I was thinking the other day about wedding food - chicken, beef or fish. While catering menus have come a long way, it seems that we still tend toward the traditional choices of chicken, beef or fish along with a side of veges and a choice of starch.
If you're one of the many couples who are diy'ing their wedding right now, chances are you're used to thinking outside the box creating and designing non-traditional options in place of expensive traditional ones. If you're at the point where you're thinking about the type of food you're going to serve or are interviewing caterers, why not think outside of the box for your food too?
Cheese Tray Ideas
Classic comfort foods given a sophisticated update might be a fun option and a welcome change for your guests. If your wedding truly is a DIY affair, then a family feast may fit perfectly into your vision.
Imagine a sophisticated take on lasagna by creating mini lasagnas for each of your guests. Pair this entree with a delicious onion tartlett made with goat cheese, chive, caramelized onion, basil, olives and sundried tomatoes. Continue the theme of classics by providing a potato, leek and pancetta gratin that your guests can pass around family style; classic cioppino over garlic rubbed bread and a cannelini bean over peppery arugula salad and perhaps a soup served in a pretty bowl or martini glass.
Choosing a classic dish or two and giving it a sophisticated update could mean something as simple as serving it in a single portion ramekin dish or adding a sprig of rosemary. When speaking with your caterer explain to them what you'd like to do and I'd bet that they would be thrilled to create something exciting within a reasonable budget. After all, they may be just as sick of making chicken, beef or fish as we are all of having to choose it.
If you're like many couples right now who are finding a lovely backyard space and planning your wedding totally on your own with the help of family and friends, you may be making your own food or buying the food and bringing it in yourself. Rather than serving your guests out of throw away chafing dishes, make each dish a presentation. Even something as casual as cheese pizza can be prettied up - you could ask the pizzeria to not cut the pizza (or ask them to cut it in squares). In advance of having the pizza delivered (or picked up), cut up additional gourmet toppings for the pizza - add a dollop of goat cheese and chutney on some slices; diced/shredded chicken with bbq sauce on others; roasted red peppers and chopped basil on some more slices. Place all of these on separate pretty white platters and have them either tray passed or placed at varying heights on a long table - there's your inexpensive but pretty appetizer.
Even if you're bringing in or making your own food for a backyard or private estate wedding, you can and should still hire a few waitstaff who can hand tray pass some items, plate and set food, and clean up both during after the cocktail hour and reception. This will allow you take your reception up a notch from backyard bbq to backyard garden chic wedding.