Does food matter in wedding theme?

chibiyumari

My fiancée and I were gifted catering for our wedding in the form of a all you can eat sushi bar. My vision for the reception is not necessarily japanese themed though we love the Japanese culture and will be going for our honeymoon. 

I was just wondering if I choose a different theme, if anyone would think that was strange. For example if I were to go with a more rustic theme and serve sushi, would that be strange?

I'm still deciding everything as we just got engaged but this was something I wanted to know. 

ILoveBeachMusic

I'm not sure what you mean by theme. Do you mean the overall decor? Just keep it simple. You don't need lots of little signs and such.

chibiyumari

What I mean by theme is overall look, decor lighting. 

[Deleted User]

No, just because you serve sushi I wouldn't expect you to have a Japanese themed wedding. However, if you go way overboard on another theme, like rustic, I think that might be a bit weird. I'd go for more of a neutral look if I were you, like white flowers, greenery, candles, neutral coloured accents. Burlap and sushi don't really go all that well together, but as long as you are hosting people well it's not wrong to do so if that's what you want. 

SP29

Agreed. I might say, "Well that's interesting" to eat sushi in a barn, but there's nothing wrong with it. Your meal does not have to match your decor.

As a guest, regarding the meal, I am most concerned that 1) the food is cooked, stored and served properly and 2) there is enough to fill me up. As to what the meal actually is, well of course I'd like something yummy, but I really don't care.

[Deleted User]

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

DrillSergeantCat

WineAndLipgloss said:

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

That was my question also. I am not supposed to eat sushi as I am pregnant. Other people just don't like sushi. 

[Deleted User]

DrillSergeantCat said:

WineAndLipgloss said:

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

That was my question also. I am not supposed to eat sushi as I am pregnant. Other people just don't like sushi. 

From my observations, within North America (or at least anywhere I've traveled within NA) "sushi" is usually used to refer to all Japanese food and not just raw fish, ie sashimi. So in all likelihood there'd be plenty of food that a pregnant women could eat. (Whether you like it or not is another question). 

lyndausvi

Ironring said:

DrillSergeantCat said:

WineAndLipgloss said:

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

That was my question also. I am not supposed to eat sushi as I am pregnant. Other people just don't like sushi. 

From my observations, within North America (or at least anywhere I've traveled within NA) "sushi" is usually used to refer to all Japanese food and not just raw fish, ie sashimi. So in all likelihood there'd be plenty of food that a pregnant women could eat. (Whether you like it or not is another question). 

That is not my experience living in North America.  There are sushi places, there are hibachi (think Beni Hana) type places, etc.  

Some places are a combination of different styles of Japanese, but it's not always the case.     

The first sentence of the OP says all you can eat sushi bar.  To me that is only sushi.  Now in the US some "sushi" is not all raw fish, just rolls of some sort. That doesn't mean they will have chicken teriyaki either.   

OurWildKingdom

Ironring said:

DrillSergeantCat said:

WineAndLipgloss said:

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

That was my question also. I am not supposed to eat sushi as I am pregnant. Other people just don't like sushi. 

From my observations, within North America (or at least anywhere I've traveled within NA) "sushi" is usually used to refer to all Japanese food and not just raw fish, ie sashimi. So in all likelihood there'd be plenty of food that a pregnant women could eat. (Whether you like it or not is another question). 

"Sushi" actually refers to the preparation of the rice with sugar and vinegar. Sushi may have raw fish, cooked fish, or no fish at all. Around here, "sashimi" (raw fish) is generally lumped in with sushi, but most other Japanese dishes are not.

That said, I *love* Japanese and other Asian food and would be excited to see it at a wedding reception. Just make sure there are plenty of offerings besides sushi. Tempura, tonkatsu, yakitori, etc.

Jen4948

Ironring said:

DrillSergeantCat said:

WineAndLipgloss said:

I agree with the PPs, the theme doesn't need to match the food.  

I do have a question: Will you only be serving sushi?  I love sushi, but feel it's more of an acquired taste. Will there be other food options.   

That was my question also. I am not supposed to eat sushi as I am pregnant. Other people just don't like sushi. 

From my observations, within North America (or at least anywhere I've traveled within NA) "sushi" is usually used to refer to all Japanese food and not just raw fish, ie sashimi. So in all likelihood there'd be plenty of food that a pregnant women could eat. (Whether you like it or not is another question). 

I've seen all kinds of Japanese food referred to all over North America, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, sukiyaki, and various other things. Many of them aren't sushi at all. Sushi is a specific type of Japanese food.

[Deleted User]

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

levioosa

For me and my friends, "sushi" means the raw fish.  If we mean something else, we'll say something like, "Japanese steak house, teppan grill, tempura, etc."If I heard a wedding was serving sushi, I would automatically think rolls and I would not be happy.  I can do sushi places that offer other food, but if it's just straight up rolls, no thanks.  Also, most places around here specify, so when they say they are a "sushi" restaurant, they mean they mostly do rolls. Usually they have generic non fish stuff available, like chicken teriyaki, or shrimp tempura, but not always.  

[Deleted User]

I guess people I know are just more lazy when it comes to referring to types of food and uses one word as a catch all. 

But OP, this brings up a good point....what exactly does the person mean when they say they are gifting you sushi for your reception? Take a look at what is offered and make sure there are enough choices beyond *just* rolls or *just* raw fish. 

lyndausvi

Ironring said:

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

must be your friends.  If we say "lets go for sushi", we mean sushi not other Japanese food.


the first sentence said a sushi bar.   Would someone actually think it would be something other than rolls and sashimi?     I know I would never think "sushi bar" = chicken teriyaki as an option.    I read it as roll (both raw fish and other types of rolls), sashimi and nigiri.

STARMOON44

lyndausvi said:

Ironring said:

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

must be your friends.  If we say "lets go for sushi", we mean sushi not other Japanese food.


the first sentence said a sushi bar.   Would someone actually think it would be something other than rolls and sashimi?     I know I would never think "sushi bar" = chicken teriyaki as an option.    I read it as roll (both raw fish and other types of rolls), sashimi and nigiri.

Every "sushi" place I go to also serves noodles, teriyaki, tempura, dumplings, and other non rice and raw fish options. 

Id obviously check the details on this specific offer but I wouldn't find it crazy to anticipate a greater variety. 

ILoveBeachMusic

Ironring said:

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

I, too, have to disagree. When my friends say sushi, they mean sushi not hibachi or other Japanese food. If I were OP, I'd clarify what is meant by a sushi bar and keep in mind not everyone likes sushi or can eat it.

LadyCatherineDB

Many would say that cultures (and ethnicities and nationalities) cannot be themes. OP, I do not know that this applies to you, but I say this for the benefit of lurkers. Weddings that have cultures as "themes" can come across as cultural appropriation if not outright stereotypical and racist. In such cases, it's better to include a specific element of a culture rather than trying to make the culture your theme.

ei34

Yeah, in my group sushi means sushi.  I've attended lots of weddings with a sushi station at cocktail hour- is this what you're doing OP?  I think sushi is a touch too polarizing to be the only thing served.  To answer your question though, if sushi was the only food, I wouldn't think "oh, this wedding is Japanese-themed". 

PrettyGirlLost

Ironring said:

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

Your friends are using words incorrectly.

Sushi is a specific type of cuisine of Japanese origin.  When anyone I have ever known has referred to sushi, they actually mean sushi.  If people want to have hibachi or other forms of Japanese food then that's what they say.

[Deleted User]

PrettyGirlLost said:

Ironring said:

@Jen4948 I am aware what sushi is, vs other types of Japanese food. My point, and I think I just wrote it poorly, was that in my experience when someone says "let's go for sushi" they actually mean "let's for for Japanese food" and therefore, there could be options for pregnant women. 

OP, I love Japanese food and think that would be really cool to have a wedding. As people have said above, just make sure there's a variety of offerings of other types of Japanese food. 

Your friends are using words incorrectly.

Sushi is a specific type of cuisine of Japanese origin.  When anyone I have ever known has referred to sushi, they actually mean sushi.  If people want to have hibachi or other forms of Japanese food then that's what they say.

I know. So do they. I've lived in Japan. Some of them are Japanese background. For whatever reason, that is just how that is referred to here/with people I know. 
My point, is that when someone says "sushi", the OP should see exactly what is being offered and make sure there's enough variety for people who don't actually like sushi. 

DrillSergeantCat

My friends mean sushi when they say sushi. Most sushi restaurants do offer other things, but 90% of the menu is sushi rolls. When we want hibachi, we go for hibachi which also usually serves sushi. 

lyndausvi

I guess it's just me, but why in the world would people think a "sushi bar" includes hibachi and noodles?      I mean, I get that some sushi restaurants have such things, but a "sushi bar" would imply sushi. no?   

Restaurants that have a raw bar sells other fish, but the raw bar is things like shrimp, oysters, mussels, crap legs, etc.   At least in my experience people do not expect a trout on a raw bar.


Maybe it's just me.

kahluakoala

HA - 

So last night I text a few girlfriends "Hey, I'm craving sushi, anyone wanna grab some tonight". Friend A came back, "I'm down for dinner but I'm not into sushi" and I said, "Oh the place has a full menu - is this cool?" and then we all went and I got sushi and she got a chicken dish.

Jeez people are nitpicking here. Most sushi restaurants serve other food. When people "go for sushi" they go to a sushi restaurant. There are options. When you "go for sushi" is it rolls only or do you get salad and soup sometimes? Do you maybe get an appetizer? Is the point becoming or do you need me to explain it more?

PS last night I started my meal with a ginger salad.

To answer the OPs question - sushi in a barn would be a bit strange, I usually think of sushi at weddings as more of an upscale thing, but if you like it and it's free, go for it! Make sure there are also a variety of options, if it's a full japanese menu, that's fine, but you need to cater to vegetarians, non fish eaters, and non raw-food eaters. If this is a "sushi station" on top of other offerings, that's fine. If this is a variety of japenese food, that's fine, but it can't be a damn sashimi platter.

charlotte989875

If the offer is just sushi, not sushi+other Japanese cuisine, could you use the money you were budgeting toward catering to add additional options for those who don't like sushi (crazy as they may be!)?

On the decor thing, you definitely don't need to have a "Japanese-themed wedding" just because you're serving sushi. I agree an outdoor barn might be odd, but really it's not affecting anyone's comfort so I say pick whatever venue and decor you like.

AddieCake

I would find it super odd to serve sushi at a rustic wedding. I would also go hungry as I don't like sushi. So be prepared for me to take more than one slice of cake.

DrillSergeantCat

charlotte989875 said:

If the offer is just sushi, not sushi+other Japanese cuisine, could you use the money you were budgeting toward catering to add additional options for those who don't like sushi (crazy as they may be!)?

On the decor thing, you definitely don't need to have a "Japanese-themed wedding" just because you're serving sushi. I agree an outdoor barn might be odd, but really it's not affecting anyone's comfort so I say pick whatever venue and decor you like.

My concern with this is ensuring that the sushi stays the correct temperature. 

ei34

KahluaKoala said:

HA - 

So last night I text a few girlfriends "Hey, I'm craving sushi, anyone wanna grab some tonight". Friend A came back, "I'm down for dinner but I'm not into sushi" and I said, "Oh the place has a full menu - is this cool?" and then we all went and I got sushi and she got a chicken dish.

Jeez people are nitpicking here. Most sushi restaurants serve other food. When people "go for sushi" they go to a sushi restaurant. There are options. When you "go for sushi" is it rolls only or do you get salad and soup sometimes? Do you maybe get an appetizer? Is the point becoming or do you need me to explain it more?

PS last night I started my meal with a ginger salad.

To answer the OPs question - sushi in a barn would be a bit strange, I usually think of sushi at weddings as more of an upscale thing, but if you like it and it's free, go for it! Make sure there are also a variety of options, if it's a full japanese menu, that's fine, but you need to cater to vegetarians, non fish eaters, and non raw-food eaters. If this is a "sushi station" on top of other offerings, that's fine. If this is a variety of japenese food, that's fine, but it can't be a damn sashimi platter.

I feel like PPs are doing the bolded- weighing in on what they think of when they refer to "sushi"- since OP didn't specify if she was offered sushi or sushi + other Japanese options, enough to satisfy the vegetarians, etc.  Not nitpicking as much as clarifying (IMO).

lyndausvi

KahluaKoala said:

HA - 

So last night I text a few girlfriends "Hey, I'm craving sushi, anyone wanna grab some tonight". Friend A came back, "I'm down for dinner but I'm not into sushi" and I said, "Oh the place has a full menu - is this cool?" and then we all went and I got sushi and she got a chicken dish.

Jeez people are nitpicking here. Most sushi restaurants serve other food. When people "go for sushi" they go to a sushi restaurant. There are options. When you "go for sushi" is it rolls only or do you get salad and soup sometimes? Do you maybe get an appetizer? Is the point becoming or do you need me to explain it more?

PS last night I started my meal with a ginger salad.

To answer the OPs question - sushi in a barn would be a bit strange, I usually think of sushi at weddings as more of an upscale thing, but if you like it and it's free, go for it! Make sure there are also a variety of options, if it's a full japanese menu, that's fine, but you need to cater to vegetarians, non fish eaters, and non raw-food eaters. If this is a "sushi station" on top of other offerings, that's fine. If this is a variety of japenese food, that's fine, but it can't be a damn sashimi platter.

 

 I've never had a friend say "let's go out for sushi" and then order chicken.  Sure they might eat other things, but if they say "let's go out for sushi" they actually eating sushi.


Like you, I have friends who do not eat sushi tag along because there are other foods.  But again, those same friends never say "let's go for sushi" when they are planning on eating chicken.

debbeau

OP please come back and fill us in on the details.

PrettyGirlLost

KahluaKoala said:

HA - 

So last night I text a few girlfriends "Hey, I'm craving sushi, anyone wanna grab some tonight". Friend A came back, "I'm down for dinner but I'm not into sushi" and I said, "Oh the place has a full menu - is this cool?" and then we all went and I got sushi and she got a chicken dish.

Jeez people are nitpicking here. Most sushi restaurants serve other food. When people "go for sushi" they go to a sushi restaurant. There are options. When you "go for sushi" is it rolls only or do you get salad and soup sometimes? Do you maybe get an appetizer? Is the point becoming or do you need me to explain it more?

PS last night I started my meal with a ginger salad.

To answer the OPs question - sushi in a barn would be a bit strange, I usually think of sushi at weddings as more of an upscale thing, but if you like it and it's free, go for it! Make sure there are also a variety of options, if it's a full japanese menu, that's fine, but you need to cater to vegetarians, non fish eaters, and non raw-food eaters. If this is a "sushi station" on top of other offerings, that's fine. If this is a variety of japenese food, that's fine, but it can't be a damn sashimi platter.

Not really, semantics actually do matter.  Words have actual meaning that isn't up for interpretation, and adults should use the correct damn terms, especially if they  know better.

There's a huge difference between a restaurant offering a variety of Japanese cuisine, not just sushi, and adults incorrectly using the term sushi to be a catchall term for all Asian cuisine ><

DrillSergeantCat said:

charlotte989875 said:

If the offer is just sushi, not sushi+other Japanese cuisine, could you use the money you were budgeting toward catering to add additional options for those who don't like sushi (crazy as they may be!)?

On the decor thing, you definitely don't need to have a "Japanese-themed wedding" just because you're serving sushi. I agree an outdoor barn might be odd, but really it's not affecting anyone's comfort so I say pick whatever venue and decor you like.

My concern with this is ensuring that the sushi stays the correct temperature. 

This.  I would eat the entire barn if it was filled with sashimi, hand rolls, tempura rolls, etc. IF I was confident that I wasn't going to get food poisoning.

I love sushi. . . and other types of pan Asian food as well!