Think covering of the Box and generate a Personal (and Memorable) Wedding Reception

I have to say right from the start that I am somewhat biased against the default big hotel or banquet hall Saturday night sit down supper preceded by a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvre reception. I've never quite enjoyed being seated at a table (sometimes with people I don't know) and stuck there throughout the night waiting for a banquet server, who's rushing through the evening, to get my plate in front of me. Or asking the people at table with me to please pass the salad dressing or butter which I can't reach as it happens to be sitting on the opposite side of the table. I in effect don't enjoy the plate I'm served being yet another uninspired "rubber chicken" or dried out salmon meal with either an under cooked or over cooked "vegetable melange" (read- whatever cheap vegetables the kitchen has on hand).

To my mind, any time we entertain valued guests, we are giving a gift to our loved ones.
When the party is a wedding reception, we are also creating a wonderful, once in a lifetime celebration, one about which we want ourselves and our guests to have great memories. Idea should be put into the details of the party. What kind of food would I and my guests truly love? How can I create fun and memorable entertainment for them? What would they enjoy doing for these few hours we're together celebrating? Hint-it's in effect not being stuck in a chair in a crowded nondescript hotel or banquet hall room. I like to roam colse to the room, visit with lots of other guests, and eat in effect great food. Okay- so I know that no one is advent to your wedding just for the food, as I once had a young bride say to me, but people will talk about your wedding for years to come if the food is exceptionally good- or exceptionally bad.

Food And Dessert

Putting some creative Idea into planning a celebration you and your guests will truly love, will in effect follow in a much more personalized day. A brunch, lunch, or tea sandwich and dessert reception, even a picnic type wedding, can still be elegant and quite delightful. These types of receptions will often save you money, as well. For example, the food costs for a brunch, tea or picnic, are commonly lower than for a dinner, and because most people drink less alcohol in the afternoon than at night, you will save money on bar costs.

I remember, as a young woman attending a great afternoon picnic wedding in a park, where the guests were entertained, while sitting at picnic tables and on blankets on the grass, with great musical and street theater performances, reflecting the artistic interests and tastes of the bride. And another, as a somewhat older woman, at a winery in Sonoma County with sweeping views, where the guests were offered a choice of great box lunches to enjoy as we sampled the wines, and decadent chocolate truffle tortes (which I gave as a gift to the couple) for dessert.

I catered a backyard wedding last June where the young couple chose to have a station with pizzas, topped with any assorted yummy items, added to their buffet. Instead of a wedding cake they had a brownie and ice cream sundae bar, with 4 separate types of brownies, and a choice of yummy sauces and toppings for the ice cream. I in effect got a kick out of watching the groom as he enjoyed sampling and comparing each type of brownie with the assorted sundaes he had created.

I've catered weddings in the past, where the couples chose to have Western food, as well as couple stations with foods from their ethnic backgrounds, like Korean, Chinese and Japanese. We decorated the station at one with big brightly colored fans bought in Chinatown.

I've remembered all of these weddings with many more warm thoughts than the stuffy sit down banquets I've attended.

So lend some Idea to putting your personal stamp on your wedding reception, and give your guests something to remember fondly for years to come.

Think covering of the Box and generate a Personal (and Memorable) Wedding Reception