Wedding/Reception?

Question

We are having a simple wedding with a fingerfood reception, however, I want it to be an elegant reception. I was wondering if anyone knew of any cute fingerfood that would be cheap to make or buy. Also, I am completely new to a wedding - I have looked on websites but nothing is really telling me anything. Can someone please tell me play by play so to speak about the ceremony - or a traditional ceremony to be more specific, and also about the reception. This is my first wedding and my parents and my fiances parents havent planned a wedding (they just had a simple one) so I am needing like a LOT of help with this. If you have great ideas and templates for programs and invitations etc etc I would LOVE for you to email me. I am so lost on this stuff. All I know is a few simple things. Only nice and respectful answers please!!! Thanks so much.

May 26th 2007 is the date :)

Answer 1

I'll be honest, but try to remain nice & respectful. : )

I don't think that frozen mozzarella sticks, frozen mini quiches, popcorn shrimp, wrap or roll-up sandwiches, chicken fingers and frozen egg rolls are going to be elegant. I also don't think that costco/sam's club veggie trays would be elegant, either. To me elegant would be:

Assorted Artisan cheese plate (Brie, Irish Cheddar, Stilton, Camembert, etc) with water crackers, sliced baguettes, and possibly a fig jam/spread.
A grilled Asparagus dish with all Asparagus tips up and aligned. Drizzle this with lemon and olive oil.
Onion tart/puff pastries. This could be done simply by caramelizing some white onions, shredding some grueyer or similar cheese, adding some parsley to the mix, spooning it into puff pastry, covering it with puff pastry, cutting it to desired size, and bake.
Fresh Mozzarella Balls/Sun Dried Tomatoes/Asst. Veggie skewers. Can be served room temperature for easy transport.

If you want a veggie plate, stay away from the cheezy celery/broccoli/carrot plates that you find for $4.99 at every grocery store. Instead, go for something more exotic. Roast some bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, white onions, tomatoes, garlic, etc. and serve on a platter with a few nice dressings - ranch and bleu cheese. The roasting is easy - cover each with Olive Oil and put in your oven at broiling temp until kind of black. You can also serve with some cubed feta.

You could even do a pita bread section with several types of Hummus. Cut the pita bread into quarters, buy some flavoured from costco or trader joes, put the different hummus types in different bowls with a little sign telling what kind they are (wedding seating cards would be perfect).

And for drinks, have juice, soda, and champagne available at no charge. You could add red & white wines, but I think that champagne would pair nicely with most of the things I mentioned so far.

Another good idea would be to go to different 4 and 5 star restaurant websites and try to copy what they have for appetizers. You may not get it exactly, but it can give you a place to start.

I don't know that finger foods are elegant to begin with, but the presentation and the gourmet factor can at least get you a little closer.

Good luck with the planning! : )

Answer 2

The answers are all good ones. You do need to take the time to look through at least four or five websites and click on all the links and look buy four or five wedding magazines.

You can not just do this without knowledge if you want to do it right and enjoy it. SInce you do not have a wedding planner, Watch the movie! The Wedding Planner" You may get a few hints there or you will see that a planner might be a very good idea.

In any case, the deli section of your local market can also suggest some food items that would be good. You can send for info from some of the local caterers and get an idea of what might be served. Do the work and you can not go wrong.

First time planning does not mean impossible, just more research. Get busy! Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but I DO think you can have an elegant finger food reception with items purchased in bulk at Sam's club. Here are a few ideas:

31-40 shrimp cooked $13.88
30 bacon wrapped scallops for $13.78
60 round finger sandwiches for $10.24

The important thing to remember is "presentation is everything". Borrow glass cake stands to add elevation to the buffet, have vases of flowers mixed in with the food. You can make it lovely!

I did my own wedding programs (and have done for a few other people as well). If you want to send me personal emails I'll be happy to design some stuff, email back for corrections and then send you final proof so you can print. (no charge)

I love this stuff! Have fun - this will be the most fabulous day of your life - enjoy the preparation! Congratulations!

Answer 4

I'm familiar with quite a few ceremony and reception structures. A lot of it depends on what you want to include (unity candle, parent's candles, sand ceremony, vows, readings, speeches, etc.) and how formal/religious you want your ceremony and what denomination. I'd be more than happy to help you work through this and come up with some suggestions that are catered to you. Just contact me directly!

I wrote my own invitations and used Wilton invitation kits from Walmart. I also made my own bookmark favors that say a little thanks to the guests for coming. And, I made my own programs. I can email you all of these.

Answer 5

You could try a mix of more traditional finger foods with some more exotic choices like Satay (Chicken or Beef) to make it more elegant. Try a mix of Satay, mushroom caps, mini bruschetta, chicken bites, cheese balls, veggies and dip, spanikopita, and other stuff like that. You could also try a signature drink for the evening or maybe two (one with alcohol and one without).

As for planning a wedding, check out The Knot (http://www.theknot.com) because they have tons of advice and ideas as well as a pretty decent listing of local vendors which is divided by state and then major cities within that state. If you want any more advice, check out my website below and e-mail me from there.

Answer 6

Finger Food: Go to Sam's club ad buy them in bulk. You can have mini-crab cakes, lobster rolls, cocktail sausages with a sween and sour dip, sliced pepperonni and cheeses cubes with crackers, popcorn-shrimp, cold meat and cheese tray, fruit tray.

Deserts: You can use one of those chocolate fouintains. It's really elegant and not expensive! The machine is about 40 dollars. You can also have chocolate dipped strawberries, ice-cread filled claires, mini-cheese cakes.....

Invitations; Buy the sofware at Staples and buy the paper there as well. YOu will need a goood printer and plenty of ink.

Congratulations and good luck

Answer 7

all I can say is if you really dont want it to be simple then dont let it be! Since this is your first wedding, you will have to look back at this, so if it's not absolutly impossible,spend on it.
there are a crap load of magazine and books out there, but most fancy weddings have a planner.

I wish you would state the date, so I can judge how much time you have.

Answer 8

There are so many wedding magazines being published today that a quick stop at a supermarket, library or local bookseller to pick up some publications would be the best way for you to plan your big day.

Answer 9

Check out like vegetable trays, fruit bowls, chicken fingers, mozzerella sticks and stuff like that. You could also do like brocolli and cheese wraps and stuff like that. Check out magazines at your local grocery stores for more ideas. They have some fantastic ideas to make something that is finger food look like it is fit for a queen! You can decorate to make it more elegant.

Try http://www.theknot.com for more information about the ceremony and everything else for that matter. I found the site extremely helpful!

Good luck!

Answer 10

i have never done a wedding, however, i have planned a lot of events and have had "elegant" finger foods at.

here are some examples:
water chestnuts wrapped with bacon and broiled (so good!)
mini quiches (you can get these at sam's, frozen)
mini pieces of cheesecake (you can get these at sam's, frozen)
a chocolate fountain with all the fixings:
*cookies, fruit, marshmellows, etc
mini spinach pies

i think i am having a brain fart, and can't think of anything else...

tip: go to sam's and see what you can find in the frozen foods. you can find a lot of appetizers