been to a wedding in my life where I didnt get a choice of entree. I think its totally tacky (especially that Im doing black tie) to have the dinner choices on the RSVPs. Just my opinion.

Hey - if that's your thing that bugs you, go with it! I'm sure nobody understood my thing (i.e., groomsmen who stand at the altar with their hands clasped in front of their groins like they have to use the restroom), but I got my way on it [stamps foot]

Regarding the filet... maybe you could specify what cut of meat the BoardWalk chefs will use? It just seemed like they were passing off skirt steak or flank steak as tenderloin... Or maybe we caught them on a bad day!

Will you get to have a tasting session?

 

[minpinpriss]

Hey - if that's your thing that bugs you, go with it! I'm sure nobody understood my thing (i.e., groomsmen who stand at the altar with their hands clasped in front of their groins like they have to use the restroom), but I got my way on it [stamps foot]

Regarding the filet... maybe you could specify what cut of meat the BoardWalk chefs will use? It just seemed like they were passing off skirt steak or flank steak as tenderloin... Or maybe we caught them on a bad day!

Will you get to have a tasting session?

That is too funny. I totally agree with you though!!
yeah if they are being careful as to how they word it- Im looking at it now and it says filet and lobster - I am expecting tenderloin. Who gets a crappy cut of steak with a lobster tail? Surf and turf is what it is. Ill have to stay on top of them on that. Thanks much for the heads up

 

[OctoberBride]

I think that would be fine. A Disney wedding is always going to be slightly different from your typical wedding...that's what makes it magical...and I think it's hilarious the disboards blocked out the **** in the word cocktail!