Bon Appetit

Think about it – we talk about food from the moment a person is born.  “How is the baby eating?”  “What was their first food?”  We ask children, “what is your favorite food?”  (often to the answer of ice cream or pizza)  and as we begin dating that question  “where do you want to go for dinner?” is an important one – so when planning your wedding menu it’s a critical point.

Here are a few tips to help navigate the wedding meal:

  • Keep it in season.  Don’t serve heavy Braised Short Ribs for an outdoor summer wedding.  Instead have your protein topped with a fresh fruit salsa.  For a fall wedding, instead of a salad, consider offering your guests a soup course.
  • Keep it fun.  Many couples infuse personal touches in their menu including a specialty cocktail or hors d’oeuvre to make their wedding have a unique touch.  Whether it be a special color (or named) cocktail during the cocktail hour or themed hors d’oeuvres or specialty dessert, ask the chef to “play” and you’ll get great results.  On the beach?  Offer sangria as your cocktail.

 

I had a couple who had a Parisian proposal to the entire menu was French inspired.  From the French wines, to the Cornish Game Hen to the trio of petit French desserts, guests stepped right onto the streets of Paris while they dined. (below)   I also had a couple who had gotten engaged in Key West so infused the flavors of that city into their cocktail hour, bar and entrée.  Simple key lime and coconut hints to the menu really made for a memorable event.

  • Walk down memory lane.  Last fall when the groom was a chef how could he not become incredibly involved with the entire wedding menu?! J  He created stations of food infusing the names of the family however; it was the brides’ family recipe for peach cobbler that had the guests really smacking their lips. (menu is pictured below)

Another groom loved the salad the bride had made for him early in their relationship.  He literally said “She made it once and I was hooked”  – so when the menu cards were printed with her creation that quote was printed as well, guests loved it!

  • Surprise them.  If your family always serves the traditional Jordan Almonds at weddings – don’t forgo this.  Your aunt who makes these for every.single.wedding. will be broken hearted you didn’t use them at your gala … but there has to be a way of presenting them without placing them on the table at each place setting.  I had a couple who faced this so when the cake was served the groom was also to give a speech.  His aunt was also the resident and queen nut maker – so he thanked her for making these for the umpteenth time and as the cake was served, the servers also presented the almonds to the guests.  In fact, we thought guests were actually more likely to take them, than leave them on the table.  It worked.

Instead of the candy station in themed colors that people have seen at many weddings now – perhaps consider offering a popcorn bar, a nut bar or late in the evening a cereal bar.

I also, if the favor is food, typically don’t present any wedding favor until guests are departing the wedding – guests like to be surprised with this one last culinary treat!

Food and drink is often one of the largest parts of a wedding budget, but making things personal, fun and special doesn’t have to cost more.  Ask your caterer how they can help you.  They’re the experts.  If you’re going to Mexico on your honeymoon, serve Mexican beer.  If you have Italian heritage in your family, ask about serving Italian wines with your dinner – these may not cost you more, but will keep your event personalized and special!  Have fun, enjoy the celebration and remember most importantly “bon appetit!”

 

 

 

Merci Beaucoup to the photographers and caterers who each event bring these delicious meals to life!  (in order of images) Hether Miles Photography – Hoaglin Catereing, Megelaine Images – South Seas Island Resort Catering, Carpenter Photography and Design – Flik Catering,   Scalini Photography, Nathaniel Edmunds Photography – Hoaglin Catering.

I am an Indianapolis event planner, wedding planner, bridal consultant bar mitzvah planner, bat mitvah planner, event designer and wedding designer. Monica Richard, MBC

6915 Bretton Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-460-3726