Salad as main course??

ashleygwoods · May 2011

I am wondering what people would think if we did an "over the top" salad bar as our main course. I am thinking of having options like spinach, ice burg and romain lettuce, with toppings like chicken, shrimp, beef, ham, turkey, cheeses, cukes, tomatos, carrots, bacon bits, crutons, sunflower seeds, etc. And of course a variety of dressings and rolls. I am getting married in August so it will be summer, and most likely hot weather. Is this an appropriate main course? I am trying to be a little bit different than the chicken, or beef route...

ShakeUpTampa · May 2011

Might seem different but might be an upset for those that loathe salad, they might just pile up on the meat and go grab a burger afterwards. I have been to a variety of weddings from finger food only (veggies, cubans, dips) to the all out meals. Do what you feel your guests will enjoy but I will tell you a lot of men (and women) hate salad. My friends think Im nuts to order salads at fast food places lol

unplainjane · May 2011

i like the idea of having a great salad bar but i would offer at least one hot meat item in the buffet that guests can have. personally i'd be disappointed if it was just salad even if it was hearty salad. i would want a piece of roast chicken or beef on my plate too. or if you don't want to do the regular stuff then have some hot apps with some meat in it at least. like some spring rolls or mini meat pies or sausage rolls.

lsk40 · May 2011

I like hot food and I would be like wheres the rest

topchef33 · May 2011

I would probably be hungry later on, even if I had chicken on my salad.

arrabelle · May 2011

maybe do a salad station and either a pasta, savory crepe, or baked potato station?

that would be unique but also offer a hearty option for the non-salad people. (i would love the salad bar but my FI would duck out for a cheeseburger.)

peanutty2 · May 2011

hmmm, i kinda like it.. but i could see other people thinking it odd. and i don't know how much dancing and drinking i'd want to do on just a salad too. are you having a more casual wedding in general? i think it could work but i'd offer a little more on the side... maybe some other salad or appetizer foods such as:
mozzarella, tomato & basil,
pasta salad,
potato salad,
3 bean salad
hummus with pita & veggies,
you said you'll have shrimp, various meats, and cheeses, maybe slice/cube cheese instead of shredded or in addition? and crackers?
bruschetta
chicken fingers

just some ideas... i think the salad thing is ok, but i'd bulk it up with a few more side options.

martafitz1 · May 2011

I LOVE salad. I make a salad with maybe rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, tuna, sliced steak, whatever for dinner often, but I would be really disappointed if I went to a wedding and dinner was a salad bar.

SSaltzman87 · May 2011

I too would wonder where the rest of the food was.

I definitely agree with the idea of having a few different types of salads like potato, fruit, bean etc. if it's something you really want to stick with.

Also, more often than not-salad is ALWAYS the one thing that has lots of leftovers, so having it as a main course may not be the most economical option.

Wiscisbliss · May 2011

I like the baked potato idea or adding a pasta.

I think you need something a little more substantial if guests are going to be up and dancing.

blush64 · May 2011

I think it sounds neat but I can see a lot of people wanting more. Most people I know would like the salad and then expect the meal. (No matter how much selection.)

jessicabessica · May 2011

I eat salad as a main meal fairly regularly. It's a high fiber meal, and with protein, I find it a very filling option. However, some people don't like eating that much salad and don't know how to make a salad meal (or care to do so), so of course if they make themselves the equivalent of a side salad, it won't be enough for them.

I would go with stations, like PPs suggested. You could have one of the stations be a salad bar. I would add slivered almonds, chickpeas (or some vegetarian protein), mandarin oranges, and maybe some marinated mushrooms to your topping list. Then also have a pasta station, carving station, mashed potato bar, etc. You could have a cold soup station, which could be nice for summer--gazpacho, carrot ginger, fruit soups.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · May 2011

I love salad, but you might want other options, like pasta salad, cole slaw, corn on the cob. A variety of temps (hot/cold) would be better, IMO.

NOLAbridealmost · May 2011

Please don't do salad as the main event. Even if it were stellar guests are going to wonder where the rest of the food is. =/

Sounds tasty though!

TEA&Co · May 2011

Sorry, but I would be super cranky as a guest if the main course was salad and nothing else. I'd do something else, even pasta if you want to be a little different and cost-efficient, or heavy hors d'oeurves.

HYDROPHILE · May 2011

Also please take into consideration that some people may have digestion issues (IBD, Divurticulitis, Colitis, Crohn's, etc.) and cannot tolerate salad. My FI can't. He has divurticulitis that flares up if he eats salad

LoveMuffins · May 2011

please please please take into account the fact that not everyone likes salad... if i went to your wedding i'd probably starve since i don't see anything on that list that i'd eat other than the croutons and chicken. and i'd feel really weird about walking away with a plate of chicken and croutons.

oh and rolls. chicken, croutons and rolls. i wouldn't be miffed, but i'm also a picky eater so i never feel antagonized by what other pepole choose to serve, but i would think it was REALLY weird, not very considerate and wonder if you guys had done it because it was cheaper.

Feelslikeadream2 · May 2011

I love salad and could eat it all day. I would have to eat it all day if that's all I ate because I am always super hungry within a few hours.

Find a low cost addition to it or don't do over the top salad bar but do a simple salad with a simple main dish.

You can't please everyone but if I went to a wedding with pasta, salad and bread I would be really please because it would be yummy.

You have to work with what you can afford and not worry about over doing it. At the same time you also have to provide the basics and IMO salad isn't even the basics or enough.

Once more to wrap up my yapping, cut out the chicken and shrimp in the salad and isntead have something simple and affordable with it.

inkfingers · May 2011

Depends on your budget and your expectations for the guests. I love your salad idea! It is not against any etiquette rule. I think it's rude for guests to expect a 3 course meal UNLESS you expect everyone to sit down obediantly for dinner. If your guests are walking around, coming, and leaving without reservation, then your salad should suffice:)

AshleyWinnipeg · May 2011

I wouldn’t like it. It would be one of those weddings were I would have to stop and get a pizza on the way home.

Salad as main course??

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