How to make Sandwiches Classy

alysb · September 2010

Do you guys have any ideas on how to make serving sandwiches cute and classy? I am studying to be an Elementary teacher and my FH is in college right now also so we thought it would be cute to go with sandwiches and allow people to make their own. The wedding is at 2 pm and we were thinking of adding Chips and Salsa to the mix so it wouldn't be just sandwiches. Are any of you doing sandwiches or have done them? I am at a loss as how to set the food table up.

dizzinea · September 2010

get really pretty deli trays, and use little rolls or fancy breads, the way to class up sandwiches is to have the ingrediants have a high end look

baboox · September 2010

Live flowers on the platters, like orchids, add so much visually. I would also add some gourmet condiments like wasabi mayonnaise, bearnaise sauce, etc. I would also have little signs next to each ingredient in an elegant font telling what it is.

hz80408 · September 2010

Maybe cute toothpick type things to hold sandwiches together?

mbcdefg · September 2010

Maybe you could do pre-made sandwiches, and package them at each place setting in a paper bag, like a school lunch. Include a piece of fruit, a box of milk or juice, a bag of chips and a cookie or brownie.

Or just have people go through the buffet line with a school tray and pick up what they want.

I think I would order pre-made sandwiches, personally. Unless you're having a really small wedding and at least two "stations" with the cold cuts and rolls, the line could get backed up while people wait in line to make their sandwiches. You can order pre-made wraps, or small sandwiches so people can take two or three to try if they want ... a giant sub cut into small pieces, tea sandwiches, or mini potato roll-sandwiches.

slubkin · September 2010

If you want them to be classy (especially if people will be making their own), good bread/rolls are key. See if you can find a good artisan bakery in your area that makes rustic sourdough, ciabatta, brioche, etc rolls. Fresh ingredients and presentation will also be key.

tongab1 · September 2010

I wouldn't have people make their own sandwiches because the buffet will not only become super backed up but nobody wants to fumble around dressing a sandwich especially with a line of people behind them.... but, if you want that hands on feel then I would buy a few panini makers and have them set up at the end of the buffet or even a separate table along side the buffet with meats, cheeses, breads & condiments that go well with only panini's. Try thinly sliced seasoned chicken (and maybe even thinly sliced steak if in ur budget) and focaccia for a couple examples. Depending on the amount of guests, have a nice selection of pre-made deli sandwiches with at least 3 different meat choices with complimenting cheeses and artisan breads. And instead of the usual mayo/mustard, step it up a notch with a selection of spreads such as sundried tomato spread, kalamata olive spread, basil pesto, coarse ground dijon mustard, wasabi mayo, balsamic reduction, etc. Cut the crust off of one of the selections that has a lighter bread and, with the condiment, meat, and cheese on top of one slice, roll it into a "roll-up" and secure with a fancy bamboo toothpick... the last party I attended had these and they were not only delish but adorable!

In addition to pre-made sandwiches I would have a nice selection of quality deli meats such as prosciutto, peppered salami and turkey, lean roast beef, a nice dry ham, etc, etc. With that have unique imported cheeses for your guests to pick at while enjoying their wine. Have a rounded selection of soft, hard, imported, and domestic cheeses alongside artisan crackers and breads. A fruit tray would be ideal to accompany the meat and cheese and if you stick with melons, strawberries, and grapes that should be pretty low cost for for quantity you'll get (make sure to slice the strawberries lengthwise and a little will go a long way.)
As far as sides for the sandwiches, stick to the "deli" theme and serve potato salad, pasta salad, veggie salad, tossed salad (with mandarin oranges and candied walnuts with a light vinaigrette) maybe even deviled eggs. Think of picnic type foods. Search unique recipes online with a twist from the norm and test them out first to see if u like. A cute idea is to slice salt potatoes in half and carve (with a melon baller) and use the center to make a chunky mashed style potato salad... then refill the salt potatoes with the finished salad and garnish with a sprig of parsley. The best part of all these sides... potatoes, vegetables, pasta, etc... it's all cheap and a little goes a long way.
Presentation is very important... consider serving fruit on a backlit "ice tray", and potato salad bites atop a patch of wheatgrass. Present pre-made sandwiches on a tiered platter and garnish the meat and cheese tray with fresh flowers. Just experiment with creative ways and supplies to make it unique.
Seeing that your not offering a formal, eat yourself into a coma type of dinner just make sure you have lots of selections and sides to offer to ensure your guests are pleased. Plus, if there isn't a reasonable abundance of food, your guests will drink more and get drunk faster.

