hor derves after the ceremony (but before reception)?

[LoveHim08]

I'll try to make this as short as possible...

FH and I are paying for our reception minus alcohol (we can't drink anyway), which my parents are paying for. For whatever reason, at reception venue alcohol is EXTREMELY expensive. Wine STARTS at $30 a bottle, and drinks are all AT cost (which start around ten). Also, appetizers start at $10 pp per appetizer/hor derve (and we have about 70-80 people). For example, 2 appetizer options served for everyone would be about 1400-1600! (Which is more expensive than an EXTENSIVE plated lunch meal that we're paying for)

To make a long story short, my parents really can't afford all that, AND alcohol. My mom had the idea to serve some finger foods (i.e. fruit and cheese trays and some other things) and mimosas after the ceremony outside while people are waiting for us to exit the church (and before we all go to the reception site).

My main question is... is this tacky? I think it will also help people not be SO incredibly hungry once we get to the reception area, which I was worried about since we're having a 12 o clock wedding, and the reception won't start until after 1pm. (which is after "LUNCH" time for some... especially children)

Etiquette wise, is this okay? We will have someone serving the mimosas, and have small plates for people to put some simply food on.
What do you all think?

[WebLady]

Tacky? No, I have seen similar things done several times.

Etiquette wise; I don't think there is a problem with it there either. I think it is a nice idea :)

[TangoWedding]

Just another idea to throw in for consideration...


We're having drinks (cucumber water / lemon water) and snacks (probably cookies or something) before the ceremony. We'll have a table set up where they first walk in and will have someone stationed there welcoming, handing out programs, and telling them to grab something refreshing. :grinhappy:

That way people can stand around and chat since they are already in a 'gathering' mood, it loosens people up for the party to come, and they aren't starving to death before the reception.

Just my two cents.

:D

[bichonlvr]

I went to a wedding that had Appletini's and some cheese and crackers before we went into the reception site....it was perfect!

Does the place let you bring in alcohol but charge a corking fee??

[StJohnBride]

I always appreciate when couples have an appetizer hour before the reception -- even when it is cheese and crackers and grapes. (Which are the first to go anyway.)

[EarlyBird]

i definatly think for a lunch time meal, its too much for have heavy appetizers before. stick to the cheese and fruit tray- maybe add some sort of dip (spinach??) if its cheap enough,- see if they will let you bring this in yourself for a fee and order from costco- ( 30.00 for spinach dip to serve 35-40ppl and 45 for a cheese and 45$ for a fruit tray)
they may let you do this
ALSO.. may i add that i always appreciate mimosa in the afternoon- the fact that you will be serving liquor at a lunch meal is above and beyond anyway- let them drink mimosa, whcih goes very well with cheese and fruit, during the cocktail hour

i also like the idea of doing it before the ceremony, but alot of people will miss that so you will probably be wasting money and food

[shawnsgirl]

We are doing something similar but it will be at the reception itself for an 1/2 hour before we are introduced! I think its a great idea!!

[Elly_N_Joe]

I just went to a wedding that did this, they had little finger foods (strawberries, mini eclairs etc) in the church lobby well they were taking pictures, and people were waiting for them to come out of the church. I didn't think it was tacky at all.... they had a 2 hour window between their reception and ceremony, so it was actually nice!

[Danielle9608]

This is actually super common where I come from. After the ceremony we are having a coctail hour, where we will be having a claims casnio. (Before dinner) FH and I and the rest of the bridal party will be taking pictures at this time with our own apps for the bridal party. I think this works out nicely because dinner usually is not served right away. This tides people over till dinner starts being served.

[TangoWedding]

they had a 2 hour window between their reception and ceremony


:bbeek: Holy moses!

Is this common?? Two hours?

Sorry, but as a guest, I'd be ticked off having to wait around for that long. Our reception starts 5 minutes after the ceremony. We're saying our "I Do's" and then having the minister tell everyone to go get their food. :bblol:

[hummingbird521]

i think it would be a wonderful idea to do. either before the ceremony or after it. afterwards might be better time for this.

[kevinsbride2B]

Our hall is allowing us to bring in any hor derves we want. After the ceremony we're sticking the guests into a "reception" room and there will be finger foods, a bar and so on. And this will be happending like directly after the ceremony. I don't think it's tacky at all. I lvoe free food. I feed myself through COSTCO on a regular basis! lol I think your guest would really liek the whole idea.