Weddings and food are a given. Beautiful settings and delicious food are the rule, not the exception when you get that invitation in your mailbox. This summer, late night food stations with an array of goodies were the latest rage as guests departed to their homes, in style. Sliders, although a popular choice, have been downgraded after Chelsea Clinton served a 2 a.m. snack of grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn and brownies.
It’s a greasy snack, a comfort food and cheese is just perfect for absorbing alcohol as the party-goers head for the road, after the wedding celebration.
Nostalgia is in for late night partying. Cereal stations are starting to be sighted with sugary varieties of Captain Crunch and Cocoa Puffs. A new emerging trend for sure!
Also featured this summer were old-style hot dog carts, candy floss and Poutine and French fries. This shift replaces the conventional offerings of pastries and fruit as the last comestibles at the reception. These snacks reflect the personality of the bride and groom, and what they find to be the ultimate snack when they get home late at night.
Whatever you decide to serve as a post reception food is up to you and your group of guests. It is always smart to ensure that they have something to snack on before they depart. Also, big urns of coffee and water are welcome at the end of the evening with the nibbles , as you want everyone to arrive home safe and sound.
At a recent wedding, we were captivated by a marvelous idea, just after the ceremony and prior to the wedding meal. The main foyer of the reception venue, which was adjacent to the room where the ceremony took place, was set up with a marvelous array of aromatic flat breads, tapas, artisian breads, big challahs, fresh hard Italian rolls, olives, roasted red peppers and assorted condiments, and, all varieties of delectable paté and cold meats. Coupled with copious quantities of selected, premium bottles of vodka , this was the perfect hors d’ouevres to keep hunger at bay for the guests, while the bride, groom and the wedding party were off taking pictures with their photographer. It was also an ice breaker for all the guests who had not yet met. Standing around this mouth- watering array of appetizers, people had an opportunity to mingle and meet around the wonderful, wicker baskets and ceramic pottery bowls of dips that made this presentation so very innovative and beautiful to both smell as well as look at. There’s nothing better than the aroma of fresh-baked bread.
It was a perfect preamble to the reception; an opportunity to break bread togehter as invited guests and, it served as a natural break between the upcoming events- a great way to reconnect with the people we knew, before venturing to our assigned seating.
When you are planning your wedding, your guests comfort is primary as you follow your schedule as the bride and groom, picture -taking, freshening up and catching your breath with your wedding party.
By providing a talking-piece for food and drink, you are both feeding and entertaining your family and friends in a unique way and offering them some sustenance at the same time.
Consider this emerging trend and I’ll guaranteeyou that it will be a veritable hit with everyone.Once everyone was ready to assemble in the main dining room, friendships had been struck and the feeling of not knowing anyone was completely forgotten. Everyone came together in a natural and not awkward way as they moved into the main hall for the wedding meal.
It set the tone for a very comfortable and happy reception, filled with the upbeat energy of the invited guests; all ready to celebrate the continuation of the evening.
Twenty years ago, there was no thought as to where a wedding and a reception would be held. Religious institutions were the official ceremony sites and their community halls hosted all the receptions.
 Picture supplied by: Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario With dramatic changes in society and how things are done, today there are many more options. From yachts to sandy beaches with glimmering sunlight, to museums, zoos, wineries and county clubs; brides have more choice than their mothers could ever imagine. Destination weddings have also become very popular in the last five years.
Themes are also paramount in wedding planning, and the sky is the limit to what uniqueness can be achieved with a good idea and out-of-the-box thinking. From Hollywood sets to medieval themes, brides and grooms-to-be are having the time of their lives matching their lifestyles and personalities to their receptions.
From florals, food, invitations and fashion, today’s weddings have taken on a whole new face. Guests marvel at the Monday morning water coolers, when they describe the weekend weddings they attended. Celebrations today are fun, unique, engaging and energizing; and for the guest they are most definitely a treat to attend.
Now if you are a bride and thinking that all you ever wanted was a simple, traditional affair, don’t let anyone sway you.
Traditional never goes out of style and what goes around comes around. Weddings are wonderful because no two are alike and they are dictated by the families, customs and personalities of the people hosting them.
Remembering the reason to marry is to spend your life with the person you love, planning sets the stage for the life you will be living in the future. Do it your way and put the touches you want on it and it will truly be a memorable event in your life.
Wedding professionals are there to assist you in translating your dreams into realities. Ask for references and employ their services if, and only if, you feel comfortable that they can do the job you want. Ask for references and talk to people candidly about the services that they received. Based on your research you will find someone compatible and at the budget you are seeking.
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