Appetizer vs Dinner Buffet?

It depends on the portion sizes. If each person can fill up a normal size plate with appetizers, then go for it. They can have little portions of a lot of different things. Those scallops sound awesome too. ^^

We are doing something very similar but added a pork station and pasta station. I think it will be more than enough without but we wanted more options.

That will be fine, as long as there is enough for everyone to feel full. Many times, appetizers are more expensive, in the long run, than a buffet dinner.

What time is your reception? That will make a difference too.

Also, realize, beverage most likely means coffee, tea and iced tea.

@Mallory I'm thinking they would all have free range of the veggie/fruit/cheese/bruschetta/salad stuff and then one each of the skewers, scallops, etc. Just not sure if that's enough :/

We could always add more to it, like Michelle, but if we do that we might as well do a full dinner. Idk! So much thinking involved haha

@Kathy I haven't contacted them yet about exact quantities, but their cheapest dinner option is $18.99 per person. And yes, I am aware that beverage = basic stuff. We are providing our own alcohol so that's not in the equation at all.

I'm thinking of 6pm(ish), we haven't decided yet.

Add a pasta station and a carving station and you're good to go

We are opting to have a spread of apps and desserts, with the reception starting closer to 8pm.

My thoughts:

1. I would much prefer to spend money on my honeymoon than feed 200 people.

2. More room for cake and booze!

My favorite thing about it is that with finger foods, my guests can mingle. We don't have to rent as many tables and chairs, and we don't have to rent silverware. Those are the plusses for me, anyway.

Good luck making a decision!

@Gem, I hope that your guests tend to eat dinner at 5PM. In my world, a reception at 8PM would still mean dinner.

If you cannot feed 200 people, do not invite 200 people. Honeymoons, as well as receptions, are optional. Do not short change your guests. It will only hurt you in the end, when they trash talk.

We will have some food, and some desserts besides the cake, but no, paying for a sit down dinner would have meant excluding a lot of people who mean a lot to us. We are going to state on the invitations what kind of reception it will be.

If anyone is disappointed with the party that I paid for and invited them to, well, they know ahead of time and they don't have to come.

Meh, personally I get kinda queasy eating finger foods at a mealtime b/c they tend to be really rich. If I were a guest at a dinner time I would rather have a protein/veggie/starch.

Gem, you can/will obviously do whatever you want but just know going that if you only serve apps/dessert at a mealtime (aka 8pm) you'll have grumpy/hungry guests who will likely leave early. If you push it back so your ceremony starts at 8pm your guests will have more time to eat dinner before coming and I think you'll all have a much better time. And even if you serve only apps, you need to have a seat for every butt, even it's a combo of hightop tables, lounge furniture, etc. I went to a wedding like you're describing and it was a serious cluster. People were ducking out to go get fast food and the people who did eat there were standing around b/c there was no place to sit and rest their plate. Remember the reception is your way of thanking your guests for coming to support your marriage.

I have to agree with Kris. I think many brides forget that the point of a reception is to thank you guests for coming to your ceremony. I've been to receptions like Gem's and I always feel like I've been invited just for the gift. If you can't afford to feed your guests a dinner at dinner time (6-8) then either have an earlier reception (brunch, lunch, 5pm), cut your guest list, or don't have one at all.

If ya really care about 200 guests...well......you need to feed them. Better to do a great party for a few people than an 'eh' party for 200. Just my opinion.