How To Choose Wedding Reception Food

By Kathleen Milazzo

Choosing the food for your wedding reception is both important and fun. People look forward to the food at a reception and will remember if they have been served food that is less than desirable. Here are some ideas to make the food at your reception a great memory for your guests!

First you need to ask if the reception facility you have rented provides its own menu choices and if the food is served individually or put on the tables family style. In either case, don't hesitate to ask if you can taste the food that will be served. Often, reception venues will be happy to do so by asking you to return for its next booked function, and will set aside a place in the back or office for you to taste the food.
If you have rented a reception venue that is providing you the space alone, then it is up to you to choose a caterer. Most people opt for a buffet style dinner in this case, however you can choose to have a more expensive caterer that will also provide servers.
If you are having a small reception and are looking to save some money, you can always solicit friends and relatives to each make a dish and bring them for a home-style buffet. Don't be afraid to ask the people that are close to you; a lot of them would probably love to cook and show off their specialties.
A reception venue that provides the food and serves it individually usually offers chicken, prime rib, and fish or a vegetarian entree. The side dishes will be standard choices such as baked potato or mashed potato, and vegetable with a soup and salad.
With venues that offer family style service, you will usually get a range of food that might include baked chicken, roast beef, a vegetarian entree, mashed potatoes and gravy, a vegetable, pasta, soup and a salad. This will offer your guests plenty to choose from.
If you are choosing an expensive caterer that serves your guests, you can usually select the special dishes yourself. Filet mignon, shrimp cocktail or a raw bar are examples of what you might choose. Remember, if you haven't tasted the caterer's food before, ask if you can sample some dishes.
Many small restaurants and even fast food places offer catering. This could be roast beef, fried chicken, or even pizza. You probably have already eaten their food so you know how it will taste. The downside is you may have to have someone pick up the food and set up a buffet for you.
If you get to choose all the food yourself, from whatever source, consider a theme menu. For example, a polish feast could include pirogi, polish sausage, dumplings, sauerkraut, a beef dish and potato salad. You can choose from many nationalities--Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Polish, Greek, and German are among the most popular. You may even want to have an international feast, which would feature a dish or two from every popular nationality. Often the bride and groom will choose fare from the place they will be honeymooning, such as Hawaii. You could even supply leis for your guests.
Don't forget your vegetarian friends! Remember that there are different levels of vegetarianism, from not eating beef to being completely vegan. Be sure that the "vegetarian entree" you choose matches the type of vegetarians attending your reception. Check the links provided for many vegetarian dish ideas.
Finally, if you need ideas, check out some recipe sites or books. Ask friends or relatives whose receptions you remember who cooked the food. Also consider a fruit or sweet table for appetizers or dessert.