Hello! This is my first post!
I got engaged a month ago and my FI and I actually booked our ceremony and reception site last weekend. We're getting married at a GORGEOUS 30 acre farm in Little Rock next September. My FI grew up in Arkansas and we met in college in Arizona where I'm from, and we moved to Arkansas together about six months ago. I'm still basically brand new to southern culture.
Anyway, I always pictured getting married somewhere modern and glamorous like a luxe hotel or big loft, and serving something fancy and exotic. Much to my surprise, after touring a loft, an art museum and a presidential library I had lukewarm feelings. We visited this farm and I had one of those bride moments where I knew it felt right and I cried and then we signed our contract. So now, I'm having my reception in a barn yard, literally, and I could not be more excited.
Since my side of the guest list is all travelling from AZ or New England, I thought it would be kind of fun to show them some of the local dishes. We're meeting with our caterer next month, but I was hoping to come up with some ideas before then. I basically want classed up southern food, or maybe even barbeque (although that sounds like bad news for my gown!) The problem is, for whatever reason I have quite a few vegetarian/vegan guests on my side. I can't think of how to do a vegetarian southern style entree, AT ALL. Does anyone have any suggestions on this at all?