Men AND woman- what do you think of this reception idea?!
((The main picture is taken from the dance floor looking up))
http://www.stateroomquincy.com/
So I was thinking that instead of the normal dinner at our reception that I would have kind of a "cocktail party" to stick with the funky/cool theme of the room. Serving appetisers(sp?) instead of an actual meal. Food around the edge of the room such as:
chocolate & vanilla dipped strawberries
cheeses, crackers, meats
little smokies
small chicken wings
dips
((basically everyones favorite finger foods))
A LARGE VARIETY of foods all around the room.
Why?
Because when you serve an actual meal then people usually get thier plates and sit down with people that THEY ALREADY KNOW and only talk to that small "clique" of people.
With the different serving tables all around the room then people would be forced to walk around and socialize...
Answers: For our reception we will be renting an old theatre that they remodeled into a hall. Here is the website so you can see what it looks like-
((The main picture is taken from the dance floor looking up))
http://www.stateroomquincy.com/
So I was thinking that instead of the normal dinner at our reception that I would have kind of a "cocktail party" to stick with the funky/cool theme of the room. Serving appetisers(sp?) instead of an actual meal. Food around the edge of the room such as:
chocolate & vanilla dipped strawberries
cheeses, crackers, meats
little smokies
small chicken wings
dips
((basically everyones favorite finger foods))
A LARGE VARIETY of foods all around the room.
Why?
Because when you serve an actual meal then people usually get thier plates and sit down with people that THEY ALREADY KNOW and only talk to that small "clique" of people.
With the different serving tables all around the room then people would be forced to walk around and socialize...
I think this is a great idea. In college, I was a cater waiter, and we did several wedding receptions that were much as you describe. They are a lot easier to do and will be a lot less expensive than a catered, sit-down meal. It will probably also be a bit more fun, with all the mingling.
I am assuming that you will have music, dancing and cocktails as well - that will loosen people up.
Be sure to have several small tables sprinkled around the perimeter of the room, because many people don't like to eat while standing, and it can be tricky or difficult. If possible, get some pub tables, which are standing height and won't require chairs. You will still want to have chairs available, though, since most people won't want to stand for the duration, especially if there is a lot of dancing going on.
However, I would stay away from messy finger foods like chicken wings - remember that everyone is in their best attire. Messy, saucy items are just begging to be spilled, rubbed and smeared over all those nice clothes.
There are plenty of less messy appetizers available. Suggested items would include: green salad, prepared salads (macaroni, potato, etc..), fruit and vegetable platters, cold cuts and cheese with rolls and condiments. Hot items might include BBQ smokies, teriyaki or burgundy meatballs, taquitos, mini quesadillas, stuffed mushrooms, rumaki, etc.. For the sauced items, I would go light with the sauce and serve with plenty of napkins and toothpicks to make the eating a little less messy.
You should be able to have lots of fun with this - remember that it is YOUR day and you can do what you please. Have fun. I hope this helps some.
Sounds good, It's your wedding so do what ya want.
Queeny, since it's your party, do what YOU and your future want, not what anybody else wants...sounds different and should be a smash with everyone! Good idea! Go for it! Good Luck and Congrats! :O) PS: Where's the party so that I can come and sample all the goodies and food! LOL
Sounds like fun! Congrats!!
This is a great idea.... When you are faced with a sit-down meal at a wedding it can all be a bit difficult, what with individual food preferances, with your idea, every one can eat the things they like, and as you say, they have to circulate. and of course they are not faced with a plate of food when they dont want it, or feel hungry later, as I found that people like to picky eat. Sounds great to me!
Sounds great, much better than a sit down meal.
I think it sounds great, however, not to burst your bubble... but when people go to a wedding and reception, they expect to be fed a meal.
People plan the seating arrangements to encourage mingling of guests with people they don't know. That is why most people find themselves seated with people they don't know at weddings.
I think it's great to have appetizers and a social gathering before the actual meal is served. This usually happens while the bride and groom are having their pictures taken, which can take an hour or longer.
After the meal anyway, people start drinking and dancing and that is when most of the mingling happens.
Again, I think your plan sounds great - and it's your special day, so do what you want to do! Have fun, good luck and congrats!
Congrats, I adore the room and I think that the buffet is a great idea!
Its your special day, with the one you love and its the day you both make your promises and start the rest of your life together, so really, its your choice!
Hope I helped,
x.x
I think that you should do what you want to do on your day. Personally, I am much more of a traditional person and like the formality of having a sit down meal. I do agree with HCC, who said that people expect to have dinner when they go to a wedding reception. This is especially true in certain parts of the US and if you are coming from a far distance. I am not too sure how thrilled I would be to fly 300 miles and not even be served dinner.
I also agree that by having a seating chart you are forcing individuals who do not know one another to talk to each other. I think you may actually accomplish the opposite with not having a seating chart by having people only talk to those they know already.
I like the idea of a cocktail and something that has been occurring a lot in benefits is doing stations instead of just appetizers. This way you can justify not having a full sit down meal if you offer items that are smaller, but considered more "dinner items". An example of this is having a mashed potato bar - you have 3-4 different types of mashed potatoes (regular, garlic, sweet) and different toppings (butter, cheese, onions, bacon, sour cream, sugar...) and serve them in a martini glass. You can also have a sushi station (with a variety of different types of sushi), pasta station (with a bunch of different sauces), and an antipasto station (including: olives, cheese, meats, breads, tapanade, artichokes...). This is just another option and I know that it has become really popular lately and would probably deter people from complaining about not having a proper dinner.
You should do what you want and if having an appetizers buffet fits you and your future spouse's personality go with it. Good luck planning the wedding and congrats.
