Wedding Cakes & Food Forum

Shrimp or crab cakes???

We're having a buffet style reception. I have a chicken dish and a beef dish picked out, but I'm not sure about the seafood dish. I, personally, don't care for seafood, but at a southern wedding, it's kind of expected....
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Re: Shrimp or crab cakes???

  • Simply FatedSimply Fated member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    ZOMGSHRIMP!
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  • edited December 2011
    I think it's harder to mess up shrimp than crab cakes. Crab cakes can be REALLY bad or really good. Shrimp is shrimp.
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  • opalsky007opalsky007 member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, bad crab cakes are really bad.

    I'm not sure why seafood is "expected" though. My own wedding was the first Southern wedding I'd been to with seafood, and I lived in the South for 22 years.
  • mica178mica178 member
    5 Love Its First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    If you don't like seafood, don't serve it at your wedding.  I don't think the couple should serve guests foods that they wouldn't eat themselves (mainly because if you don't like the food, how do you know that you're serving good food to your guests?), that just doesn't make sense to me.
  • SSaltzman87SSaltzman87 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    i could go for either, but do agree that when crab cakes are bad- they're REALLY bad lol.
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  • annakb8annakb8 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I picked shrimp because I think it makes more sense at a gulf coast wedding. The gulf is known for shrimp, you know? Crab cakes not so much. If you were getting married in Maryland my answer would be reversed.

    Also, for the love of God, can people please stop claiming Southern weddings must include seafood? This is 100% FALSE.
  • mgietler76mgietler76 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Shrimp, for the same reasons as PP's
  • Sue-n-KevinSue-n-Kevin member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer First Comment
    edited December 2011
    If it were me, I'd probably serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce (instead of hot and fried), and the crab cakes as 2 appetizers. Not sure if you are having a cocktail hour, but if it's included in your price, as a guest, I'd prefer it that way.

    You have an option of 2 meats, and unless you don't have a meatless option (like pasta with meatless sauce), that's plenty.
  • edited December 2011
    I love crab cakes more than I love shrimp cakes and am hoping you've not chosen a crappy caterer, ergo, I choose crab!
  • edited December 2011
    I agree with PP, if you don't like seafood, don't serve it.  Personally, I love seafood, but I hate fried seafood, so I wouldn't eat either. 
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  • BlueBoxBrideBlueBoxBride member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Add me into the "seafood is expected" camp if you are down south. Though, above Georgia/Alabama doesn't count as down south. I find that's when the cuisine varies greatly. Does your FI like any sort of seafood or anyone you're close to that would go to the tasting? I don't like chicken or salmon, but we'll still probably serve it anyways. As long as we have plenty of items that I like, I'm fine. But the reception isn't for the bride. It's for the guests, and if people want their yummy shrimp... Give it to 'em!
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_shrimp-crab-cakes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:9b99f222-90f0-4aea-bf74-0947687928f2Post:e7ad51f7-e4d1-410b-a294-ccb3649f797e">Re: Shrimp or crab cakes???</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think it's harder to mess up shrimp than crab cakes. Crab cakes can be REALLY bad or really good. Shrimp is shrimp.
    Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

    <div>This.  I have had plenty of bad crab cakes, but rarely any bad shrimp.</div>
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_shrimp-crab-cakes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:9b99f222-90f0-4aea-bf74-0947687928f2Post:a2f447dd-4f9b-457a-8e22-4a6fd3c4e489">Re: Shrimp or crab cakes???</a>:
    [QUOTE]Add me into the "seafood is expected" camp if you are down south. Though, above Georgia/Alabama doesn't count as down south. I find that's when the cuisine varies greatly. Does your FI like any sort of seafood or anyone you're close to that would go to the tasting? I don't like chicken or salmon, but we'll still probably serve it anyways. As long as we have plenty of items that I like, I'm fine. <strong>But the reception isn't for the bride. It's for the guests, and if people want their yummy shrimp... Give it to 'em!</strong>
    Posted by BlueBoxBride[/QUOTE]

