I just want opinion on different meals to serve at the reception. We are having our wedding June 7, 2014 ( ceremony outside & reception inside with a county/ rustic theme) and since it will be warm I figured it would have to be a late afternoon wedding, maybe starting around 5 or 5:30, which means dinner time. We are on a tight budget so there will be making all the food ourselves or possibly buying from a local restaurant. No onsite caterers. The 2 ideas I was thinking of were: Spaghetti with marinara or meatballs, salad, & bread or BBQ pork & chicken, baked beans, slaw, fries, & a roll. Should I just choose one of these or would having 2 totally different meals work? There will also be a cake and other desserts/ finger foods.
Re: Deciding on Reception Food
I think the bbq is a better option, personally. Also, be careful about making your own food unless you have a professional kitchen and the ability to keep the foods the proper temperatures before and during the reception. that isn't as easy as it sounds, and it will likely mean hiring someone to do that and refilling dishes during the reception. You would probably be better off talking to restaurants (as you mentioned) about catering it and hiring them to maintain the dishes.
Websites/blogs where our wedding has been featured:
http://www.dapperq.com/2013/11/a-very-dapper-wedding/
http://www.onabicyclebuiltfortwo.com/2013/10/wedding-christina-g.html
http://4realequalityweddings.com/2014/05/16/g-christina/
I would do BBQ beef and chicken versus the pork. More diversity.
Definitely have it catered in from a restaurant and check with your venue to make sure it's okay to not have food service staff on hand to maintain proper food temperatures.
Choose a restaurant that can make a vegan or vegetarian option should that situation arise.
I would go to food websites to get ideas for wedding food. If you want invest in a great book, you may have to find on ebay...martha stewart bookra, her first wedding book has recipes in it.
pullpork on toast points....grilled wings......
stuffed chicken breast with spinach...bbq sauce
pasta salad....ribbion pasta
corn bread
grilled pineapples
minicupakes....