how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner?

how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (Full Version)

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Toppingfrmbottom -> how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:28:53 PM)
to me it seems like a waste of money and food. If you feed them really well at cocktail hour then people are to full for dinner, and I've seen some weddings where there's enough food to feel 8 or 900 people, way to much for the amount of guests they have Edited to ask was it some kind of tradition or something?

LaTigresse -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:33:04 PM)
Why eat dinner before dessert? It's no different. If a person disciplines themselves with the hors d'oeuvres they have plenty of room for dinner. If they discipline themselves at dinner, they don't have to gorge to eat dessert.

yourdarkdesire -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:42:49 PM)
Why should it matter what other people do for their wedding? If you are not paying for it, it is none of your business.

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:43:06 PM)
A lot of people see free food and they just tank up as much as possible lol. I suppose also the hour gives the people time to set up the reception room, but if I ever get married, I don't think I'd have both a cocktail hour and then dinner. I'd choose something else to pass the time. quote: ORIGINAL: LaTigresse Why eat dinner before dessert? It's no different. If a person disciplines themselves with the hors d'oeuvres they have plenty of room for dinner. If they discipline themselves at dinner, they don't have to gorge to eat dessert. quote: nes themselves with the hors d'oeuvres they have plenty of room for dinner. I

littlewonder -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:43:24 PM)
What LaTigresse said.

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:45:36 PM)
Your answer comes across as pretty nasty and trying to start something. quote: ORIGINAL: yourdarkdesire Why should it matter what other people do for their wedding? If you are not paying for it, it is none of your business.

LaTigresse -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:55:09 PM)
Then stop taking it that way. Also, given that you are questioning the food at cocktail hour, consider that most hosts prefer their guests to remain somewhat sober and under control for the bulk of the party. If you are going to serve a bunch of free alcohol to people with the same mindset you write about regarding food, imagine how disgusting the whole party would get if those same people were only drinking and not eating.

Baroana -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 6:59:58 PM)
I agree with what you guys have said, although I think it is a good question the OP asked. I think the primary reason for the cocktail hour is to keep the guests entertained while the wedding party takes post-ceremony photos. Certainly the food is good for balancing out liquor, plus people are probably getting hungry by that stage. I have to agree, however, that the snacks can make dinner extraneous for people with small appetites. For me, if I eat half a sandwich I am full for two to three hours.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:00:42 PM)
It's a wedding. Some people like big fancy weddings. I've never had a problem when faced with 'free food', but then I'm not homeless. It's only dinner.

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:09:26 PM)
Oh they'd get totally shit faced. I watch a show where 4 brides compete to win a dream honey moon, and a lot of the brides choose to have a cash bar or a totally dry wedding cause other wise they worry that some guests would over do the the drinky drinky and become a problem, or a nuisance and eye sore. And some times when there's strong drinks and no food, then people at the party did say they wished there'd been food to kind of balance the drink out, cause you don't have to go totally over board, just one drink on a light weight could make ya feel off. quote: ORIGINAL: LaTigresse Then stop taking it that way. Also, given that you are questioning the food at cocktail hour, consider that most hosts prefer their guests to remain somewhat sober and under control for the bulk of the party. If you are going to serve a bunch of free alcohol to people with the same mindset you write about regarding food, imagine how disgusting the whole party would get if those same people were only drinking and not eating.

TheHeretic -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:09:44 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Toppingfrmbottom A lot of people see free food and they just tank up as much as possible lol. You say that like it's a bad thing. [;)] Free drinks, too! The last "wedding" we went to turned out to be an April Fool's Day gag, but we brought pounds of food (very good bbq) home with us. A big wedding was never even on our radar. We just did a chapel in Vegas, with a webcast for those who couldn't come, or wouldn't fit. Reception was basically a potluck, with a couple Costco sandwich trays, at an aunt's house. BYOB. I think the idea of having so much food, for those willing and able to spend huge sums on a wedding and party, is to make it a feast, and for the families to show off.

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:13:49 PM)
Yes, some of those weddings the idea of 40 different food stations and enough food to stock a grocery store was to show off. and impress. quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic I think the idea of having so much food, for those willing and able to spend huge sums on a wedding and party, is to make it a feast, and for the families to show off.

Hillwilliam -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:33:19 PM)
If someone else is spending the money, who gives a crap about how they spend it? If you are having a wedding and are worried about your friends all getting shitfaced before the reception is going, maybe you need new friends.

yourdarkdesire -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:37:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Toppingfrmbottom Yes, some of those weddings the idea of 40 different food stations and enough food to stock a grocery store was to show off. and impress. quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic I think the idea of having so much food, for those willing and able to spend huge sums on a wedding and party, is to make it a feast, and for the families to show off. You do realize that reality tv weddings don't even resemble a normal wedding, don't you?

