Wedding canapes - should I serve them?

emjleo85  @missengaged Hi hun i personally wouldnt expect to get served canapes, we wont be having them as i think its just extra added expense and not leaving room for the delicious meal we will be paying for. Evening buffet id say something nice and simple, we have the option of sausage and bacon butties too and are leaning more towards that currently as i think its different ....BBQ sounds good too xx

mysterymeg  @missengaged I think canapes are worth the extra as helps fill the milling around time as well as giving the guests a snack. The buffet is a better option I think as it gives more variety than a bbq or hog roast where if people arent big meat eaters etc they might not find something. We had a buffet with the option of choosing 6 options, we went for sandwiches, samosas, bhajis, spring rolls, sausage rolls (cheesy i know but went down really well) and mini pizzas. Everyone found something to eat and all commented on how nice the oriental selections were.

mrscoops  @missengaged I have a very similar time scale to you, we are having canapes but only because they are part of our package, £500 seems a lot for a couple of bites of food each, I don't really think they ever fill anyone up so I dont think they are neccesary really,lets be honest most people are interested in the champagne/pimms/buck fizz or whatever is being handed round more than the canapes anyway so you could effectively spend the £500 you are saving on the canapes on more of that! I have been to plenty of weddings without them and cant say I have ever missed them. As for the evening food- yum yum all sounds great and again similar to ours but I do like the idea of a hog roast/bbq especially as hopefully you will have nice weather around the time of your wedding. We have a buffet (again part of our package) but personally I know that by the end of the night it tends to start looking a bit messy and leftoverish(dont actually think thats a word!) and you are kind of put of having it whereas a hog roast or bbq is fresher for each person. What I have actually done answering your question I have realised is put you off exaclty what I am having ha ha!! either way with or without canapes or buffet v hog roast I am sure people will love the food coz it all sounds fab! xx

laubabeuk  @missengaged We had the option of serving canapes on arrival at our reception venue but we decide against them based on cost. I went to a wedding last year where canapes were served on arrival. they were lovely but if they hadn't had them, I wouldn't have been bothered. They are basically a couple of mouthfuls!! I think canapes are very expensive for what they are and people don't really miss them. I am not bothered that we arn't having them as it's saved us about £600!!

We are getting married at 1pm and won't be having the wedding breakfast until about 4pm so we've told everyone to have a big brunch/lunch before the wedding.

For our evening buffet, we've recently changed from a cheese/bread/cracker buffett to bacon butties and chips. We decided that this is easier to eat and people do like a bit of stodge when they are drinking. A hog roast would be amazing though!! xx

ina_vi  We do have canapes, but our wedding is starting at some quite odd time, and most of the guests (incl me) will be hungry after the ceremony, but will have to wait for dinner. So the canapes are more like necessity than our choice. And we have a buffet, coz we have guests from 3 different countries, and that way everyone will have something they like. mysterymeg is right, BBQ and Hog roast don't give any choice, but it depends on what kind of wedding you have. Ours will be more like a party, so I chose the menu with the thought that everyone should have something yummy to eat.

joski28  @missengaged we're not having canopes as we don't get married until 2pm but as a few here have said I wouldn't opt for them anyway. They don't make much difference I don't think. I'm only ever waiting for the main meal and a bit of tuna on a bit of bread is not going to distract me from it haha. I personally would go for the buffet if I had a choice (we're having one because it's the only option) because there is more variety available to people and it can be picked at again later when people get more drunk and feel like munching. However, saying all of this, I will eat anything and would be happy with either if I were a guest Doesn't help at really does it? Lol x

gina130284  @missengaged I personally wouldnt expect them. I've only been to 1 wedding which has canapes and as nice as they were they were bloody roasting (indian samosas, etc) and I had to keep hold of them until they were at a reasonable temperature to eat. Then there was the issue with greasy fingers!!
Am I right in thinking you are getting married in the same venue you are having your reception? If so there will be photographs to fill the time, and as long as there is a bar people will be happy. Save yourself £500!!

