Finding the Perfect Balance of Comfort and Panache
When planning your wedding reception menu, hors d'œuvres are extremely important. Often, guests are hungry by the time the ceremony is over, and you need something to break the ice (even if you don’t serve alcohol). Tasty and comforting appetizers are well worth it!
A recent 2010 wedding served mini beef wellingtons, a fillet of steak coated with pâté and wrapped in a crêpe-like pastry to retain the moisture, with a decadent Béarnaise sauce. Even guests who do not particularly love red meat were delightfully surprised at its deliciousness.
Another popular crowd-pleaser was the gorgonzola and caramelized onion bruschetta, with just the right mixture of flavor, comfort, and epicurean savvy. Other ideas (specifically if you want warm appetizers in your wedding reception menu), include mashed potato bites, grilled cheese (with a cheese such as gruyere), miniature crab cakes with mango papaya salsa, macaroni and cheese samples, and stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with pesto, crab, sausage, or chicken).
For summer months, think about lighter fare wedding reception food but no less satisfying, such as chicken spring rolls with peanut sauce, goat cheese-stuffed artichokes, glazed pear tarts, or radicchio wraps.
Another popular addition to the reception is the idea of a coffee bar or a wedding candy buffet. These buffets serve two purposes: they are a great way for people to mingle after the meal is served, and they look fantastic (especially the candy bar!). The aesthetics of the candy or dessert bar can go a long way in adding color, fun, and individuality to the atmosphere of your reception.
Read more: