hors d'oeuvers are they ok and where to find then

[sassycassy0215]

ok so we have chosen to have a evening wedding on july 3, 2005, and along with this we have come up with they idea of having hors d'oeuvers and light snacks, so here is my problem i want to know is that going to be enough, and how well will this go over with the guests should i tell then in advance and if so how.

then do catering companies do hors d'oeuvers receptions and if so does anyone have any ideas of some companies in maryland, and if not how well does doing it myself go, i mena not all alone but i ahve been to events like tea parties which have include up 200 people and the food has been made at home! does this work and if so does anyone have ideas or good things to make.

lastly we have been think about the idea of doing a outdoor wedding but would love to have it on a big farm or something like that where there is a lot of empty room does anyone have any ideas of where i could find this kind of information on the web or phone numbers to call to find location that are not at a inn or bed and breakfast
help?!?!?!

[alison12678]

I don't live in Maryland so I can't help you with the questions specific to locations, etc., but wanted to let you know that I have been to two receptions this year with hors d'oeuvers served and they had better food than receptions serving full dinners! There was plenty of food and variety and also didn't weigh you down when it ***e to the dancing! :)

If you can find a hall where you can bring your own food it will always be cheaper than having them do it, but remember if you go that route you probably will also have to provide the people that serve it too. Your MIL that makes great cheese balls (or whatever) may not want to have to worry about making them and getting them there and serving it on the day of her son's wedding.

HTH!

Alison

[DBRIDEDAS]

Hi! I Live In Baltimore And I'm Getting Married Next August And Believe It Or Not I've Been Thinking Of Having Just Hors D'oeuvers At My Reception And Doing The Cooking Between Myself, Family And Friends. I'd Like To Serve Things Like Swedish Meatballs, Wrap Sandwiches, Seafood Salad, Sushi, Chicken Drummettes. So Believe Me There Is Nothing Wrong W/just Hors D'oeuvers.

Don't Really Worry About Servers, Think Buffett Style So That Everyone Can Serve Themselves. The Only Time To Think About Having Servers Is When The Food Needs To Be Replaced On The Buffett Table. Hopefully Someone Will Be Volunteer Their Services For, If Not Maybe You Could Advertise For Help From The Culinary School And Maybe They Could Help You With Your Hors D'oeuvers. Keep Me Posted, Maybe We Could Trade Ideas

[Melissa S.]

ok so we have chosen to have a evening wedding on july 3, 2005, and along with this we have come up with they idea of having hors d'oeuvers and light snacks, so here is my problem i want to know is that going to be enough, and how well will this go over with the guests should i tell then in advance and if so how.

then do catering companies do hors d'oeuvers receptions and if so does anyone have any ideas of some companies in maryland, and if not how well does doing it myself go, i mena not all alone but i ahve been to events like tea parties which have include up 200 people and the food has been made at home! does this work and if so does anyone have ideas or good things to make.

lastly we have been think about the idea of doing a outdoor wedding but would love to have it on a big farm or something like that where there is a lot of empty room does anyone have any ideas of where i could find this kind of information on the web or phone numbers to call to find location that are not at a inn or bed and breakfast
help?!?!?!

I'm getting married on July 2, 2005!!! WOW just a day before yours! This is what I'm doing; We will have an out door ceremony at a local Hotel! and immediately following we'll have an adult only cocktail party where we will serve 'heavy hors d'oeuvers" which means we will have 2 carving stations, and lots of other small foods. we chose this route because we are going to have 250 guests and a full course meal would cost way too much. You should let your guests know on the invitation that "there will be a cocktail party following". That way they know not to expect a full meal. Also we're going to have the regular round tables and the hotel is going to include those tall cocktail tables. That encourages people to mingle! and walk around! We're also going to have a centerpiece of cold shrimp on ice. I hope this helps you a little! There is NOTHING wrong with serving hors d'oeuvers!!! :)

[mermaid]

Since you're having an evening wedding, you'll want to make sure your hors d'oeuvers are enough to make a meal. As an earlier post described them - "heavy" hors d'oevers. The great thing about this approach is not only the cost savings, but the fact that you can accommodate several dietary preferences of your guests (vegetarian, etc.).

Last Summer I was on the planning committee for for an evening seminar for a group of professionals. We ordered a variety of hors d'oeuvers and a carving station. The food was served buffet style, so it looked like a meal. It was half the cost of a sit down dinner, and the event was a HUGE success.

[HelloAgain]

Two excellent sources for hors d'oeuvres ideas are:

1. The Martha Sewart Hors D'oeuvres handbook. Don't laugh this chica knows her stuff (she was a caterer for years) -- there are lots of very clever and simple ideas for tasty & gorgeous snacks. hot ones, cold ones, tea sandwhiches... it's a big book! Your local library should have it, if not it is available at Borders, Barns & Nobles, etc.

2. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. This is a cookbook written by a famous caterer out on Long Island... she also has lots of smart ideas for make-ahead food and good tips for organizing your party so YOU can have fun! She has especialy good advice on how to arrange platters so they look professional.

[kyzmit]

If you want do-it-yourself hors d'oevres, but don't want to have to worry about spending the time making them, I'd suggest going to a club store and checking out the frozen food sections; Sam's Club has some pretty good spanikopita. If you cook them a couple days ahead and arrange them on a microwaveable plate, you can just heat them up for the reception.

As for how to let people know not to expect a dinner, I'd just put something like... "After the ceremony, join us for Hors D'oevres and dancing in the Main Barn" or whatever...

As for finding a place to have it... I'd call local farms and see if they have a suitable place. I'm having mine in my great uncle's apple orchard. They have weddings there all the time (even though the only advertising they do is mentioning that there is a JOP on site in their B&B adds) and my great aunt LOVES it.

Also I know near Burlington, Vermont, there's Shelburne Farms and Museum and near Rochester there's the Genessee Country Village in Mumford. Both are old colonial homesteads that have working farms and bring in buildings from the area to represent the region. Being in the New England area, I would imagine there may be something similar near you.