Small/Simple dinner?

PirateintheSky

Any ideas for a small dinner that is quaint? I'm planning on less than 50 people and trying to keep it a relatively simple affair. I was thinking baked mac and cheese with bread crumbs on top with asparagus as a side, but am afraid that is too simple, possibly kiddish.  I could go for baked lobster mac and cheese but, I hate seafood. Another thought I had was small kabobs, maybe one with beef and veggies, one with chicken and veggies, and one with shrimp and veggies over a bed of romain lettuce. I don't want more than one course, and I really don't want a buffet. I also don't think I will be having a cocktail hour, or passed hors d'oeuvres.  There will most definitely be bread.

Any ideas?

opalsky007

What about roast chicken with asparagus and mac-and-cheese as sides? I hate eating mac-and-cheese as a main course.

danieliza1127

Look into restaurants with a private room where you could have the reception.  Talk to caterers.  It's kind of hard to just randomly decide on the food if you don't have a venue/restaurant/caterer yet.  They'll all have options for you.

I definitely think mac n cheese is too simple, and not really a meal.  It's a side dish.

L-Bride

You could also do a lasagna and a nice salad.

PirateintheSky

Its going to be a backyard type wedding and my fiance's aunt, who works for a decent sized local catering company, is going to cater it. She has given me options, but they are all four course options with food I would hardly touch (I'm incredibly picky).  His family has a lot of money and I think they are super confused on why I want to have such a small wedding.  I have a sizable budget to work with, if I decide I want it, but I'd rather just sit and sip lemonade with friends than have a huge party with a four course meal. Plus, I would be very happy if by the end of this, we ended up paying for it all ourselves.

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_smallsimple-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:5573fa7a-d64a-441f-acaa-825d6aafdfa3Post:4b7e9971-ba0a-42cf-902b-85a4682efda2">Re: Small/Simple dinner?</a>:
[QUOTE]Its going to be a backyard type wedding and my fiance's aunt, who works for a decent sized local catering company, is going to cater it. She has given me options, but they are all four course options with food I would hardly touch (I'm incredibly picky).  His family has a lot of money and I think they are super confused on why I want to have such a small wedding.  I have a sizable budget to work with, if I decide I want it, but I'd rather just sit and sip lemonade with friends than have a huge party with a four course meal. Plus, I would be very happy if by the end of this, we ended up paying for it all ourselves.
Posted by PirateintheSky[/QUOTE]

Well in that case, I agree with the first suggestion of just a main meat dish with two sides. 

Remember that just because YOU are a picky eater that doesn't mean that you don't have to provide a decent meal for your guests.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I DO like mac and cheese as a main dish, but I'd probably go with a more complex pasta dish or lasagna.

wadingmoose

I LOVE mac and cheese.  I even like it as a main dish, but for a lot of people it just isn't enough.

I like the idea of Mac & cheese and asparagus as sides with meat of some kind. How about BBQ beef or pork?  Or even meatloaf since that's what Mac & cheese makes me think of. 

amandajean36

mac & cheese reminds me of a side for a BBQ meal - or if you want something more 'white dress friendly', how about fried chicken?  very picnic-y and goes well with sipping lemonade.  plus, both BBQ and fried chicken are tasty and budget friendly!

Lisa8888

Mac n cheese is not appropriate to serve your guests at a wedding. Regardless how simple an eater you may be, you have to be a good host and serve an appropriate meal. Your menu lacks substance.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

What are her menu suggestions? Maybe we can help revise those into something more "homey" that you and your guests will enjoy.

georgia_bride09

My vote is for lasagna with salad and bread or a BBQ main course (BBQ pork or fried chicken) with mac & cheese and a green veggie as sides. I only know one person who eats asparagus, so you may want to do green beans or something that is more generic for the masses. With either route, what is your cake going to be? Since it's casual, I'd recommend doing several cakes or pies for variety, and because that's less formal. (Can you tell I ALWAYS think about dessert?)

marisah83

I would do chicken with mac and cheese and either salad or green beans.  I love asparagus, but I don't know many others who do.