My daughter and I have decided to reduce the budget for her wedding reception, and with the wedding two weeks away we want to find good, elegant and FRUGAL appetizers, and serve an appetizer reception instead of a buffet. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!
Mom,you've made a wise choice!!I once catered a wedding for well over 100 and stayed within a $250 budget. May I make a few suggestions? Meatballs and L'il Smokies slowcooked in Barbeque sauce with a jar of Grape jelly.(You can buy frozen meatballs-it goes farther to add chopped onions to hamburger-add onions-roll your own-bake-then slow cook.I also bought a nice big ham and made SMALL biscuits from flour and whipping cream--doing them small makes a LOT!I made Tuna Salad (use WHITE Tuna,relish,chopped eggs,Miracle whip and a drop of white Vinegar (to take away the FISHY taste) and I made Chicken salad.Boil chicken breasts,mix using Miracle whip AND a little Mayonaise,add chopped eggs,cut-up Grapes and pecan pieces,add a few drops of Lemon Juice to whiten the chicken) I served these on croissants from Walmart bakery(the smaller ones).I made a big crock of Mexican dip and Tortilla chips.Dill chip dip and Ranch chip Dip.Do your own fruit and Vegetable trays.You can get twice as much for half the price.Most Dollar Tree stores sell aluminum trays and covers.In fruit trays I had Oranges,Apples(green and Red)Cantelope,Watermelon,fresh cut-up Pineapple.(Be sure to soak Apples in Sprite until time to put on tray.) Vegetable trays included Celery,Brocoli florets,Cauliflour,baby Carrots and tiny Tomatoes.I had 2 trays EACH and backups left.You could do cheese trays.Cheaper if you cut your own but to save time you can buy it already cubed.PASTA SALADS go a long way.
One important thing I failed to mention...you CANNOT do this alone when it comes to assembly.ASK 2-3 RELIABLE friends or family members for assistance.They'll be flattered you asked and it makes the load lighter--less stress on you!I did it all myself but before the reception I had help getting it together.The mother of the bride was so pleased she gave me a nice BONUS which I hadn't counted on.Wish I lived close.I'd have been glad to help.Again---Good Luck!!!
I LOVE DOING THESE TYPE OF THINGS...THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN....And I agree with everything Sharon said....she has some wonderful ideas. One thing she mentioned was cup cakes....for my daughter's wedding we did a small 2 tier cake for pictues and then bought a COSTCO cake....real reasonable. Another thing that is fun is those "chocolate fountains"...you can have cut fruit to dip the chocolate in....and a fun thing to do is to mix your fruit but make your bowl out of a watermelon...just cut the top "ends: off, leaving a handle in the middle, scoop out the fruit and fill...I have done this for weddings, shower, jack and jills and it is always a hit....
I used to cater and LOVE doing cocktail type things. One of the favorites was crab-stuffed deviled eggs. For each dozen eggs, discard half the yolks. Rub the remaining yokes through a mesh seive with a spoon into a bowl, add a can of rinsed, picked-over crab, mayo, a couple of drops of Tabasco.
I would suggest an assortment of crackers, cheeses, cream cheese spreads, vegetable dips, fresh, raw vegetables, mild & medium salsa, red pepper jellies, and an assortment of fresh fruits & berries.
Divide your presentation platters into 5 types
Fruits & Cheeses
Veggies & Dips
Creamcheeses & fruits
Crackers & Cheeses
Crackers, Creamcheeses & Salsa
Present 1/2 of your appetizers assembled
and the remaining 1/2 unassembled for your guests to try their own combinations
Examples of Fruit & Cheese platter unassembled:
Old White Cheddar
Medium Marble
Red & Green SEEDLESS grapes
Thinly sliced cantelope
Pineapple "bites"
Cheese knife
Example of Crackers, Creamcheese & Salsa/redpepper jelly -assembled and unassembled
I like Bagel Bites and whole wheat crackers for this one
On each Bagel Bite spread a nice amount of creamcheese, then top with a little salsa or red pepper jelly - thats it.
