by Matt Fairchild, Extreme Cuisine Catering
Whether a simple cake reception or a full service catered event, so many new and fun ideas for receptions are out there and the possibilites are limitless! What to cater should be determined by several things: budget, size of your wedding, time of day, and most importantly, what you want. Remember, a good caterer works within your budget to provide you exactly (or as close as possible) what you want without sacrificing quality.
A nice option for afternoon receptions that is budget friendly is simple but beautiful fruits, vegetables and cheese displays. The addition of melons carved into swans or your names carved into watermelons can be used to highlight the presentation. The addition of mini-croissant sandwiches or a nice spinach dip with bruschetta can round the display nicely.
A noon wedding usually requires heavy hors d’oeuvres or a light lunch. The afore mentioned reception menu plus stuffed mushrooms, chicken and beef flank steak skewers with dipping sauces, or delightfully filled filo cups. These may be plated or served buffet-style. If it is lunch you are serving, let your caterer know what you would like or ask for creative ideas and suggestions.
An evening wedding will warrant a dinner or very heavy appetizers for hungry guests and also serve as a balance if alcohol is served. Dinners may be plated or buffet depending on where they are held and what facilities are available. Prime rib and steamship round beef carving stations are great additions here.
Let’s not forget about the brunch; a wonderful way for a morning wedding to be followed. Usually served around ten or eleven in the morning, everything from scrumptious pastries, tasty pasta salads, to ham and turkey carving stations are found in brunches. Coffee bars with plenty of flavors and condiments to accompany along with mimosas and wine.
Many other creative options are out there as well from mashed potato bars, dessert receptions, themes from around the world and whatever your imagination thinks up. Remember this is your wedding – your food!