    I don't think crabs are generally associated with the Gulf, and I've never heard of this seafood = South thing.   I agree with the bolded part, but if neither the bride nor the groom like seafood, it will be difficult for them to determine what's good at the tasting.  I like the idea of bringing someone along who could weigh in on the seafood.  I still don't like the fried options though - broiled crab cakes and other preparations of shrimp are much tastier and IMO, they hold up better in a chafing dish since breading tends to get soggy.
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  • BlueBoxBrideBlueBoxBride member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Oh no, they eat plenty of crab down in LA, MS, AL and FL. It's all in the preparation. If they are using planko bread crumbs or even a corn meal breading then the seafood should be fine.
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  • Ashes_3Ashes_3 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I love shrimp!! Everyone I know likes shrimp:) Yummie!!!!!!!!!!
  • Thea519Thea519 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you all for your opinions and votes! We ended up choosing the crab cakes because they won in the poll... and because they were cheaper ;)
    Thanks, again, for your help!
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  • annakb8annakb8 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_shrimp-crab-cakes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:9b99f222-90f0-4aea-bf74-0947687928f2Post:a2f447dd-4f9b-457a-8e22-4a6fd3c4e489">Re: Shrimp or crab cakes???</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong>Add me into the "seafood is expected" camp if you are down south. Though, above Georgia/Alabama doesn't count as down south</strong>. I find that's when the cuisine varies greatly. Does your FI like any sort of seafood or anyone you're close to that would go to the tasting? I don't like chicken or salmon, but we'll still probably serve it anyways. As long as we have plenty of items that I like, I'm fine. But the reception isn't for the bride. It's for the guests, and if people want their yummy shrimp... Give it to 'em!
    Posted by BlueBoxBride[/QUOTE]

    There are a lot of parts of the South besides GA and AL. I am from Florida, so is my FI, we consider ourselves Southern, and we don't expect seafood at weddings. There are many different regional cusines in the South and many of them do not include seafood.

    Also...I know people eat crab in LA, AL,FL, GA, SC etc. but not generally crab cakes. Usually stone crab, fried crab claws, or soft shell crab.

    Sorry for going on a rampage, but this whole idea really bothers me. We will probably have some shrimp at our wedding, but I do not like the idea that I must serve some kind of seafood feast or low country boil just because I happen to be getting married in the South.
  • SE+MBSE+MB member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I love them both, but I'd have to choose shrimp. Crab cakes are very hit or miss with me.


    Also, I've never been to a southern wedding without a seafood dish. I've also never been to a wedding without jamblaya either.
  • edited December 2011
    My vote is for crab cakes but I would love both.  Shrimp remoulade would be good too! 
  • BlueBoxBrideBlueBoxBride member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Anna, the part you bolded said "above GA/AL" as in the all states south of Tennessee/North Carolina. That's when I find the regional cuisine really changes to meat heavy. I grew up in Nashville, got my education in New Orleans. Once a year, we take a 7-10 road trip around the South... Trying every restaurant we can! Very fun, would recommend it! FL cuisine typically has seafood in it. I doubt anyone expects a hillbilly seafood boil at a wedding. Big difference between that and say, pecan encrusted gulf fish, shrimp remoulade, crabcakes with citrus relish or marlin being served. We usually go to Delray (Boca, West Palm Beach area) twice a year, but sometimes we go to central or panhandle FL for some reason or other. Unless we were in a burger diner or a fast food joint, I would be shocked to not see any seafood options on the menu.
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  • annakb8annakb8 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Why don't NC, SC, and TN count as the South?

    To clarify, I don't think there is anything wrong with serving seafood at a wedding, in the south or anywhere (as long as no one is allergic) I just think it is a HUGE generalization to say "all southern weddings have seafood. period."

    Also, a wedding isn't a restaurant. I know restaurants in the South offer seafood options. Restaurants everywhere offer seafood options.


  • BlueBoxBrideBlueBoxBride member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Anna, I think you misunderstood. I never said that those other states were not part of the South... I said that they usually don't count as "down south." The OP is from Alabama, where the weather is more in line with the most southern states. 

    As someone from FL, I'm sure you will agree that climate has EVERYTHING to do with a state's culture. Therefore, what's expected at a summer wedding will be different from a more southern state than a more northern (like Maryland or Virginia). 

    When it is HOT with high humidity, it's customary DOWN south to have lighter meats (*like seafood), cold casseroles/salads/sides, citrus and iced teas/cold cocktails. 

    Your definition may vary. I see you are in DC. I would call DC a Southern city, but I would never classify it as down south! It's a completely different culture :) 
    "I liked it, so I put a ring on it" - future Mr. Box
  • ThornwsThornws member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It's funny, as someone who has spent a decent amount of time living in AL, GA, NC, DC, and TN, NYC and IA, but has chosen FL as her home, I'm quite enjoying this discussion, but have no real input about the seafood options...;) haha
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