Reception Foods Dos and Don'ts?

Re: Reception Foods Dos and Don'ts?

• libby2483 member

  

  March 2013

  I don't think that food necessarily has to coordinate with a theme or colors.  I mean, you could do this if you want, but I've never heard of picking certain colored foods based on your wedding colors.  That seems a bit much to me, and I don't think any guests will really say, "Wow, look how well the eggplant coordinates with the BM dresses".  

  
  

  I would, however, stick with one "style" for the food.  Main dishes and sides should complement each other.  You don't want to have lasagna as a main course and then mashed potatoes as a side, KWIM?

  
  

  I've attended weddings that have served BBQ before, which is quite a sloppy food.  I'm personally fine with it, but some people will tell you to steer away from sloppy foods as most guests will be in nice clothing and don't want to make a mess.

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• kaos16 member

  

  March 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_reception-foods-dos-and-donts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:8948659d-8857-457f-9539-dc631b05f5c2Post:1d6f2e68-04f9-466e-ba35-e9154cdbf1ad">Re: Reception Foods Dos and Don'ts?</a>:
  [QUOTE]I don't think that food necessarily has to coordinate with a theme or colors.  I mean, you could do this if you want, but I've never heard of picking certain colored foods based on your wedding colors.  That seems a bit much to me, and I don't think any guests will really say, "Wow, look how well the eggplant coordinates with the BM dresses".   I would, however, stick with one "style" for the food.  Main dishes and sides should complement each other.  You don't want to have lasagna as a main course and then mashed potatoes as a side, KWIM? I've attended weddings that have served BBQ before, which is quite a sloppy food.  I'm personally fine with it, but some people will tell you to steer away from sloppy foods as most guests will be in nice clothing and don't want to make a mess.
  Posted by libby2483[/QUOTE]
  
  I for one think that mashed potatoes go well with any main dish!!! ;)

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• lyndsay782 member

  

  March 2013

  I can tell you something I Don't want to do... 

  
  

  This past Saturday one of my good friends got married.  At the last minute her reception coordinator (who she asked to do it for free) went MIA.  I stepped up, along with another of our friends.  After playing hostess, coordinator and waitress, I learned real quick that I want my friends to be able to enjoy themselves, and that I'd rather pay some one a tiny amount of money to coordinate on the day of so that my friends don't feel like waiters.  

  
  

  I might be making some of the food, but I want my friends to be able to enjoy the day.  Even if it means I pay a few of my chuch's interns $100 for the day. 

  

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• OwningAHome1981 member

  

  March 2013

  Italian might be a good choice. I feel there is something for everyone with Italian.

  

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• Jen4948 member

  

  March 2013 edited March 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_reception-foods-dos-and-donts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:8948659d-8857-457f-9539-dc631b05f5c2Post:41b0167e-c7d6-40f6-9380-28f08a15e395">Re: Reception Foods Dos and Don'ts?</a>:
  [QUOTE]Italian might be a good choice. I feel there is something for everyone with Italian.
  Posted by OwningAHome1981[/QUOTE]
  
  Too many Italian foods have red sauces-not good for wedding gowns and formal attire.
  
  OP:  Something to bear in mind is whether your guests have religious or medical dietary restrictions that prevent them from eating certain foods.  If significant percentages of your guests can't eat a specific food item, don't serve it. 

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• xxstardust member

  

  March 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_reception-foods-dos-and-donts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:8948659d-8857-457f-9539-dc631b05f5c2Post:080dc52f-cf70-4887-ac8f-ac895648e6f2">Re: Reception Foods Dos and Don'ts?</a>:
  [QUOTE]It's important to make sure the type of cuisine matches the formality of your wedding.  <strong>For example, if you're having a black tie affair, don't serve sloppy joes and hot dogs.</strong>  Also keep in mind the type of plates and silverware you're using - if you are going paper/plastic, don't serve anything that's hard to cut as it will be a pain.  Largely, these elements are more important than making sure your food matches your color scheme.  Regarding sloppy foods, think of it this way - don't serve anything that you yourself would be afraid to eat in a white dress! And lastly, quality over quantiity.  It might be fun to have several different types of cuisine, but if they don't taste very good, they won't get eaten anyway. Good luck!
  Posted by prettybirdy27[/QUOTE]
  
  First rule of catering - if it's served in tiny portions, it somehow seems fancier. French fries = BBQ. A tiny, pretty lace cone of french fries? Somehow swanky. Shrimp cocktail on a big platter = TGI Friday's fare. A shrimp cocktail shooter = fancy. Roast beef sandwiches = lunctime. Roast beef canapes = cocktail appropriate.
  
   Strange, but true.

  
  

  140 invited -- 118 are ready to party! -- 27 can't make it
  

  
  

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• Ella and Pedro member

  

  March 2013

  Allergies, preferences, relligious dietary restrictions, children attending, people who are lactose intolerant, people who are vegan or vegetarian, low sodium, low fat, diabetics -
  
  #1 - consider your guests.  try to accomodate the issues you know or feel are likely to present with this audience.   Perhaps ask around. Put out an e-mail to inquire about issues before confirming menu?  We have shellfish allergies, direticulitus (no seeds or nuts for some guests), nut allergies,grape allergies, vegans, vegetarians, Kosher, Halal, low sugar, low salt etc.
  
  #2 - budget
  
  #3- formality and style, theme  *as mentioned - a theme of The Circus sort of begs for cotton candy, roasted peanuts and circus peanut candy.  A theme of The Roaring 20s calls for swank mixed drinks and things like shrimp cocktail and cheese puffs.  A wedding at a formal ballroom sort of venue in a city center, at night, means food truck service could be awkward.
  
  #4- consider what you and your Fiance like/love and what  you don't like, food or cuisine that is significate to your location (local ingredients local recipes local preparations) and to your life/relationship (i.e. you're from Texas so you include Tex-Mex appetizer)
  
  #5- ask the caterer/chef who is the expert for their advice about the menu, sauces, garnishes...and research in recipe books, online...pinterest has many pages of wedding buffet or menu ideas.
  
  (we have a ton of allergies and other concerns as I said, so we went with an assortment of small-plate style tapas entrees, and a wide assortment of desserts (ice cream bar, 6 types of cake)
  
  Good luck!

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• tara.c member

  

  March 2013

  Honestly, my biggest suggestion is to go with food you genuinely like.  As was mentioned above, anything can seem fancy if it's served correctly.  I've been to too many weddings where the bride and groom served bland chicken or overcooked steak simply because they thought that's what people are "supposed" to serve at weddings.  For the same amount of money, they could have had something far tastier that guests would have truly enjoyed.
  And I'm going to have to politely disagree with the poster who said you wouldn't want to have lasagna with mashed potatoes as a side...again, presentation is key.  If you're serving a seated dinner, yes, you should probably stick with one theme. If it's a buffet, you have a little more leeway, as long as there's nothing too extreme (say, tacos and sushi).  If you do individual serving stations, you can literally cover the globe without it seeming strange.  In fact, one of the best weddings I've ever been to had serving stations: Sushi at one, a mashed potato bar at another, caviar at a third, and so on (there were seven or eight stations).  The food did not follow any theme whatsoever, but it was up to the individual guest to decide whether fajitas and caviar belonged in the same meal:)
  

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• CassidyWess

  

  April 2013

  Oh wow, thank you so much everyone for your replies! My fiance' and I still have lots to discuss but thanks to you all I think we have a good idea of how to begin.

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