DIY Gluten free wedding -- help please

Re: DIY Gluten free wedding -- help please

• NOLAbridealmost member

  

  October 2012

  Meat, dairy, and veggies are going to be your best friends. I'd really recommend a caterer, but if you're hellbent on DIY maybe do it at a non-mealtime and do light snacks. 

  
  

  I'd look into cheese platters, mixed nuts, dips like hummus, salsa, gluten-free spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, fruit and veggie trays, mini meatballs in a crock pot, shrimp cocktail, etc.   Basically, think party platters you can buy at the grocery store that don't involve bread. 

  
  Fatty Blog

  Report0 Reply
• theelusive1

  

  October 2012

  potato chips.  kelp chips, corn chips. celery, carrots etc.  be careful of frozen things like meatballs.  My daughter had a GF cake for them to cut and eat and other cake for the guests to keep the price down. You could do just one layer for you and fh.
  Keep your menu to meat and vegetables. fruit bowl.
  You can get recipe books just for GF diets. 

  Report0 Reply
• Sweetsunshine83

  

  October 2012 edited October 2012

  I also have celiac so I understand your challenge! You can still do finger sandwiches, but maybe do me more as a 'build your own' rather than ore-made. Then you can have yours without bread. Just be careful of cross contamination if you a buffet: make sure the bread/rolls are located a little distance from the rest, and that there is a dedicated pair of tongs,etc. another idea could be to do the finger sandwiches and add a salad bar type option at another table even that will easily accommodate your needs. Just make sure croutons are no where to be found- we are doing this and I've just asked my caterer to not even put croutons out as a choice. I know some people love the little crunchy things but one dropped into the lettuce bin, and I will be sick as a dog! For the cake, have you considered two cakes? One small, maybe single layer cake that is gluten free for you and FI to cut & eat and then non GF sheet cakes that are served to guests? Or cupcakes? You could easily do a small amount of GF cupcakes for you to sample and the rest can be regular. Unfortunately, gluten free baking IS more expensive than using regular flour. Good luck!!

  Report0 Reply
• reppunzel member

  

  October 2012

  In addition to the suggestions above, you might think about doing ethnic dishes (either as a buffet, finger food or stations) since some other cuisines aren't as wheat-centered as American and European ones tend to be. 
  
  Options could include: a build-your-own taco or nacho bar with corn tortillas/chips seasoned chicken and beef (check the seasoning packages carefully for gluten or mix your own), beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce and tomato
    : chips and a salsa bar
    : taco fillings or beans-and-rice served in the bowl-shaped tortilla chips and topped with cheese
    : meat skewers with Indian, Thai or Japanese seasoning/marinades (be sure any store-bought sauces, like soy sauce, are gluten free)
    : mini noodle or rice bowls with an assortment of meat and veggie toppings (could be Mexican, Indian or Asian)
    : wraps made with corn or rice wrappers (like summer rolls) or spiral sandwiches on gluten-free tortillas
  
  While not strictly "ethnic" you might also consider:  raw veggie kabobs (can include meat and cheese cubes) with assorted dips or baby new potatoes cooked, sliced in half, topped with a dollop of sour cream and served with finely grated cheese, bacon crumbles and chopped chives as topping options (I served them at a large baby shower and they were a *huge* hit -- putting the sour cream in a pastry bag really helped).
  

  Report0 Reply
• minskat30 member

  

  October 2012 edited October 2012

  I also have Celiac and was recently diagnosed.  Your guests likely are not and the reception is really all about thanking them so why don't you just do what you planned and have a few options for you too?  That is what I'm inclined to do because I know some of my guests want flour.
  
  As far as cake: Like a PP mentioned, you can have a small piece of the cake made gluten free (i.e., a small wedding cake) then have sheet cake made for everyone else that has gluten as a way to save cost. 
  
  I love the idea of a potato bar too...we are doing that.  Everyone loves it and so long as you watch any spices you add to the potatos (if you do mashed potatos vs. baked potatos) most of the toppings (sour cream, chives, bacon, etc.) are fine...watch out for cheese that is packaged (some contain gluten so you might be best off just grating your own).  You can also do sweet potatos for your potato bar with marshmello (watch out for cheap brands that can contain gluten...most regular brands do not) and chocolate for toppings (again, watch your chocolate...some contain gluten). 

  Report0 Reply