NER - My Menu & Bar Selections

linnyv27

I'm looking to get feedback on whether our menu/drink selections look okay and if you would change any of them. I'm also looking for suggestions whether I should add on any of the optional upgrades/selections. Keep in my mind we are trying to stay within a lower budget because we prefer to be able to give our single bridal party members a plus one and we want to keep our current "wiggle room" in case any of our single guests are in a relationship by the wedding date.


Dinner will be buffet style.

Entree:
Garlic Bread with: Chicken Milano, Santa Maria Steak, and Vegetarian Lasagna

Three salads (we can choose 3 of 6):
Fresh Fruit Salad, Pasta Verde Salad, Classic Ceasar Salad
(Other options we could swap with: Fresh Garden Salad, Pineapple Cranberry Coleslaw, Potato Salad)

One Side Dish (we can choose 1 of 3):
Petite Roasted Red Potatoes with Olive Oil and Rosemary
(Other options we could swap with: Wild Rice Pilaf, Penne Pasta with Choice of Sauce)

Open Bar Includes: Soft Drinks, Bud Light, Merlot, and Chardonnay

Drinks can't be swapped with other choices, but we can add on for an additonal charge.
Additonal beers per keg cost between $150-240: Budweiser, Heineken, Pacifico, Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Gordon Biersch, Widmer Hefevizen, Longboard Lager, Stella.
Additional wine options: $20-$25  per wine bottle.

Appetizers: We are not having appetizers because there will be no cocktail hour (all photos will be done before the ceremony) and after the ceremony, we will go straight to the first dance then dinner. If anything, the venue said they could put out the salads before the food if there is any wait time between ceremony and dinner. Appetizers range between $3.25-$7.50 per person and they have about 15 different selections.

AJuliaNJ

Looks good to me! As a vegetarian, I was looking to shoot down any course that did not include a reasonable veg option, but couldn't find one. 

efmcc67

If it won't break your budget, you might want to add an additional beer. If you have any serious beer drinkers, they might be disappointed that the only option is a light beer. Otherwise, looks good!

nextrightthing

Looks good to me.

Knottie_22386269

Sounds delicious to me. Even being the picky eater I am I would enjoy your selection. Just one question though: Do you have a choice of nonalcoholic drinks?

Knottie_22382049

I second adding a second beer if it wont break the budget. Otherwise looks good to me. 

linnyv27

Thanks everyone - it's a relief knowing our menu would be something everyone would enjoy. One additional beer is something we really want, so we are currently looking at different areas to cut back on to hopefully add one beer (we've already cut back on flowers, no favors, no programs, no guestbook). If we do, I think I would ask friends and family what beers they like most so I can choose a beer that is popular among our guests.

Teddy - Yes, the bar includes soft drinks, water, and lemonade

MrsGandthebeag

I'd swap the fruit salad with the garden salad.  The fruit doesn't really go with the entree choices.  I'd also add the Sam Adams.

Loopyseven

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:49953595-9e48-4149-89e7-f5b7ab19be00">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]If it won't break your budget, you might want to add an additional beer. If you have any serious beer drinkers, they might be disappointed that the only option is a light beer. Otherwise, looks good!
Posted by efmcc67[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This is what I was going to say.  </div><div>
</div><div>Also, other than fruit salad and caesar salad you seem a little light on vegetables.  Can you look into adding a vegetable side (green beans, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, mixed vegetables, something) Or substitute a vegetable for the starchy potato side. You're already having garlic bread and vegetarian lasagna and a pasta salad.  Potatoes too is a lot of carbs.  But I like vegetables and try to eat low carb, so maybe it's just me.</div>

Knottie_22382049

I just realized something about vegetarian options most ceaser salads have anchovies in them so it wouldnt be vegetarian you do also have fruit salad offered so you should be fine but if you were planning on the salad being vegetarian friendly then maybe switch to garden salad. 

freebread03

Looks tasty OP! Can you swap the merlot with a Cabernet Sauvignon? Cab sav is, in my experience, the house wine at most restaurants, so that tends to make more sense to me than the merlot. I'd also add on the Sam Adams to the beer selections.

linnyv27

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:bae917d0-a3a6-4a22-a185-6721e8edefa8">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd swap the fruit salad with the garden salad.  The fruit doesn't really go with the entree choices.  I'd also add the Sam Adams.
Posted by MrsGandthebeag[/QUOTE]


In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:35904c67-7ced-4ede-8616-b44fe9e51dd0">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]I just realized something about vegetarian options most ceaser salads have anchovies in them so it wouldnt be vegetarian you do also have fruit salad offered so you should be fine but if you were planning on the salad being vegetarian friendly then maybe switch to garden salad. 
Posted by PrincessBride2016[/QUOTE]


Based on both suggestions above, I'll be switching either the fruit salad or ceasar salad to the garden salad. My group loves fruit (there is always plenty of fruit at every party/gathering) so I have to take that into consideration - but I do like the thought of having both the cesar and garden salads as it's more greens.

linnyv27

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:fc04c338-f3a3-4ba3-9a81-a203e1c61440">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections : This is what I was going to say.   Also, other than fruit salad and caesar salad you seem a little light on vegetables.  Can you look into adding a vegetable side (green beans, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, mixed vegetables, something) Or substitute a vegetable for the starchy potato side. You're already having garlic bread and vegetarian lasagna and a pasta salad.  Potatoes too is a lot of carbs.  But I like vegetables and try to eat low carb, so maybe it's just me.
Posted by Loopyseven[/QUOTE]

