What Kind of Food Should I Serve at My Wedding?
Aside from your dress and the look on the groom's face as he sees his bride for the first time walking down the aisle, one of the most important aspects of your wedding is your menu. Create the perfect wedding menu by first considering what time of day your wedding reception begins and whether or not your wedding is formal or informal.
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Hors D'oeuvres
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Hors D'oeuvres are appropriate for any type of wedding: indoor, outdoor, formal, informal, day or evening weddings. The best hors d'oeuvres are simple, delicious and creative. Because it's your wedding day skip the cheese and crackers and chips and dip in favor of items such as duck quesadillas and smoked salmon tartar. Outdoor and daytime weddings are the perfect opportunity to serve fruit and vegetables as an hors d'oeuvre, so long as you dress them up more than just placing them on a tray. Serve slices of watermelon, grape tomatoes and cucumber on small white plates drizzled with a sweet sauce or light cream.
Buffets
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Buffet dinners are typically more appropriate for informal weddings. When choosing a menu for your buffet dinner opt for at least two options for each part of the meal, such as two salad choices, two entrees and two side dishes. Offer guests a choice of salad, dinner rolls, a main dish and a side dish. Beef, chicken and fish are all appropriate for a buffet style dinner; talk to your caterer about how you want each dish cooked. For example, do you want grilled chicken in a lemon butter sauce or chicken Alfredo? Include a starch and a vegetable for side dishes, such as some form of potato and anything green.
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Sit Down Dinners
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When you opt for a sit down dinner for your wedding reception you should make your final menu selections prior to ordering your wedding invitations so you can include a card with the invitation asking guests to specify which of a few meal options they'd like to have. Have two or three different main dishes so your guests have the option of choosing what they'd like. Ideally, offering a red meat, white meat or seafood option is the best solution. Your chosen sides should go with each meat. Salads, dinner rolls and vegetables are always a safe choice. Your guests are served in their seats by the wait staff at your venue or from your catering company.
Desserts
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Contrary to popular belief your wedding cake does not have to be the only dessert at your wedding. You can have a candy buffet or a selection of mouth watering desserts that will keep your guests coming back for more -- and jokingly accusing you for making them gain five pounds at your reception. Cupcakes, cookies, pie, cheesecakes and candy are all delicious sweet treats your guests will enjoy. Have your cake baker create cupcakes that are miniature versions of your wedding cake and cookies that have your names and wedding date on them. Place a candy bar on each guest's place setting with a personalized wrapper stating your name, wedding date and a short thank you for attending.
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References
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