Creamcheese & watercress on a Bagel Bite is quite a nice combination to try as well.
Fruit with a Fruit Dip Platter
For the fruit dip
blend together a jar of soft marshmellow (Kraft) with 2 blocks of plain creamcheese until very smooth.
Put the mixture into a bowl in the centre of your platter. Surround with an assortment of raspberries, strawberries, cantalope, honeydew melon & seedless grapes.
In order to give your reception an elegant feel, make sure all your platters match- all white . Plain platters, with small simply decorated napkins make an elegant statement, and at a small cost.
(the Dollar Store is a great place for both platters and small napkins) Also, line each platter with paper doillies, they too are available from the Dollar Store. Plus they stop the food on the platter from sliding around.
Remember to use things like mint leaves, parsley, watercress to garnish your platters. Fresh edible flowers, such as violets & nastursums are a lovely addition to the fruit/cheese platters.
You will be very busy with so many things in the next few weeks, my suggestions are ones that if you can delegate help from a couple of friends with the platters, its pretty self explainatory stuff to put together an no one has to cook a thing. It can all be done the morning of the wedding in a matter of perhaps 2 hours. Plus if you get really pushed for time, you can buy most of the raw veggies ready cut up ready to assemble.
Have a lovely time, hope some of these ideas are useful for you.....:0)
I would agree with everything that has already been said here, but have a few additions:
-Cake: Costco has some of the best cakes ever that can be customized to your liking and they're only $14.99 each! I heard for months after my wedding that the cake was the best they'd had for the entire wedding season.
-Presentation is key. Any food can look cheap if its not arranged in a nice manner. Use doilies from the dollar store, umbrellas - anything that matches the theme really. Just make sure it looks like you put as much thought into the food as you did the rest of the wedding! Use nicer platters and such from the thrift store instead of plastic bowls, etc.
-Remember to get help, and plan, plan, plan. The less you have to think the day of the wedding, the more you will enjoy yourself. The internet abounds with instructions on when you can plate things.
I always have a big Christmas party at our home. The one thing that I make, everyone loves. Buy hotdogs, cut into three's. Use a pound of bacon, cut into three's also. Wrap around the hotdog pieces, put into baking pan, single layers. Take a couple of handfuls of brown sugar and sprinkle over these. Bake at 375 degrees until they are crispy. Make sure you spray the baking pan with pam first. These are very good.
A lot of these are great suggestions, but not completely wedding-appropriate in my opinion.
This is an appetizer reception, so you'll want to keep things fresh, elegant, and uncomplicated.
Try to have one or two more substantial items- this will help you achieve the more elegant feeling. Maybe miniature crabcakes, or Greek-style meatballs (google a recipe, they are tasty as heck!)...make these your big splurge.
Pigs in a blanket are always good-HOWEVER- here is a cute little way caterers fancy them up- sprinkle sesame seeds on top after you egg-wash the dough. Serve with a bowl of good dijon mustard.
Bean salad. Colourful and light for summer with lots of veggies, cheap, and EASY. Also ditto on the pasta salad. Good cheese, and roasted veggies will make this light and delicious, for little money.
I would stay away from cream-cheese dips. Try a nice spread with hummus, tzatziki, babaganoush, spinach/artichoke dip (all these recipes can be found online, and the ingredients can be purchased cheaply). Add sliced french bread, pita bread, a couple of types of olives. This will go over in a huge way.
Yes on a cheese and fruit platter.
The individualized desserts are an adorable idea.