SilverMark -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 7:44:27 PM)
As someone who is about to pay for a wedding, in an event facillity with dinner and drinks, let me assure you, it isn't to "show off". It's for my only daughter and her soon to be husband who has gladly taken her off my hands and out of my checkbook. It is a celebration of their wedding, not a display of wealth on my part, it will be family and friends, and yes it's expensive, but I will only pay ONCE! Is it worth all of the work that has gone into it(not by me mind you, I am strictly the finance chairman) probably not, but hey, it's my little girl, and I love her! Just really glad I only have ONE DAUGHTER!

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 8:55:58 PM)
They probably are going bigger and better and more "badass" because they have something to proove, they are after all trying to beat 3 other brides for the prize honey moon, and simple and plain won't cut it, but I do know that some people do want to show off and impress every one, and want people talking about the wedding for ages to come, or to even say wow best wedding ever. I'm not a big wedding go er I've maybe been to 2 my whole life, that I can remember, but that's typical I'd assume you wanted to impress people with how nice your wedding wa.s quote: ORIGINAL: yourdarkdesire You do realize that reality tv weddings don't even resemble a normal wedding, don't you?

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 9:00:39 PM)
I suppose, If you have a large guest count, then there's the whole plus one thing and you might not know who's a lush and who can handle their drinky drinky. quote: ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam If someone else is spending the money, who gives a crap about how they spend it? If you are having a wedding and are worried about your friends all getting shitfaced before the reception is going, maybe you need new friends.

NuevaVida -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 9:06:44 PM)
It's pretty typical for any formal party to have a cocktail time with appetizers prior to dinner. Guests take time to arrive, and want to visit before immediately sitting down to eat. Drinks and appetizers occur until the scheduled dinner time, which could be an hour or two later. Appetizers are served for two reasons - to prevent drunkenness from drinking on an empty stomach, and because most folks will not have eaten for most of the day and are hungry when they arrive, and party hosts do not want their guests to be hungry or feel they are lacking. So in a formal wedding reception, there's the arrival/social time with cocktails and appetizers, then time for a toast, then dinner time, dessert time, dancing time... Most people go into weddings with the intention that it's forever, so they want a really big bash for the occasion, with all their friends and family. The size of their wedding, the amount of food, and how much they spend is entirely up to them, and not for me to concern myself with.

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 9:08:05 PM)
yeah lol my brother's wifes family has like 5 girls. so there is that to be thankful for lol. It might change when I am actually getting married and stuff, but I don't want my dad to break his bank for my wedding. I hear about wedding rings that are 3-4 months worth of a mans paycheck, and weddings that put families into debt, and I don't want none of that. I'd like to believe I'd be happy with a simple ceremony, maybe a potluck like someone is having and save all that money for a house, or a new car. I don't even want a huge fancy mega expensive ring. I've told Daddy I wouldn't want him paying more than 400 for a ring, less if he could. To me it's not the cost of the ring it's the though. Shoot for the last 4- 5 years I've worn a sterling silver band engraved with faith, love and purity, the love being on a love knot, that cost me 40 bucks, and I am utterly happy with it. quote: ORIGINAL: SilverMark As someone who is about to pay for a wedding, in an event facillity with dinner and drinks, let me assure you, it isn't to "show off". It's for my only daughter and her soon to be husband who has gladly taken her off my hands and out of my checkbook. It is a celebration of their wedding, not a display of wealth on my part, it will be family and friends, and yes it's expensive, but I will only pay ONCE! Is it worth all of the work that has gone into it(not by me mind you, I am strictly the finance chairman) probably not, but hey, it's my little girl, and I love her! Just really glad I only have ONE DAUGHTER!

Winterapple -> RE: how come a lot of weddings have cocktail hours, with lots of food right before dinner? (9/13/2012 9:21:39 PM)
My mother was a florist when I was growing up and in my student days I worked for a caterer and with a family friend who is a wedding planner, Bridezillas absolutely exist in the real world. And some people are motivated by one upping friends or relatives and showing off Personally. I was put off any desire for an elaborate wedding early on after witnessing so many up close. But to each their own and people can spend their money as they wish. As for the cocktail thing. It's main purpose is to keep people occupied while photos are being taken. You can't really expect guests to stand around peckish and thirsty. I find sit down formal dinners at weddings tedious for the most part. Food and booze stations of various stripes are a lot more fun.

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