| The food that you serve your guests at the | | | | selecting a fish or pasta as the main course. |
| reception will certainly help to create a mood and | | | | (Many couples these days will opt to have at least |
| define their experience. From casual to formal, | | | | a few vegetarian dinners plated in the kitchen for |
| classic to quirky, there are an infinite number of | | | | their non-carnivorous guests.) A younger crowd |
| possible wedding dinner options these days. For | | | | might really enjoy something less stuffy, such as |
| help getting started, read this guide to choosing | | | | stations with great comfort food: mini |
| your wedding menu. | | | | cheeseburgers, pommes frites in paper cones (in |
| A few of the key things to take into account | | | | other words, French fries), and a fresh donut |
| when deciding on a wedding menu are the types | | | | station for late night partying. If you match your |
| of guests who are invited, the general theme and | | | | menu to your guest list, you can be sure that the |
| formality of your wedding, and of course, your | | | | reception will be a success. |
| budget. The style of service which you prefer will | | | | Formality plays a big role in the wedding menu. If |
| also be a factor. Certain menus lend themselves | | | | you plan to wear a fabulous ballgown with dazzling |
| to seated dinners with waiter service (think prime | | | | Swarovski crystal earrings, a seated dinner |
| rib), buffets work well for others (such as | | | | served by waiters in white gloves will enhance the |
| barbeque or comfort foods), and stations are the | | | | elegant effect you are trying to create. Treat |
| best for some types of dinners (such as an array | | | | your guests to foods which exude luxury, such as |
| of international cuisine). Speak to your wedding | | | | caviar, lobster, and icy Champagne. On the other |
| venue or caterer regarding the cost variations | | | | hand, if you are the sort of bride who prefers to |
| between the various service styles, as well. It is | | | | pair her Swarovski crystal earrings with an avant |
| often assumed that a buffet is the least | | | | garde gown from an up-and-coming designer, |
| expensive (and it may well be) because it requires | | | | stations serving exotic fare will be the better fit |
| the fewest servers, but it can also waste a lot | | | | to your wedding style. An informal wedding will |
| more food than a traditional plated dinner, so at | | | | benefit from simple dishes which are well |
| some venues the price between the two is | | | | prepared, such as a light and delicious lemon |
| comparable. | | | | chicken for a summer garden reception. |
| Keep your guests in mind when planning your | | | | The final step in creating your wedding menu is to |
| wedding menu. Will you have a lot of elderly | | | | have a food tasting with the caterer. You do not |
| relatives coming, who will expect something | | | | want to serve food to your guests which you |
| traditional such as a nice piece of beef, a starch, | | | | have not had the chance to sample yourself. One |
| and a vegetable? If so, your reception might not | | | | last tip is to avoid overloading the wedding dinner |
| be the best time to explore Asian-fusion cuisine. | | | | with rich and heavy foods that will make your |
| On the other hand, if half of your guests do not | | | | guests too full to dance the night away. |
| eat red meat, you might be much better off | | | | |