And I agree with the presentation. It is so important. Natural materials and garnishes add an expensive feel. Browse online for ideas, and re-invent them in cost effecient ways! Good luck! And congrats!
how about chicken breast tenders cut into bitesize, wrapped in bacon, and rolled in brown sugar, nice showing, pretty reasonable for price, and these little suckers are really good. you can also do meat cut into bitesize, marinated with just about anything, beef or pork are great marinated or cooked in some kind of sweet or teriaki, with a toothpick
Stuffed mushrooms, shrimp tree (buy the shrimp at Sam's), meatballs is a major plus and always always go w/ veggie and fruit platter. I made homemade fortune cookies at my wedding and had cute little "fortunes" rolled up in them.
tortilla pinwheels always a big hit and you can
premake just
spread a flour tortillas with mix of
creamcheese, salsa, and shredded cheese and one sliced, diced, jalapeno
roll tortilla up tight and wrap in plastic wrap
and leave in frig up to one day in advance then
take out slice and set on plate
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salsa dip
Mix
cream cheese, salsa, shredded cheese, chopped
green chilis (not spicy) or Rotel
mix well refrig for a day or two in advance
serve with chips
*note* it is tasty and does not make a mess
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black bean dip
one can of black beans
salsa
shoepeg (white) corn and one yellow corn
mix it all up in bowl and great salsa fresh and good
serve with chips
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cold melons
watermelon squares
cantaloupe melon balls
honeydew melon balls
cut and FREEZE till day of
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Definitely a nice fruit and cheese display:melon balls, grapes, apples, pears, bananas, goat cheese, cheddar, bleu, brie,etc. Add specialty crackers on the side. A vegetable platter with an herb dip. Spinach Salad, Caesar Salad, shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip with crostinis, hummus or tzatzki dip, scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushroom caps, mini crab cakes, spanikopita, potato cakes with a dollop of creme fresh and red caviar, smoked salmon atop sliced cucumbers with a dill sourcream and a caper, mini beef and chic skewers, mini beef and chix wellingtons, proscuitto wrapped melon, mini bloody marys... hope that helps, those are the kinds of things we are doing for our wedding and we as well decided on only serving hor'doeveres. We are making everything ourselves...it definitely saves money.
Definitely a nice fruit and cheese display:melon balls, grapes, apples, pears, bananas, goat cheese, cheddar, bleu, brie,etc. Add specialty crackers on the side. A vegetable platter with an herb dip. Spinach Salad, Caesar Salad, shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip with crostinis, hummus or tzatzki dip, scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushroom caps, mini crab cakes, spanikopita, potato cakes with a dollop of creme fresh and red caviar, smoked salmon atop sliced cucumbers with a dill sourcream and a caper, mini beef and chic skewers, mini beef and chix wellingtons, proscuitto wrapped melon, mini bloody marys... hope that helps, those are the kinds of things we are doing for our wedding and we as well decided on only serving hor'doeveres. We are making everything ourselves...it definitely saves money.
Definitely a nice fruit and cheese display:melon balls, grapes, apples, pears, bananas, goat cheese, cheddar, bleu, brie,etc. Add specialty crackers on the side. A vegetable platter with an herb dip. Spinach Salad, Caesar Salad, shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip with crostinis, hummus or tzatzki dip, scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushroom caps, mini crab cakes, spanikopita, potato cakes with a dollop of creme fresh and red caviar, smoked salmon atop sliced cucumbers with a dill sourcream and a caper, mini beef and chic skewers, mini beef and chix wellingtons, proscuitto wrapped melon, mini bloody marys... hope that helps, those are the kinds of things we are doing for our wedding and we as well decided on only serving hor'doeveres. We are making everything ourselves...it definitely saves money.
Im planning a wedding for my daughter as well. She has consented to having a very modest one. Appetizers all the way! I had some ideas; but I'm tired of doing the same ole thing. Unfortunately, it takes money to go beyond the norm. I'm trying to remember that it is her wedding! One question: should I or should I not mention on the invitation that it is an appetizer reception? Should I care?
Time of day for the wedding seems to indicate the food served. If you are having it at dinner time or lunch time, you owe a meal.
If you are having it at an 'off time', then people expect cake, coffee, punch, snacks.
If you planned it at meal time, but are only serving appetizers, have someone discretely make phone calls letting the guests know, or there might be some low sugar grumpy guests at the wedding.
2 sticks cream cheese
1 package of Ranch seasoning mix
2 cans shredded crab meat
1/2 bottle of cocktail sauce
Mix cream cheese and seasoning mix, spread over plate or serving dish. Pour cocktail sauce on top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle crab meat on top of the cocktail sauce and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This appetizer looks beautiful and will be a big hit! These ingrediants serve approx 6 people, so plan accordingly.
