I am getting married at Pellegrini Vineyards next fall. We are on a tight budget and were thinking about having a cocktail wedding. Has anyone done this? I think it will be classy and will allow my guests to mingle and stroll around the vineyards. If anyone out there is also thinking of this, can I ask what you will be serving and what caterer you are using? I went to a wedding down south where the reception was strictly hor d'oevres. Some were passed butler style but the majority were just displayed on tables and the guests helped themselves. The caterers that I have spoken to are trying to talk me into having 'theme' stations (ex: mexican station, sushi station) this is not exactly what I had in mind and I am having trouble finding someone who will do what I want. Help!! Thanks for any and all advice.
wacky
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Re: Cocktail Reception??
Keep looking for caterers who wil do what oyu want. I wanted the same thing but Fi got his way. Good luck
DaniRN
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Re: Cocktail Reception??
I can't exactly help you but I want to say a cocktail reception is a nice idea for a tight budget. So many weddings I have been have great cocktail hrs and you are so full to eat dinner. Sometimes the cocktail is the best part.
Stacey1403
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Re: Cocktail Reception??
go for it! Sounds like a different and fabulous idea! I would try to have quite a few passed butler style. Keep looking until you find what you want. Try posting on the vendor board! Hope this helps
Tammy5-03
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I think its a great idea, I would enjoy it as a guest. I'm sure you will find a caterer who can give you what you want. Good luck.
Claud2001
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Gretchen, your idea sounds lovely! i hope that you can truly pull it off without anyone foiling your plans!! I only say this b/c I originally wanted just a cocktail reception, but every time I spoke to a caterer, they said that I couldn't have an affair with just hors d'vours, cake, champagne and cocktails. That they simply couldn't do it for the number of people I was planning to host (approx. 120)
Unfortunately, the majority of people in this region are so accustomed to throwing elaborate, gawdy affairs, that anything simple yet sophisticated is often scoffed at for no reason. Plus, people tend to look down upon affairs that don't have an over-abundance of food, so steel yourself to the tiresome bashing you'll receive for not having a full cocktail hour PLUS a 'stuff yourself silly' sitdown meal.
All that stuff aside, you can try the following caterers: The Mixing Bowl Eatery in Bellmore;
that is a FABULOUS idea! My husband and I wanted to do that and as we were researching it we found out that it would have cost us just as much to do that as if we would have a full sit down meal. We decided to go for the full meal but I alomost wish we had kept searching to do the cocktail reception!!
Best of luck with your search!!
Sassy
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Gretchen, I LOVE your idea, keep looking for a caterer that will do what you want. It sounds so elegant, your guests will love it.
Marnles
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I think it's a great idea! Actually, if it were up to my FH, all we would be serving is cocktail hour food anyway - that's his absolute favorite!!!! Definitely go for it - I'm sure everyone will love it!! (Gosh, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it)
curly2003
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Sounds very chic, I love it!!!!
Jennifer1994
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Hi Gretchen, My fiance and I are doing this type of reception. We are getting married at the Gristina Galluccio vineyards next fall also. The cost is about the same as if you were having a dinner. We are doing different types of hors d'oeuvres. Some are passed butler style and some will be at tables. The entire theme of the wedding is a little more casual than the 'normal' affairs. If you have anymore questions you can forum mail me.
dubliner
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Go for it - I think its agreat idea, and I love the vineyards.
I have the name of a caterer I am using for the RD and they seem pretty cool, and really helpful. they are Felico's and are in Melville. Here's the number 631-777-1999
Good luck, and don't give up maybe the vineyard can recommend someone???
jennyg
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I am also having a cocktail reception...actually we are having a cocktail hour with passed plates and a sushi station then the reception will have a pasta station, carving station and vegetable crudite. It wound up being the same amount as a sit down but my FI and I had been to a wedding Tenessee (its the norm in the south) and absolutley loved it. People are free to dance or eat whenever they want and it feels a bit more sophisticated.
The one thing they suggested was having a plated salad just to add a little structure to the event. You can do toasts etc when the salad comes so everyone is sitting at the same time for at least a few minutes.
I think Gristina/Gallucio has a great caterer - can't remember the name though.
nrvbrd
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I think it sounds like a great idea. I think the cocktail hour is the best part anyway.
It will be lovely and elegant and very different.
SeptemberBride03
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Friends of the family got married in Utah and a lot of people couldn't afford to go (me, included!) so when the newlyweds came to visit their parents in NY 2 weeks ago, their parents threw them a cocktail party which was kind of like a mini wedding - it was great! I love the idea!
