More party food...

[helenahhandbasket]

Does this seem like enough food?

We are having an engagement party in May. I know it's not really the best etiquette for us to host the party ourselves, but our families and friends have yet to meet each other andplusalso SO will be 40 in May, so it's a bit of a double celebration. We will be inviting 60 adults.

We are having it at the bar that we had our first date at. It's a craft beer bar, they have 50+ beers on tap, the menu we chose will allow us to pick 30 of those beers plus wine/ liquor / mixed drinks. Great.

The part that is giving me agita is the food. Party is 4-7 which I know is dinner time but we are having passed hors D' oeuvres, and heavy apps buffet style that will be refilled as they get eaten.

Passed apps
Pigs in blankets
Mini crab cakes
BBQ boneless wings
Pulled pork sliders
Veggie dumplings

Buffet food
Cheese platter
Spinach dip w chips
Asst quesadillas
Mixed wings of various flavors
Shrimp cocktail
Fried calamari
Rigatoni a la vodka
Asst slider size pub sandwiches

Dessert
Brownies, blondies, Italian cookies and cake

We have the option to add food - hot trays of more substantial options like sausage and peppers, chicken Marsala etc for more money of course. I am sort of feeling like maybe people will expect dinner?

Or we can add more apps/ passed apps?

Advice?

[k3am]

Based on time, I'd expect dinner.

You can probably reference it as a Happy Hour or indicate heavy appetizers on the invitation so people get an idea and don't come too hungry. I don't really care if I don't get served a full meal, as long as I wasn't expecting it. (I long ago learned that a 6pm holiday party at DH's company does NOT necessarily mean dinner is being served, so unless it's clear, I eat before hand.)

Since it's in a restaurant, I think folks would also have the option of ordering something on their own if they're that famished.

[helenahhandbasket]

Thanks k3am.

Should I put something about apps on the invitation or is that tacky?

I definitely don't want anyone leaving my party and having to go out for food after. I am Italian so this is sin worse than practically anything.

[callmeKD]

I think the menu sounds good and agree to let people know it's appetizers and not a sit down dinner. I could fill up in what you listed

[frozenpeas]

Feb 28, 2017 17:00:25 GMT -5 helenahhandbasket said:

Thanks k3am.

Should I put something about apps on the invitation or is that tacky?

I definitely don't want anyone leaving my party and having to go out for food after. I am Italian so this is sin worse than practically anything.

I so know what you mean. I'm 100% Italian and we had our wedding reception at a tapas restaurant. It was a full dinner and there was more food than anyone could eat, but they resembled appetizers enough to cause quite a stir in the family. We compensated by having 3 cakes and multiple sweets tables. And an open bar, of course

ETA I realize that's not helpful, I just wanted to commiserate! Had anyone headed for the drive-thru on the way home, I never would have heard the end of it.

[seamonster]

I actually think you have enough options and they sound good. I could personally eat enough to feel like I got a meal.

[mommyatty]

That sounds like puh-lenty to me!

[helenahhandbasket]

Thanks, I think I will put "join us for cocktails, beer and apps" on the invitations just to be sure!

[rere26]

Where I come from, most parties are what we call "finger foods", and that is it. I personally love most appetizers more than many meals. That sounds like plenty and very tasty.

[erinshelley21]

I think you have plenty! No need to add more. With it ending at 7 that gives people enough time to get dinner afterwards if they didn't get enough to eat.

[2chatter]

I think if you are clear, people will be in a "fill up on apps" instead of "snack before a meal" mode. Totally not the same, but we have these work cocktail things in NY and people complain that it's not a MEAL. It's a similar spread of apps - I think it's the best thing ever. Way less boring than a sit down meal and awesome variety. Prepare yourself not to care about the opinions of the haters.

[saraml13]

I would not expect a sit down dinner at an engagement party. To me, they are cocktail party affairs which means standing around drinking and eating mostly finger food. What you described seems like plenty of food to me and is exactly what I would expect for this party, even without you mentioning anything on the invites. Especially at 4-7, I would expect that there would be heavy apps but I would also keep in mind that I had the option to grab some quick pizza or something afterwards if I felt like I didn't get a full meal.

[Widget123]

Feb 28, 2017 19:01:42 GMT -5 helenahhandbasket said:

Thanks, I think I will put "join us for cocktails, beer and apps" on the invitations just to be sure!

I think that wording sounds good. You listed so many apps, I personally can't imagine adding more food, it sounds like plenty.

[helenahhandbasket]

Thanks all, I ask because I saw that vista print was having a 50% off sale so I wanted to order.

I added the note about apps and drinks on the invite👍

[mommyatty]

Btw with that menu, I want to get on a plane and come to the party. You had me at assorted quesadillas.

[sudokufan]

Mar 1, 2017 10:08:34 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Btw with that menu, I want to get on a plane and come to the party. You had me at assorted quesadillas.

Me too!  I'm a sucker for quesadillas.  Also pulled pork sliders.
Save

[helenahhandbasket]

Ha! Yes! I love them too, they were a must have

[erinshelley21]

She had me at app buffet. Appetizers are my favorite food.

[k3am]

It's decided. You need to have another engagement party for TCF. We'll all chip in to cover the cost. Your SO need not make an appearance.

[helenahhandbasket]

Lol k3am

[liziz]

And we'll all get matching shirts? Please?

[helenahhandbasket]

Yes they will say "TCF Bitches" I will order from etsy lol.

liziz

[billybumbler]

:: orders matching shirt ::
:: books plane ticket ::

[erinshelley21]

I was getting ready to say if the shirts don't say "bitches" then I don't want one.

[mustardseed2007]

TCF Bitches!!!