I need help in knowing how much to buy for our wedding reception. We are planning on watermelon, cantalope, honeydew, strawberries and kiwi. Broccoli, baby carroots, colored peppers. sliced ham and cheese sandwiched and piminto cheese sandwiches. mints/nuts and assorted cookies. As a gift we are getting 2 cheese/cracker trays. The cake will be sheets from Sam's and a round cake for us to cut. The punch will be gingerale and fruit juice (or any suggestion of a good one!) My wedding is March 14, 2009 I appreciate any feed back. We are on a limited budget(as most are) $250-$300
One thing I try to do at an appetizer party to make the guests get full quicker is to use recipes that have bread in them. One really cheap thing is to make small rolls. I have a dinner roll recipe and it makes 75 small rolls. Then cut and butter the little rolls, and fill with some shaved ham. Secure them with a toothpick.
For 75 rolls it only uses about 1 1/2 pounds of ham. Inexpensive and cute as a bug. You can also do this with roast beef or egg salad. When I make egg salad, I slice olives and secure an olive slice on top.
You can also make tiny cream puff shells and fill with a shrimp salad or crab salad mixture. Another bread item is a boboli spread with a cream cheese/ranch dressing layer and the top with chopped vegetables. That also works for the vegetarians in the crowd.
Another thing you could do is take a baguette and slice lengthwise, take out some of the breading (with your fingers), fill the baguette with a layer of cream cheese mixed with minced garlic, layer of arugula, layer of dried off chopped artichokes, layer of roasted peppers (dried off), spread the inside of the top of the bread with some goat cheese (or more of the cream cheese/garlic mixture), slap the top on and cut in slices that have been secured with toothpick.
If you have the appetizers passed people tend to eat less and it looks more elegant. Anything wrapped in bacon works--fake crab, scallops, dates stuffed with almonds, water chestnuts that have been sprinkled with soy sauce, etc.
For my New Year's Day party, I have broiled the bacon wrapped things the day before and just warmed them up in the oven on the day of the party. One thing that is easy is to buy bourbon chicken (frozen section) at BJs and cut them into smaller pieces and stick a toothpick in the pieces. The also have a ton of frozen appetizers at BJs that are good. Good luck and enjoy the day.
To Andy, Would you please post the recipe for the 75 small rolls. My granddaughter is getting married in June and this sounds like something that would be good. Thank you so much
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I need some ideas and appetizer recipes for a wedding reception that won't break the bank, but will make daughter happy. Any ideas?
By Lyne Beckman from Prineville, OR
Don't forget a meat tray of summer sausage, etc ;-) Assorted crackers, bruschetta, hummus on pita bread triangles or bagel crisps and:
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Mediterranean Cucumber Appetizer
1 cucumber, sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 Tbsp Red bell pepper, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 cup hummus, flavor of your choice
3 Tbsp Feta cheese, crumbled
Arrange cucumber slices on serving plate/tray. Top each cucumber slice with a dollop of hummus. Sprinkle each cucumber with Feta and finish by topping with red bell pepper.
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Or might try my recent creation that can be made in large batches ahead and can even be frozen then thawed the day before and still taste great heated or room temp ;-)
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs ala Deeli
1 lb ground chicken (light, dark or combination)
2 tbls onions, finely diced
12 saltine crackers, crushed
2 tbls olive oil
1/2 cup Durkee or Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/2 cup butter
Celery sticks
Blue Cheese Dressing - I recommend Marie's Chunk Blue Cheese, yum ;-)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the hot sauce and butter in a small saucepan over low heat stirring occasionally.
Combine chicken, onions and crackers and then round into dollar size balls. Brown the meatballs in a large skillet with the olive oil on medium heat. Transfer the meatballs into a baking dish.
Smother the meatballs with the hot sauce and butter sauce, cover baking dish and bake for 45 minutes.
Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side.
