A Light Dinner for the Reception

maadee91

My fiance and I want to do a evening wedding, beginning around 5 pm. We were thinking of having a Californian-style light dinner as opposed to something more heavy/ hearty (like steaks or chicken cordon bleu). Specifically, we were thinking of recreating the menu of the restaurant where I had my first job: a lunch cafe. This would consist of chicken/ tuna salad sandwiches, chicken/tuna salad salads (the mayo-based salad on top of greens), and ham/ turkey foccacia sandwiches. We would put plates of fresh artisan breads and fruit of each table (family-style). We would be having a extensive dessert bar, with several different types of cakes, pies, etc. Do you guys think that is too "light" for dinner? We're hearing feedback that those foods aren't appropriate for the time of day. Thanks!!!

GoodLuckBear14

I think it's too heavy on the mayo.  I'm one of those people who is sick for three days if I even taste it.

I would add a lot more side dishes of the veggie variety if you are going to do this. 

ETA - you also need to consider the formality of your wedding.  If you are having a casual wedding, this would be fine.  If it is at all formal, what you are planning is not appropriate.

maadee91

Thanks for the veggie recommendation and for the note about mayo! Those are great ideas. 

The wedding is definitely more casual than formal... it would be "dressy casual", I guess. Again, thanks!

RebeccaB88

Honestly, it sounds more like a luncheon to me.  I'd probably get hungry a few hours after having this for dinner.  Agree on the mayo thing too.  Some people just can't tolerate it. 

afeliz79

I agree on The mayo, but I don't have a problem with serving sandwiches and salads. It is kinda lunch-y but, I would be pleased with a sandwich and lots of dessert options.

maadee91

Thanks everybody! It's good to hear everybody's thoughts. 

kmmssg

Are you serving alcohol?  If so, you want people to have a hearty meal before they start drinking.

Peavy

Sandwiches aren't appropriate for dinner.  If you are having an evening wedding, you need to serve food appropriate for the time of day.

alithebride

i agree. i dont htink it's appropriate for an evening wedding. while you may have a connection to these types of foods it's your guests are who the reception is for and they should be fed a proper meal. for anything more than a lunch or brunch reception (they would fit great there) they're not enough/appropriate.
you can EASILY lighten up the meals-and i'm glad to see someone trying!! as someone who tries to watch what I eat I adore that you're trying to lighten it up-but your options dont seem lighter in the calorie sense, they seem pocketbook lighter.
you can absolutely serve awesome food that's lighter than chicken cordon bleu-LOL pretty much anything is lighter than that. a roasted chicken dish or something would be fine. removing some of the desert bar and putting that into the entree instead would go really far. i love the artisan bread and fruit idea, family style, at each table. perhaps an anti-pasta platter as well. but serve food for dinner that is substantial enough to be a dinner-and that is nice and tasty!!!