retro_bride09 · September 2010

Make sure your table has visual interest by creating height. If you're having a tablecloth, put something stable underneath to give the plate on top height. Find a cool basket to put your bread in, try turning it on it's side so the bread looks like it's going to fall out. Make sure the meats and cheeses are arranged on a platter, not just thrown on.

http://www.chefstouchcatering.com/graphics/OldeWorldBreadDisplay.JPG
(sorry, that one's huge!)
http://www.downtownchampaign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/gould_buffet_table.JPG

ELLIOJA · September 2010

From what I've seen trying to figure out my menu the sandwich option can actually end up every bit as expensive as a DIY hot buffet. After pricing artisan breads, deli meat, delish cheeses, PLUS sides, condiments and everything else to make it seem a little more artsy or upscale I realized that I could buy a couple nice cuts of meat and slow roast them and throw together some good sides thats aren't overly expensive.

I do LOVE to cook so that is one thing I have in my favor. However, if you want to do something and aren't have a HUGE reception you might consider pork butt roast or a cheaper cut large beef roast and throw it in a large crockpot and just rub it with sea salt, liquid smoke, and some broth and let it cook for about 20 hours on low. Shred the meat with a couple forks, add some yeast rolls, spicy mustard and mayo and you're done. If you were to go to WWW.ALLRECIPES.COM there is a great recipe there for an augratin potato that uses frozen hashbrowns, cheddar & cream cheese, and garlic as the main ingredients and it also is delish. Very inexpensive and very easy.

For sandwiches... back to your original question since I digress... you will want to get more meat then you think will be necessary and make sure its sliced thin but not shaved. People tend to use more if its shaved. Use small rolls like yeast rolls or potato rolls and to save on the mess get the white bottles (like picnic ketchup & mustard bottles) and print out labels to put on them to show what condiment is in them. If people have a squirt bottle rather then a bowl of something with a spreader they won't get it all over. You can even print out a label that will cover most of the bottle just to put a design on it to help it match up with your paper designs.

Hope any of this helps even a little!

Ashes_3 · September 2010

Well - my mom and I made some for my sisters wedding. We put wheat bread or white bread on bottom(you use both), then meat and cheese, then another slice of bread (rotate) then meat and cheese and then the other slice of bread (same as one on bottom). Then you cut it into four cute triangles and put a cute toothpick or something in it. Then you could have different toppings on the side..

knottie53daf9dde994016c · September 2010

Try using different unexpected items like marinated mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, speciality spreads, dill seed bread, etc.

mwitter80 · September 2010

Having a self-serve is more expensive then ordering them premade. I didn't do this for a wedding but for an anniversary party. By the end of shopping for all the options I spent almost triple what I would have spent purchasing them premade and double what a caterer offered for a buffet meal. Remember that purchasing all that stuff on your own you are paying retail prices vs. a caterers bulk pricing.

alysb · September 2010

thank you guys

You've given me a lot to think about

thatjessie · September 2010

Im late but we are doing sandwiches for our rehearsal dinner and we are making it all picnic-y. Checked table cloths and the premaid sandwhichs will be set out and all the dressings will be in picnic baskets we are having a lot of handpicked flower arrangements. One of my sept brides used mason jars for drinks?

carolinagirl417 · September 2010

I am doing a "deli board" for our wedding. It has turkey, ham and roast beef, and then different types of bread and also different cheeses and things like that. That was the cheapest thing the country club had so I went with that. I heard from people that they are always still hungry after a wedding so I did not want to spend all my money on making other people happy, if they would just go to mac donalds after it anyways.

LovestruckAJ · September 2010

Since my recepetion is at 2pm...I'm going with sandwiches as well (with sides of fruit & salad) & calling it a "lunch reception" to play up the casuality of it. I would def suggest croissant bread for the sandwiches & fancy flower garnishes

Thanks for the post! I was thinkin I was alone in this sandwich biz! I'm glad to know others do this as well!

ehathewa · September 2010

I went to a wedding with a sandwich buffett (variety of rolls, meats, cheeses, lettuce, and tomato). It was really good. Who doesn't like sandwhiches? They had chips, veggie tray, and fruit salad too.

To class it up could you have crossaints and some fancy chicken salad (the kind with grapes and cashews).

florquevedo · September 2010

this is a picture of sandwiches at a brunch at the biltmore hotel in coconut grove in FL
this looked amazing and was very very delicate

How to make Sandwiches Classy

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