As for the evening, you get a great choice with the buffet but I personally hate queueing for food, and there always seems to be loads of food left over at buffets!! The hog roast or BBQ would be a great idea and something a bit different!! Would this still be possible if the great british weather rained on your parade??

kookiebek  We didn't get married until 2 and didn't eat until nearly 5.15!! As lots of people were travelling they would not have had lunch we told everyone to have a large brunch before they came. Canapes are a nice touch but as people said you dont really miss them if they are not there.

We had a hog roast for our dinner and so that the Vegetarians had an option we served chips and salads and quiches too. People were really impressed with the food, so dont worry about Vege options as they will be catered for (pretty sure venues will put that option in as part of the package.). However bacon and sausage butties sound fab too!!!x

missengaged  @emjleo85
@mysterymeg
@mrscoops
@laubabeuk
@ina_vi
@gina130284
@kookiebek
Thanks for all your input girls! @mrscoops you made me laugh! Leftoverish is a very good word! Our venue clear the food after an hour and half of serving so luckily this won't happen, but know exactly what you mean!
It's only 2 hours of waiting and like you said Gina they will be being served free drinks so think that's probably more important! Since posting this discussion our wedding coordinator emailed me the BBQ menu (read below ) and after reading it I have decided it's got to be the BBQ! H2b isn't home from work yet but I know as soon as he reads the option for the BBQ he will want this, even though it's more per head to me it sounds perfect and they cook it indoors if the weather is crap! Thanks alot though girls!!x

Please Choose 3 or 4 of the following dishes to be served from the BBQ:

Prime beef burgers
Lean lamb burgers
Jumbo Cumberland sausages
Seasoned rump steak
Chicken and pepper kebabs
Cajun chicken breast
Tandoori vegetable kebabs
Whole buttered corn on the cob
Vegetable Burgers
*****
All the above are served with:
Freshly baked French Bread
Herb Roasted Potatoes
A Selection of Salads, Coleslaw
Penne Pasta with Roast Vegetables and Olives

laubabeuk  @missengaged BBQ sounds really good!! what a lovely selection to choose from! xx

missengaged  @laubabeuk Thanks hun! That's exactly what I thought!! Saying that though your bacon butties and chips sound fab, so your guests will be pleased with that.x

jen150912  @missengaged Me being a grubber (and off the diet come our wedding!!) we're having canapes for the arrival at the venue, then our meal, then a buffet... I don't want to be hungry nevermind my guests, as I'm a grumpy moo with a rumbly belly! At the end of the day, it's entirely up to you what you serve and when - I like a nibble buffet like you listed initially, lots of variety! I want a 2pm ceremony and 4.30pm for meal (speeches first) so a wee canape nibble will be needed by the time we get to the venue I expect! We haven't decided what to include in our evening buffet, as we've got the option of nibbles, hot rolls, or both.

What do YOU want?? xx

mrswilsonme  Personally we opted out of canapes because we want people to enjoy and appreciate their meal, not to mention the cost. With the evening buffet, I find (unless you're me and a bit of tucker and eat whatevers put in front of you !) that the evening buffet gets wasted and a lot of good food left because people have stuffed their faces with canapes and the meal ! As most people expect the evening buffet though and you have to cater for your evening, I would sacrifice the canapes for a higher quality buffet in the evening as people will definitely be hungry by then !!! xx

becky260512  last wedding i went to i knew we weren't gonna eat until 6.30 (they got married at 12.30 so we all ended up stopping at mc donalds on way to reception :S not the classiest look.

