Many invitations state appetizers and/or hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Are they just synonyms or is there really a difference?

What is the difference between appetizers and hors d’oeuvres?

Hors d’oeuvres are served BEFORE the meal and can be associated with finger foods, i.e. no utensils provided.

Appetizers are served DURING the meal as a first course.

Some examples of hors d’oeuvres would be something on a piece of bread, toast point, cracker, etc. such as pate, smoked salmon and caviar, etc.

Also, if you see that your invitation says heavy hors d’oeuvres, that means that there is no meal afterward, they ARE the meal vs. appetizers, which usually means there is a meal to follow.

You might like:

• Pan Seared Scallops
• Bacon Bundled BBQ Shrimp Recipe
• Skinny Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Rosemary Roasted Cashews
• Tangy Cocktail Franks
• Hot Corn Dip
• Four Cheese Stuffed Silly Mushrooms

Shop all our Party Invitations