Hors d'oeurves wedding reception?

Question

I was consindering to have a cocktail/hors d'oeurves wedding reception. The place I love costs $18 a plate for dinner, we have 250 guests.

I received their packet of wedding information in the mail today. You can choose 10 different hors d'oeurves for $7 a person. From a business standpoint, do you think this place would allow me to have an hors d'oeurves reception for only $7/person?? Obviously Im not just randomly coming up with this number, it states this right in their packet. But somehow I really doubt they will let me "get away" with serving that many people for WAY undercost of what they charge for an actual wedding dinner. What do you think?

Answer 1

You'll have to ask them. If it doesn't say the hors d'oerves price is "in addition to" the dinner, then you should be able to stand your ground and have just that if you like.

Good luck! And don't forget to check for hidden costs! Such as an extra rental fee if you just get hors d'oeurves, but the fee is "waved" if you get the dinner (I've seen that done more than once).  

Answer 2

$18/plate for dinner is usually several courses, and loads more china and silverware and servers than would be involved for an hors d'oeuvres reception. I don't think they're 'getting away' with anything. Literally that's 10 bites of food for $7.  

Answer 3

of course they will. plenty of people have hors doevuors wedding receptions. you are being charge for the food they will have to make. since they will only have to make hors doeurves and not full meals, then that is why it is the cheaper price. you are not 'getting away' with anything. it's something they offer.

Answer 4

Hi.  It all sounds good, and the price is very reasonable at $7/person, but there are a few things to consider.

~ First off.....that is A LOT of people to feed!

~ Second:  what TIME is your reception?

IF you are thinking of doing hors d'oeuvres instead of dinner (and this is the dinner hour), you may find yourself spending almost as much for the food.  (This is what we were told for my son's wedding anyway).  The reason is.....people will really fill their plates with lots because they are really hungry!  So, you may need to order many

hors d'oeuvre platters and make sure that they are kept filled.

~ Would these hors d'oeuvres be at "stations" or "passed."  An hors d'oeuvres reception is perfectly acceptable and I have given that idea to many on here, but I don't think it should replace a dinner.  You CAN get by with hors d'oeuvres if this is going to be a mid-day reception....say from 1-5 or something....or very late in the evening (after the dinner time)....say after 8 p.m.

Just some things to think about.  Call your reception venue and ask them!   See if others have done this and how it went over with their guests.

EDIT:  Now that I think of it, I really doubt that a reception venue is going to feed 250

for $7/each.  Does it say in their brochure that this would be unlimited amounts of

hors d'oeuvres?  I probably doubt it.

Answer 5

I have a feeling that is an add-on package and probably portioned as such. There's no way my company (catering company that owns a ballroom) would give up a prime wedding day without a per-guest catering minimum. Check with them. Be careful if you do an hors d'oeurves-only reception that you still serve enough food to satisfy your guests and that you start late enough or early enough that your guests can reasonably deduce that they won't be served dinner. They always assume they're going to be fed. Chances are a good catering company will enforce a catering minimum - it only makes them look bad in front of 250 potential clients if they run out of food.

Answer 6

yeah where do you live and who is your caterer I want that that sounds CHEEP!

Answer 7

Where do you live??? $18 per guest. wow that is super. I wish there was places like that in my town. The cheapest in my town is $42 per head buffet style.

You should call the reception venue and ask. There is no harm in asking. I doubt that you'll get the right answer in Y!A.

Answer 8

All of that is really cheap compared to the prices I was quoted in my region.

Hors d'oeurve receptions are nice if they are later and there is an open bad.  

Why would they not do it if that is the price point they gave you?  Maybe that is a special price in addition to the dinner. It does sound like awfully low cost. Hors d'oeurves on their own may be more.

Prices here range from $15-$30 for 4 selectrions of served

hors d'oeurves. Dinners start at $40.

You are getting a great deal either way.