katebridetobe2012  what a coincidence im getting married at 12.30 and our food will be served about 3.00pm i have decided not to have canapes because we would pay £7.00 pp which would be £450 that if the minimum 60 arrive, there couuld be more, so we thought that it is too much money. im worried that people will be starving and will be moaning but its a chance im willing to take the bar will be open as well as welcome drinks and the meal is a sit down bbq so everyone can pile there plates up if they want to, i wouldnt worry, it is alot of money and people understand that it is alot not many people have canapes because they are a really big expense. no one will be offended and im sure they will have a big breakfast before they go to urs because everyone knows that there is always a little bit of waiting around at weddings, every one will be so happy chatting the time will fly bye and they will be eating the meal before you no it xx

katebridetobe2012  missengaged: thats a brilliant menu for the bbq and is that for the evening menu, thats great. what are you having for wedding breakfast, weve got a bbq for wedding breakfast and cheese board for eveing reception xx

futuremrsd  @missengaged Hi hun, we get married at 1pm so similar time. We're planning on having canapes as they come as part of the drinks package. Hoping to push the reception back to hopefully 4pm so can do lots of photos then we were just thinking of having bacon sandwiches for the evening meal but not sure if thats enough or not for an evening buffet! I think you can do without canapes though and just have a reception and buffet. You're buffet food sounds fab and I love the idea of having a BBQ- we debated this but just wasn't sure if people would be able to eat it all or not after a three course meal? Sorry I haven't been much help there but just go with what you guys want and forget about what people might expect! x

meeeshel  we're not doing canapes but i'll have my little sweetie table so people can have a little nibble if they're hungry! We'll have the rum punch and steel drums so I'm sure people will forget food!

emjleo85  @missengaged fab bbq menu x

missengaged  @jen150912 Yeah, same as you, love my food and really grouchy if I'm hungry...most of the time...ha ha!! We have decided to miss out the canapes, and pay more for the BBQ! x
@becky260512 Ha ha, no not a good look!! Luckily we are eating at 3pm so my guests won't have to do that...ha ha!!
@katebridetobe2012 Ah really, similar times!! Have you planned the day out already? Yeah, they charge so much for canapes it's ridiculous! As soon as I saw the menu for the BBQ I knew I had to have it! Sounds lush!! For the breakfast we are having smoked duck on red onion marmalade on a bed of salad! Main is baked supreme of chicken on a chorizo and onion stew with crispy rocket, dessert is milk chocolate truffle torte with strawberries and clotted cream, followed by tea/coffee and mints.
@futuremrsd I think the bacon butties would be perfectly fine for the evening reception hun, it's a winner thayt everyone loves (except veggies of course)! Our families are pigs so we know the BBQ will be demolished, even though they would of had a massive meal already! Yeah, am getting to the point now where I am sick of trying to keep everyone happy and just have what we want!! No canapes it is then...ha ha!!
@meeeshel That's a good point! They will be chatting and drinking and our harpist will be playing, along with kids running around, so will keep people busy and entertained and as you know our venue, there are different parts to the gardens/grounds for people to have a little wander!! Ooooh the rum punch and the steel drums sound fab, can I come please?!?
@emjleo85 Thanks hun.x

kirstydoll3  @missengaged With the times u hav I wouldn't bother with them coz ur meal is early. No one will miss them. I wasn't botherin with them coz thot it was a waste of money but then my mum said she would pay them coz she wants them lol. xx

happybee  @missengaged This is something I still cant quite make my mind up on. We have opted for a slightly later wedding at 2pm, and knowing me, I will be hank marvin by then, let alone my guests. However, the venue have quoted nearly £700 for canapes which is two per person.....now I know two would not fill me up and is defo not worth £700 - so ive been having a little look at alternatives. Ive found a vintage icre cream cart which you can rent for a few hours for £350, so was thinking that may be a better option. I know ice cream isnt necessarily the most filling of foods but its still something to eat and who doesnt like ice cream hey. Im hoping the weather will be lovely in August too so will be refereshing for everyone. Still undecided though As for the menu, I personally like the sound of it all but I think the BBQ sounds extra yummy! We're having a hog roast (one of H2B's must have's for the day) but the venue will also do quiches etc for the veggie's and ive also asked for a small chicken for myself and a friend (she's Jewish, im fussy) xx

