Doing the Hors D'Oeuvres
Hors d'oeuvres are a great option for those looking to serve lighter fare to their guests in a cocktailed-style reception, but it is also an alternative option for those looking to fully satisfy their guest's hunger without the formality of a full sit-down dinner.
Offered up by bow-tied clad servers, served buffet style, served at stations located at different points around a room, or a combination of all three allows you to cater to a wide range of tastes, while maintaining a casual relaxed atmosphere.
Alternating with a variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres from tenderloin tidbits, or phyllo pastries filled with an assortment of delectable tastes to fruit kabobs and vegetable platters served up with a wide range of dips. Hors d'oeuvres receptions are the perfect solution if you dislike the idea of a formal dinner. They are not necessarily the cheaper solution.
If your aim is to serve your guests hors d'oeuvres in lieu of dinner, while still serving them enough food to satisfy them as if they had eaten a full dinner, then the quantities and selection of items must in greater quantity than would normally be seen at a cocktailed-style reception.
When appetizers are the meal, experts recommend budgeting about 12 pieces per guest to be served. To ensure that no guest goes home hungry, it would also be ideal to host a carving station or two with roast beef, turkey or ham, and to have plenty of seafood on hand.
For dessert, guests can feast on your wedding cake, that you can supplement with a few additional sweets as well.
To complement your savory samplings it is a good idea to offer guests wine, champagne or a novelty cocktail, if you are not having an open bar.
With such a relaxed and informal dining setting, it is important to provide seating and tables, and hors d'oeuvres-styled dinners allow you to look at a number of seating alternatives. Seating arrangements that include: regular tables and chairs without the regular table settings, high cocktail tables and stools dotted around the dance floor, comfortable couches, chairs and coffee or end tables, or a combination of all three.
To cap off your delicious hors d'oeuvres reception, why not give guests a favor that will remind them of the many delectable dainties they were able to sample at your wedding? Favors that can even be broken out that night in the form of stainless steel hors d'oeuvres picks, shaped to follow the theme of your wedding, or in fun X and O shapes to represent the hugs and kisses you'll share as a newly married couple.
Serve guests up in style and let them sample what they will, with a hors d'oeuvres-styled reception that will have them circulating the room, mixing and mingling as they search out the tasty treats.
©2008 Weddingstar Inc.
