Wedding reception food ideas?

Question

I am getting married in March and plan on preparing my own food for the reception. I have a few ideas, but wouldd like other recipes, and centerpiece ideas.

Answer 1

I am getting married next year and am planning to have a Hors D'oeuvres reception menu because I want the food to be fun yet satisfying without weighing down my guests.

So, we're thinking of foods like: chicken wings, egg rolls & spring rolls, summer rolls, chicken & beef kebabs w/ rice pilaf, samosas & veggie and fruit platters. These foods are very easy to make yourself. I am going to try to make some of them myself and then cater the rest.

Also, think cash bar instead of open bar for drinks. It will save a lot of money. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am not trying to offend anyone but the ideas most gave sound like I would be going to some lunch in the park gathering not a formal or even casual type wedding. Fruit plates yes are great they are easy to prepare by ones self and pretty cheap too but I would suggest making a trip to your local deli and picking out party plates for the appetizers like the cheese and crackers and meat plates, it is all fresh and gourmet. They are actually not too badly priced. If you want a buffet for dinner go for your more antipastos and have a main meat dish, salad and rolls. Otherwise have a caterer or the place you are doing your reception at do a set dinner with chicken (would be the cheapest) and a mashed potato and veggie. Then dessert should be like a small piece of cheesecake or cake or sorbet is always nice. This is all simple yet not like your going to a bar-b-que. But in the end food is your choice and should reflect your wedding and your personality and taste buds. As for the centerpieces go to michaels or your local fabric store and get some fake flowers and leaves and make vases with them or even get fish bowls and get beads of the color of your wedding and fill with water then and some flowers. Place little pictures of you and your fiance in little frames on the tables to let guest take home as a memory of the day.

Answer 3

Chips and salsa! You could mix it up a bit, get different color corn chips. Or if you live in an area with a Pat n Oscars order a whole bunch of breadsticks, those are always a hit. I think most people expect to be served dinner when they go to a wedding reception, so it'd be wise to mention on the invite that it's like an appetizer thing only. Maybe plan the reception to take place between lunch and dinner instead of at the normal time for either of those.

Answer 4

The center pieces should just go with the colors of your wedding.Small and decorate the foods around them.I would say for foods go with chicken.Roasted or in casseroles.Then do a mini salad bar.Use nice glass bowl for salad.Then add some bowls with salad items around the large bowl.Cherry tomatoes,onion rings,olives,and sliced cucumbers.Have a filling salad for hungry ones to enjoy.Potato or pasta.Fruit tray.With the salad,chicken and fruit you will cover all eating likes.Variety but simple.I would put all my dressings at the end of the table so they can keep the line moving.Congratulations on the wedding..happy life to you.

Answer 5

To keep it easy and quick. Buy ham and another lunch meat like turkey or roast beef and have it sliced for sandwiches. You can warm it up in a roaster if you want it warm. Buy potato salad or macaroni salad in bulk. Or go to Gordon Foods and buy their boxed potatos and make them in a roaster... they are very easy, inexpensive and it tells you on the box how many one box serves (it is a lot.) I think 2 boxes will fill a large roaster... they only take up half the roaster when you mix them up but fill it after they cook.. so be careful. Also make baked beans.. very easy. .. and you can buy the large cans at Gordons cheap also. Don't forget the pretzels and potato chips or other snack food. . . especially if you are serving alcohol. If you have a Gordon Foods Store in your area they are very helpful in telling you how much you need and helping you plan your wedding.... they have everything you need too.. like plates, table cover, plastic ware, cups and stuff for appetizers too.. if you want that. I recommend you set up a appetizer table for the guests to snack on before the reception and during... like cheese plate, crackers and meat balls - which you can get at Gordon's also, fruit and relishes (the relishes are already cut up at Gordon's too. Just mix 1 part chili sauce with 1 part grape jam or jelly in a saucepan and warm until melted and blended. poor this over the meat balls... they are wonderful!! Good luck.

Answer 6

Go to a Sam's Club. They have all sorts of very inexpensive appetizers that are delicious and elegant.

They have the little sandwich pinwheels, cream puffs, tiny quiches, wonderful spinach dip and hummus dip, cheese and meat and fruit trays. Also really good there were the sacks of meat balls that just have to be heated up and sauced up. I had these at a wedding last week, and they served them in a sweet and sour sauce with red and green peppers and onions and pineapple - they were beautiful and delicious!

They also have the chocolate dipped strawberries - AND THE CHOCOLATE DIPPED APPLES (WHICH ARE INCREDIBLE). You could have a fruit and chocolate section (again saw this at a wedding last week and it was beautiful and very popular). Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 7

pasta, serve sauce on the side.
chicken tenders parmagane (spelled wrong lol) style. add sauce and cheese and bake.
mac n cheese or tater au graten
pasta salads, slaw
pepperoni n cheese w/crackers
veggies n dip
fruit salad

if wanting to go more involved....
chicken cordon bleu
or a cheap white fish stuffed with a crab stuffing then baked
large mushroom caps, crab stuffing
stuffed green peppers
mini meat loafs with a gravy and mashed taters and green beans

Answer 8

Depends on if it a luncheon, dinner, tea, etc. I had intended to cater my own wedding but I ended up getting a mexican restaurant to do it. I made my own cake. It is a lot of work and stress to add to your wedding day. If you already have the equipment and have kitchen space you might be ok.

Answer 9

most wedding receptions i've been to have been infromal, but the food is always good. things i see most commonly are:
chicken wings
meatballs
mac and cheese
pasta salad
poatato salad
cheese and fruit trays
rolls with sliced ham in between

Answer 10

It really depends on the kind of wedding you're having! If it's more casual, big pans of lasagna (veg and reg), mac and cheese, meatballs, salad, rolls, etc is super easy and cheap.
I had a smaller, more intimate wedding (about 100 people) and we did clams casino, liver pate', shrimp cocktail, raw bar, crudite' platters, cheeses and sausages, melon trays, etc...