Should You Have Canapés Before Dinner?

If you're planning your wedding, you've probably spent plenty of time thinking about what you'd like to serve for dinner. But what about the time between your ceremony and the main meal?

In our opinion, cocktail hour is one of the most fun parts of the entire day, and adding roaming canapés is one of the best ways to make the most of it.

One of the most memorable parts of your wedding

The ceremony has just finished and everyone is buzzing. Congratulations are being shared, hugs are being exchanged, and conversations are flowing as family and friends come together.

Cocktail hour is in full swing and, in our opinion, it's one of the most special parts of your wedding day.

You don't want anything to interrupt the flow or feeling of this moment, which is exactly why roaming canapés work so well. Rather than asking guests to line up at a buffet or leave conversations to find food, our team seamlessly weave through the crowd with platters of delicious canapés, allowing everyone to continue mingling and simply enjoy being together.

Your guests are usually ready for something to eat

By the time cocktail hour begins, most of your guests have already had a big day.

They've spent the morning getting ready, travelled to your ceremony and celebrated with you through one of the most exciting moments of the day. By now, many guests are ready for a drink and something delicious to eat.

Roaming canapés are the perfect way to satisfy those first signs of hunger while keeping the relaxed atmosphere of cocktail hour alive. They provide enough to keep everyone comfortable and content before moving into your main dining experience.

The atmosphere is unlike any other part of the day

There's something special about cocktail hour!

The formalities of the ceremony are over, everyone has relaxed, and the excitement of the celebration is really beginning to build. Guests are introducing themselves, catching up with family, sharing stories and raising a glass together.

It's one of the few times during the day where everyone is free to move around, chat with different groups and enjoy the moment at their own pace.

Adding canapés simply enhances that experience. They become part of the conversation rather than interrupting it, allowing guests to enjoy incredible food without ever leaving the celebration.

The perfect beginning to your dining experience

One of the biggest misconceptions is that canapés replace your main meal.

In reality, they work beautifully alongside banquet or plated dining.

Think of canapés as the opening chapter of your dining experience. They welcome guests into the celebration, keep everyone comfortable during cocktail hour and naturally lead into your seated dinner.

Whether you've chosen a generous banquet feast or a beautifully plated menu, adding canapés beforehand creates a seamless transition from ceremony to reception.

So, should you add canapés?

If you ask us, absolutely!

After catering more than a thousand weddings and events, we've seen firsthand how much canapés add to the overall experience. They keep guests comfortable, encourage conversation, maintain the energy of cocktail hour and create a relaxed transition into dinner.

For us, they're about much more than serving food. They're about protecting one of the happiest, most social and memorable moments of your wedding day.