Agree with sticking with your heavy apps idea. You could do salmon and ham or sliced roasted beef. Set up all fancy with a selection of rolls, and fixings: lettuce, tomato, good cheese, mustards for the beef. Maybe some pickled cabbage. Herb cream cheese, cucumbers, dill, red onions, capers for the salmon. Nice veggie tray to go with it.

Just get a bunch of frozen apps, charcuterie board/cheese board from Wegmans, dips/chips and veggies/fruit. Don't forget the caviar to go with the chips.

I always pick up a honey baked ham and let everyone make dollar sandwiches, I do the party potatoes on the side