Oh my group loves carbs! Haha. After reading your post I went back to correspondence the venue coordinator sent me. One PDF described the garden salad as "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salad" title="Salad" rel="nofollow">salad</a> consisting mostly of fresh <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable" title="Vegetable" rel="nofollow">vegetables</a> with italian dressing". Do you think that would include enough vegetables? I'll definitely be switching out one of my current selections for the garden salad.

linnyv27

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:877cb9b8-6d2d-4e1a-8347-e9a51d3a5d9a">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]Looks tasty OP! Can you swap the merlot with a Cabernet Sauvignon? Cab sav is, in my experience, the house wine at most restaurants, so that tends to make more sense to me than the merlot. I'd also add on the Sam Adams to the beer selections.
Posted by freebread03[/QUOTE]

Is the Cabernet Sauvignon around the same price point as Merlot? If it is maybe they'll let me swap out as my venue has been extremely flexible. I know nothing about wine (I don't drink) so that's why I ask.

freebread03

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:e0e584ea-7fa6-4c75-93ce-e80f7d3640ee">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections : Is the Cabernet Sauvignon around the same price point as Merlot? If it is maybe they'll let me swap out as my venue has been extremely flexible. I know nothing about wine (I don't drink) so that's why I ask.
Posted by linnyv27[/QUOTE]

<div>You should definitely be able to pay the same for a Cab as a Merlot.  Other posters, is Cab as the house red typically your experience too?</div>

Kate61487

I would also, personally, go with a broccoli or greenbean side (or other popular green) instead of potatoes but I also like to avoid starches when possible. 

I've never actually seen a ceaser that comes, default, with anchovies (it's usually just an option) so I don't think that's something to worry about; I'm sure the venue could take them off if needed.  And I love ceaser so it'd be my choice; but if you're set on including the garden salad I'd cut the ceaser.  I doubt anyone will do two different lettuce salads on their plate, they'd just pick the one they like better. 

All that said; however, I would have absolutely no problem with exactly what you listed above.  I think you have a good variety and meet all common dietary restrictions.  The above are just ways to maybe make it even that much better :-)

Knottie_22382049

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:50cb2e75-a3e0-4c3f-8518-80a4b0c0866a">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]I would also, personally, go with a broccoli or greenbean side (or other popular green) instead of potatoes but I also like to avoid starches when possible.  <strong>I've never actually seen a ceaser that comes, default, with anchovies (it's usually just an option) so I don't think that's something to worry about; I'm sure the venue could take them off if needed.</strong>  And I love ceaser so it'd be my choice; but if you're set on including the garden salad I'd cut the ceaser.  I doubt anyone will do two different lettuce salads on their plate, they'd just pick the one they like better.  All that said; however, I would have absolutely no problem with exactly what you listed above.  I think you have a good variety and meet all common dietary restrictions.  The above are just ways to maybe make it even that much better :-)
Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

<div>A lot of times it is already in the dressing. Believe me I love ceaser salad but I have had to read labels and find dressings without anchovies in them because ExH was a vegetarian. </div>

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:935df1f5-ecd7-455f-9c33-34327f6ae3a6">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections : A lot of times it is already in the dressing. Believe me I love ceaser salad but I have had to read labels and find dressings without anchovies in them because ExH was a vegetarian. 
Posted by PrincessBride2016[/QUOTE]

oooo interesting; guess I never looked at that and I eat ceaser salad all the time!  I'm curious now how often it does include it....

Loopyseven

Anchovy paste is a common ingredient in caesar dressing.

tesskerr

Also isn't there usually bacon in caeser salad?

NOLAbridealmost

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:8a16f5a4-3bd2-48df-9bae-b94eb3919633">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]Also isn't there usually bacon in caeser salad?
Posted by tesskerr[/QUOTE]



No....yum, but no.

peekaboo2011

Do you have any gluten free guests?  I know I probably wouldn't be able to eat anything on that menu except maybe the potatoes and fruit salad.  I'd probably also swap the chardonnay for a lighter wine (pinot grigio maybe) since cab sav/merlot are both pretty heavy.

Belle0720

I'm really hungry now after reading this post!

I live in wine country and drink lots of wine :-) I agree with swapping the Merlot for a Cab. I think either Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio would be good white wine choices.

B2Z728

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-my-menu-bar-selections?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a0c060-d72b-4e20-80f9-5b931dced878Post:89d27a22-9e60-4c9f-ad26-ade228009b32">Re: NER - My Menu & Bar Selections</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you have any gluten free guests?  I know I probably wouldn't be able to eat anything on that menu except maybe the potatoes and fruit salad.  I'd probably also swap the chardonnay for a lighter wine (pinot grigio maybe) since cab sav/merlot are both pretty heavy.
Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]

Everything you have listed sounds great, but I'd talk with you venue to see if one of your entrees is gluten free, and see if you could label it GF at the buffet line if there are signs describing the name of the dish. I've recently gone GF and eating out is a constant challenge. Reading over your entree selection there may be one option I could eat, but I wouldn't be positive until I asked the wait staff who would probably have to then go ask the kitchen to verify what is in the dish.

At our wedding we had a sit down dinner with a few choices of entrees. At the bottom of our menu we listed, "gluten free and vegetarian options are available upon request" because we knew there would be a few vegetarians and a few people who could not eat gluten.