So I’m doing this whole “getting married” thing next year and it includes making about 50 zillion decisions.
I’m not good at decisions.
Neither is The Boy.
I just today (about ten minutes ago, actually) deciding on a photographer. I had been “making a decision” for about three weeks.
I’d really like to figure out catering and music soonly, but I think I require some internet friend help.
The item at the forefront of my mind is catering. We’ve decided we want a catering company to take care of providing heavy appetizers and one or two dessert options (excluding cake). Their menu is huge. We’re having a evening ceremony and thus we don’t really want to have a dinner sized spread. However, we also don’t want to send people home hungry.
So, how many appetizer options do you think we should have?
Keep in mind we’re doing cake and ice cream, pie, and something else desserty as well.
It would depend on how much you want to spend. When we would do functions like that for my Rabbis (evening cocktail hours or the like) we went with a cheese like arrangement, veggie platter like arrangement, and a min of 3 apps. Six + if they had the budget for it.
Also, are you guys into food? Is there a heavy number of non meat eaters in your guest list? Are there kids coming? Overall is it a more simple menu crowed or can you be adventerous.
I prob. didn’t help with the decisions did I?
I think it depends on how picky your guests are. With 4 you could over all the bases: a veggie-only option, a seafood option, something with meat (or pork) and a chicken choice. That should make everyone happy. Of course, if no one gives a crap about a veggie option, add another chicken – whatever will suit your crowd.
Most important though – remember that it’s YOUR day, you and the Boy. So try not to get so caught up in the details that you forget to enjoy the day and remember it and each other that day. (voice of experience over here)
Usually if you tell caterers how many appies per person you are wanting, they can tell you how large the platters should be and how many of each item would be best. If you’re doing appies only and dessert, I would say anywhere from 6-10 per person depending on your budget and food choice. You also have to take into consideration how many babies/kids there will be.
I’m planning my wedding right now too and there are just sooo many options for EVERYTHING!
i think that you should have at least three options. that way, you can have a seafood, a meat (steak or chicken), and a vegetarian choice. people will likely eat two of each.
I just re-read and thought about it…if you are trying to make the spread “heavier” maybe offer a couple more options. so, change my previous vote to 5.
also, this is just something i tell people in general about weddings. don’t sweat the small stuff. there is a LOT of small stuff involved in weddings. the wedding industry revolves around small stuff. i had a wedding and spent tens of thousands of dollars on it. for some reason, the invitations and flowers became VERY important. in the end of it all, i’ll have to say…they weren’t. i mean, at all. the invitations got thrown away…the only reason i remember my flowers, is that i have pictures of them, and i don’t remember tasting the cake.
your wedding will be important and what you want, because you were there. it is the two of you.
We did an appetizer bar. There was salad, fruit and then like 5 different apps. Plus 2 desserts and the cake. We also had bread at each table with dipping sauce. It was PLENTY of food!!!
The last evening wedding I went to had four–one cheese, one meat, one seafood, and one veggie. Congratulations and Good Luck!
I really don’t have any advice for this, but I just wanted to say…
My friend and I were *just* discussing how awesome an evening wedding would be, but how rare they are. And here you are having a evening wedding. Fabulous. : )
Ohhh I saw on a blog today (bookish penguin I believe) that had an ice cream bar at their wedding. Guests made their own Sundaes!!! I love that idea nad totally stealing it
I see now, my answer does not seem to answer any sort of question posed. Sorry about that. I was just excited about a Sundae bar.
id say two to three options for apetizers, not too many
We did the heavy apps thing. Six apps was a decent amount of food, but we did a full dinner, and included a couple of “stations” too – mashed potato, meat carving station, and a pasta bar. We also did a candy bar, which went over really well. I think we did 6 types of candy. One thing – some of the older guests may not “get” the whole heavy apps thing. But it’s your vision, and everyone WILL get enough to eat. So try your best to ignore any naysayers and make sure it’s exactly the way you want it!! It will be amazing.
Good luck planning. Enjoy your blog.
We did appetizers, too. Here’s the thing — everyone assumed it was a buffet, not a set of light snacks, and it got scarfed before the last people in line got there.
I recommend getting enough appetizers to fill everyone up.