Is an hors doeuvre reception a less expensive alternative to a full meal?
If the reception is early to mid afternoon or later in the evening, a light hors d’oeuvre buffet is fine. The closer the time is to the dinner hour, the heavier the hors d’oeuvre service should be because your guests will be expecting a more substantial meal since mealtime is near. An hors d’oeuvre buffet that is offered close to a mealtime will require more food and ultimately be more expensive than a buffet meal.