I've done a few weddings myself for my neices and nephews. You can make a cheese ball with cream cheese, Worcestershire, green onions and ham. Everyone loves and it isn't that expensive. Or you can put the mix of cream cheese, Worcestershire and onions together spread on ham, roll them up and cut them into 1/2 inch slices. These are a big hit, I am always asked to make this.
I also did a pickle tray of just a few things like dills, sweets, okra and olives. We do finger sandwiches and chips also. One of my nieces was asked if her wedding was professionally catered. I was also at a wedding recently where they had this cream cheese with cocktail sauce and tiny shrimp on it. The recipe is on the frozen pack of shrimp from the store. Little smokies are also good cooked in a crock pot with bbq sauce. Pigs in a blanket is a good idea also. There are also these little pizza things, go to the deli and get some bread to slice, put spaghetti sauce on it, with pepperoni and cheese and put in the oven as soon as cheese is melted they are ready to go. Hope these help.
You can put cream cheese on ham an roll it up on a dill pickle and then slice it, or cream cheese, little green onions and ham rolls, or open face tomato sandwich take a cup of mayo and a cup of fried bacon chopped up mix together over night in ice box. Then put on french bread slices with a tomato on top just before serving.
My daughter married in February, and I did the catering for 150 people on my own by starting in the October before and freezing stuff as I went along. I made tiny chicken turnovers, Italian rice balls, both freezable recipes from allrecipes.com., plus hummus, blue cheese dip (with yogurt instead of mayo), which I also froze with no problems at all. Sandwiches (made at the last minute), apple sheet cake, bake well tart (which both froze and thawed beautifully). Plus nibbles like chips, peanuts and some ready made frozen vegetable samosas and spring rolls. I also made pizza which I froze as well. Everybody was so impressed, and I made plenty! Long as you have LOTS of food and a reasonable variety, you can't really go wrong.
I am having an outside wedding and there isn't anywhere to keep food hot or cold. The wedding is in April, however we till have coolers to keep things cold if needed. My problem is I can't figure out easy appetizers that would be safe to have.
By Misti W
Will there be electrical outlets? If so, you could use crock pots with things like meatballs and the little cocktail wieners with bacon wrapped around them. For cold things you could do deli meat roll-ups with cream cheese, Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix or dip mix with a little dab of milk, and chopped green onions with assorted crackers. Cheese assortment with assorted crackers. Sam's has those little pinwheels. There's always assorted fruits.
What about an elaborate salad bar? Everything, meat included, could be kept over ice for safety. You could include regular salads and other salads (potato, macaroni, etc) and some sweets too.
I would suggest cold appetizers and lots of interesting containers full of ice...the salad bar, with pickles and cheeses sounds great. A variety of small crackers would be safe to serve with the salads.
I am trying to put together an hor d'oeuvres only menu for an evening wedding reception (in the fall) of approx. 50-55 guests. I know I have to make heavy hor d'oeures for everyone not to be hungry. What kinds of hor d'oeuvres should I prepare? If anyone has recipes that they would want to share I would appreciate it. Also I appreciate all input and suggestions! =)
By PLB2PLC
Finger sandwiches are good. Cut the crust off of bread, make the sandwiches, and cut in half on the diagonal. You can match the type to your wedding - bbq, tuna salad on toast, roast beef, etc. buy the meat bulk to save money. For deli meat and cheese, they will slice for you too. Fancy spreads really up the game of a plain sandwich. Try gourmet mustard or garlic mayo (aoili).
Another good idea is several types of crackers with hard meats and cheeses. Again, buy bulk at the deli and have them cut it for you.
If you want to get real fancy try asparagus lightly steamed, spread with boursin cheese, and wrapped in prosciutto. Bake until the edges crisp. It's pricey, but good and impressive. Also, get a mini-cupcake pan and make baby quiche.
I am a huge fan of fresh fruit for dessert. That way it won't compete with the cake.
Congratulations and good luck.
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I am planning a wedding and am trying to create a menu of appetizers. Currently I have shrimp cocktail and a fruit tray with cheese.
