wedding food?

Question

We are having small amount of food for our wedding due to the cateror is forced on us because of the venue we have chosen,
and their menu choices are rather nasty super authentic southern food , and there isn't many choices other then what we have picked

So we are going with the following.
chicken breast
rolls
cheese platers
fruit platers
veggie platers
cake
we are having open bar.

Is this more of a cocktail reception, or should this type of food be a formal reception.
and should it be stations or buffet

i am stuck like chuck with this vendor. annd we can bring any of our own dishes

Answer 1

Your menu that you have picked sounds more like a very basic afternoon tea menu. But it could be transformed into a full dinner if that's what you want.

Since you're stuck with the caterer, sit down and talk to them and ask what all your options are. Tell them you don't like the menu that they have given you but will they be open to making something else that you do like? Or have you looked at all their options already? Many (not all) caterers will fix something that is not on their standard menu if you ask.

If you wanted to make your menu into a full dinner, add a potato (doesn't matter if it's mashed, baked, country fried, etc) and a veggie and you should be fine. I would probably have some kind of sauce for the chicken but it's not required. It can be cooked in just herbs and taste great as is.

Answer 2

No offense, but that's a very small and odd menu.

The cheese, fruit and veggie plater are more of a cocktail type menu.

Yet, the chicken and rolls are dinner.

Honestly, it's not either. If you were having a cocktail type reception, you would still need to serve more. Besides the chicken, you have no real "substance" The platters are great. But, not filling enough to serve alone.

This isn't a dinner menu b/c you have no sides to go with the chicken. Again, the platters aren't going to be filling enough with the chicken.

I would SERIOUSLY switch caterers or ask to have something else prepared. Your guests are going to be very hungry and that's not good. You always want to have more food then your guests can eat.

Also, I can't say if this is formal or not. The food listed here can go either way. What would make it formal would be the sides served, etc.

Answer 3

This sounds to me like a cocktail reception. Most of the items you list are finger foods (except for the chicken breast-- I'm not sure how that would work as a finger food.)

You could certainly make a full dinner from this menu, though. What you need are some SIDE-DISHES. Did the caterer offer mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, salads, or anything like that? I would try to negotiate with the caterer to make some side dishes that you would like (or that your guests would like, even if they are not your favorites).

If I were you, I would set up a buffet table with the chicken, rolls, side dishes, and salads. I would have the cheese platters, fruit platters, and veggie platters at another station -- the appetizers station. I would put the cake at a separate table. Cake-cutting is a reception event apart from the dinner -- you don't want your guests walking up and taking cake whenever they please.

Good luck! I hope you find something you like!

Answer 4

Hi and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Please talk to your caterer. This is a strange mix of foods. It would be OK for a buffet (formal reception) with the chicken and rolls, however, you would need to ADD (1) a salad; (2) some kind of potato (mashed or red skins); and (3) a veggie or two. If they would be willing to do that...then it will be fine for a buffet (formal reception).

Otherwise....have the cheese platter (and crackers, I presume); veggie platters; fruit platters; AND hopefully a few other "finger foods" and make it a cocktail reception.

Usually a caterer is willing to work with his/her clients. Please speak with them SOON!!

Good luck!

Answer 5

I agree with Winter. As a base this is a easy menu to work with. You simply need to add a couple more things. A starch (potato, pasta or rice) and 2 veg. will round it out. If your caterer will not give you a nice choice then bring it yourself.

As to the choice between a line of tables or stations, put the main items (chicken, starch, veggies and rolls) on couple of tables and then scatter the other tables around with the other items. This will allow people to mingle and not bunch up all together.

Answer 6

I'd get rid of the chicken breast, add some more appetizer-type food and have a cocktail reception.

Answer 7

This sounds like a sit down or buffet meal. It sounds good, and most people like chicken.

Answer 8

the chicken breast sounds like sit down but if they made skewer's they would work as finger food as the rest does.
it is according to you how you want is set up, also find out if you can bring some foods you prefer. they may let you and even reduce your bill (a little)

Answer 9

buffet, cocktail reception