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Seasonal Catering Choices

There is no rule that you have to have standard fare at your wedding when planning your wedding reception. Here are a few ideas to think on (and it’s a Monday and slow news day!)

For starters, a butternut squash or tomato basil soup instead of salad. Want both? Think smaller servings and add bell peppers, walnuts, cranberries or a smoke cheddar to your a salad of fresh greens.

For your main course, there’s certainly nothing wrong with the old standards of beef or chicken, but if you are going for a different flavor try rack of lamb or surprise your guests with individual Cornish game hens.

And fall vegetables can add a cornucopia of color to any plate, think steamed carrots, multi-colored squash, cauliflower and broccoli with small red potatoes.

For dessert, we’ve seen the trend of dessert bars in addition to the wedding cake. If you are looking to stray from tradition entirely, many brides are opting for pies, tarts or even cheesecake.

No matter which menu choices you make, there are no right or wrong choices. Whether you choose the traditional, seasonal favorites, or opt for the favorite comfort foods of the bride and groom, your reception menu will be delicious.

Photography: Butternut Squash soup MyRecipes.com; Dessert Bar Blue Plate Catering

New Cuisine Trend

Many brides are eliminating the formal sit down dinner and overflowing buffets and opting for an all-passed appetizers wedding with chic smaller buffets.

Find the Perfect Pair – fun food & drink pairings during the entire wedding:

* Black Bean Soup with Mini Chilled Casahas Shots
* Mini Tuna Tacos with Mini Chilled Lime Margaritas
* Fish & Chips served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Mini Gourmet Pizzas served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Caviar & Chilled Vodka
* Instead of huge cheese displays pair cheese, meats and breads with a variety of wine tastings

Choose Mini Buffets – more do-it-yourself stations with toppings:

* Cous Cous Station with Toppings
* Curry Bar
* Deconstructed Mac & Cheese with Truffle Oil, Jalapenos, Chipotle Crème
* Tuna Bar with Tartar & Seared Tuna with Toppings like Wasabi Caviar, Citrus Caviar, Avocado, etc.

Pass the Dessert – serve your guests mini desserts while they are on the dance floor:

* Espresso Brownies with Mini Vanilla Milkshakes
* Fresh Fruit Sorbet on Mini Cones
* Fresh berry tartlets with limoncello sips

Late Night Munchies – serve mini-burgers and mini-grilled cheese for late night dancing treats or surprise guests with an all-passed midnight breakfast:

* Mini Burgers & Fries
* Mini Grilled Cheese
* Mini Blueberry Pancakes
* Mini Scrambled Eggs in Phyllo Nests
* Mini Bagels

Source: GetMarried.com

Photos courtesy of Blue Plate Catering – Chicago and Culinary Art Catering – Dallas