missengaged  @happybee The ice cream trike is a fab idea and will save you so much money but still give your guests something! OMG £700 for 2 each, ours was costing £600 but they got 4-6pieces each for that! If I were you I would go for the ice cream....everyone loves it!! Oooh I know what you're like with your meats...ha ha....you only eat chicken!!...ha ha!!x

clareandneil2012  @missengaged I agree with the other ladies £500 is a lot of money for a few mouthfuls of food! would they not offer another choice? our reception has spoke to us about offering something like chocolate dipped strawberries instead of canapes and have quoted them costing only 25p each so much cheaper option

kookiebek  @missengaged
@jen150912 I too have a (very) healthy appetite!! Everyone said to me that I wouldn't eat on the day and I swore I would!! As I was really looking forward to the food (we had a country style pig roast rather than a sit down meal) when it came to the day I could hardly eat (call it nerves or worrying about my dress!!) so knew I would be hungry when it came to the reception. Ladies, I did manage to eat..... About half a plate of food!! A combination of nerves, boning in my dress, rushing around talking to people meant that I didn't manage anymore than that and you know what I didn't really notice!! So don't panic about a rumble tummy as I bet you don't notice on the day!!xx

mrsjohnson2b  Are you getting married at the venue or elsewhere? We have this problem and as we are having a church wedding before going to the venue, I'm leaning towards some kind of handmade cakes or nibbles after the service at the church as guests are leaving. Therefore guests with a hungry stomach will get some food, but we don't have to pay the high costs for something more formal at the venue

jellbean1982  we are having them handed out whilst the photos are being taken etc and when the guests are milling about - then straight into main course, canapes are our starter x

lozi  @happybee we're having an ice cream trike so much cheaper than canapes and something a bit different. if you havn't already booked anyone and u still want to go for it then i'd highly recommend the company we've gone with. not sure where u are but i think they cover quite a few areas. if u wanna have a look at their website its www.mattbenecciweddingicecreambikes.co.uk we got a really good deal, unlimited ice cream for the amount of hours u want, someone to serve it, choice of 6 flavours plus standard strawberry and vanilla, and couple of sauces/toppings. m m mmmmm xx

@missengaged i love the bbq idea for the evening, especially if your venues got beautiful grounds..make the most of it i say xx

essex_bride  @missengaged Hey hun. We had our ceremony at 1pm and our sit down meal wad not served until 4pm so instead of going for canapes where people stand there wondering what on earth half of them are we decided to have something called a lite bites selection. It was a selection of mini cakes and biscuits which were also served with tea's and coffees. We did it along side the welcome drinks out on the lawn and it went down really well all of the guests but dont feel you have to provide something for those 2 short hours, you will be having your meal and then what ever you decide for the evening.
As for the BBQ option I would say go for it hun. We had the BBQ for our evening reception in July and it went down a treat with everyone who attended, outside on a lovely summers evening surrounded by a lovely venue and grounds, everyone commented on how different it was to the usual finger buffet and the selection you have been given sounds great and very similar to what we had :o)

missengaged  @jellbean1982 That's a good idea, but our venue isn't very flexible with options like that....boo!!x
@lozi Fab idea hun, what a lovely touch and your guests will love it!!x
@essex_bride Our venuw unfortunately doesn't offer anything like that, only the option of nuts, breasticks etc etc, which I don't want to serve, plus they are still asking for quite a bit per head!! Does sound lovely though that you had that, and no wonder the guests love it!! I am a keen baker and something like that would have really reflected our personalities...oh wel!! Yeah, def having the BBQ option....extra per hed but will be sooooo worth it for the reasons you said!! Just pray for glorious weather as it was the grounds that sold our venue to us so will be a shame if it's wet!! Can't believe you'll be celebrating your first anniversary near to the time I get wed....how the hell did that happen...ha ha!! Hos are the boys doing?!x