I Want a Drink!!! What's on the Wedding Menu?
If you're doing all appetizers, don't schedule your reception to start at a 'meal time'. On your invitations, let your guests know they'll be joining you for, "Cocktails and Hords'd oeuvres
Steer clear of explosive,messy finger food like bruscetta, anything in red sauce or anything bigger than one bite. (Somehow, rack of lamb chops seem to ALWAYS get eaten; rules are made to be broken!)
Going with an all dessert party? It should start in the afternoon or late evening, you should let your guests know the plan, and do offer something NON sweet, like a cheese display.
Make sure the placement of your cocktail hour buffets doesn't create a bottleneck or one gigantic line. Split up the stations and bars too; a good rule of thumb is one station or bar for every 75 guests to keep things moving.
If you have a regional favorite (Philly Cheesesteaks? Frozen Custard from the Jersey Shore? Southern Chicken and Waffles?), it can probably be tiny-sized to be a fun cocktail hour treat. Mini Sliders...mini knishes......mini lobster rolls.....the list is endless!
Limiting the selections at your bar can make that bar bill a bit more pleasant. Go with wine, beer and a signature drink that matches your theme, your color, or your personality.
You don't need to have liquor at your wedding; pick an assortment of wines that are local to the place your getting married or some of the significant places in your history as a couple. Places you went to school, lived, traveled too, or just dreamed about are all wonderful inspirations. One of my couples picked six wines that all had dog theme names; another picked a selection of wines from a winery near their college, where they met.
A sparkling wine bar is a festive, upscale idea that doesn't cost a lot. In addition to offering two choices of wine ( Prosecco, Asti and Cava are less expensive choices), put out bowls of strawberries and raspberries, pitchers of peach, orange and pomegranate juices and maybe some Cassis for Kir Royales.
Is your venue providing a choice of desserts to go with your cake? Ask them if you can half 2 choices and alternate them on the tables. Provide plenty of extra forks and plates and everyone can share everything! What fun!!!
You can find more great wedding menu ideas here!
Steer clear of explosive,messy finger food like bruscetta, anything in red sauce or anything bigger than one bite. (Somehow, rack of lamb chops seem to ALWAYS get eaten; rules are made to be broken!)
Going with an all dessert party? It should start in the afternoon or late evening, you should let your guests know the plan, and do offer something NON sweet, like a cheese display.
Make sure the placement of your cocktail hour buffets doesn't create a bottleneck or one gigantic line. Split up the stations and bars too; a good rule of thumb is one station or bar for every 75 guests to keep things moving.
If you have a regional favorite (Philly Cheesesteaks? Frozen Custard from the Jersey Shore? Southern Chicken and Waffles?), it can probably be tiny-sized to be a fun cocktail hour treat. Mini Sliders...mini knishes......mini lobster rolls.....the list is endless!
Limiting the selections at your bar can make that bar bill a bit more pleasant. Go with wine, beer and a signature drink that matches your theme, your color, or your personality.
You don't need to have liquor at your wedding; pick an assortment of wines that are local to the place your getting married or some of the significant places in your history as a couple. Places you went to school, lived, traveled too, or just dreamed about are all wonderful inspirations. One of my couples picked six wines that all had dog theme names; another picked a selection of wines from a winery near their college, where they met.
A sparkling wine bar is a festive, upscale idea that doesn't cost a lot. In addition to offering two choices of wine ( Prosecco, Asti and Cava are less expensive choices), put out bowls of strawberries and raspberries, pitchers of peach, orange and pomegranate juices and maybe some Cassis for Kir Royales.
Is your venue providing a choice of desserts to go with your cake? Ask them if you can half 2 choices and alternate them on the tables. Provide plenty of extra forks and plates and everyone can share everything! What fun!!!
You can find more great wedding menu ideas here!