Wedding Reception Food - doing it ourselves! Eek!!!

[Antonia]

Our son is getting married March 31st and this is what we are considering:

wedding cake

miniature cheesecake squares in 3 flavors (plain, berry swirl and turtle)

pecans with a cheese straw ribbon around them

a chocolate fountain with things to dip in it: strawberries, creme puffs and pineapple spears

petite quiches in ham and swiss and spinach

scallops wrapped in bacon (bought frozen and deep fried for 3 minutes) served in chafing dish

meatballs served in chafing dish

spinach dip with french bread rounds (bought at fresh market)

punch in a punch fountain

DS and fiancee changed their wedding date and original caterer can't do it so DH and I are going to get it together and get a couple of friends to help once we are at the ceremony. Most of this will be already prepared and will just need to be put out.
It may be too much food. The wedding is at 7 p.m. and the invitation actually say "Dessert Reception following ceremomy". My MIL has reminded me of this twice. Any thoughts/ commments/ suggestions?

 

[Talking Hands]

Our son is getting married March 31st and this is what we are considering:

wedding cake

miniature cheesecake squares in 3 flavors (plain, berry swirl and turtle)

pecans with a cheese straw ribbon around them

a chocolate fountain with things to dip in it: strawberries, creme puffs and pineapple spears

petite quiches in ham and swiss and spinach

scallops wrapped in bacon (bought frozen and deep fried for 3 minutes) served in chafing dish

meatballs served in chafing dish

spinach dip with french bread rounds (bought at fresh market)

punch in a punch fountain

DS and fiancee changed their wedding date and original caterer can't do it so DH and I are going to get it together and get a couple of friends to help once we are at the ceremony. Most of this will be already prepared and will just need to be put out.
It may be too much food. The wedding is at 7 p.m. and the invitation actually say "Dessert Reception following ceremomy". My MIL has reminded me of this twice. Any thoughts/ commments/ suggestions?

I would stick to the desserts. Maybe add some more fruits to dip in chocolate and some plain cookies.
If you are in an area you can get them some pastelitos like guava, cheese, cheese and guava.

some petite fours

 

[mickeyfan1]

Since you have stated dessert, I would pass on the non dessert foods. You could add pound cake for the fountain and then maybe one other dessert that is easy to eat finger food wise.

I think it is a great idea that y'all want to do the food. It can be a huge money saver and a very special thing for the newlyweds to remember.

 

[DVC Jen]

I think I would stick to desserts as well if that is what the invitation says.

Have a dessert buffet in addition to the traditional wedding cake.

Fruit and cheese could always be a part of that buffet.. and don't forget about something or a few things that are diabetic friendly.

 

[tiggger1]

I agree, stick with desserts. definetly add some fruit, so the people who cant have sugar can at least have some fruit. I would also add some marshmellows, plain shortbread cookies and even pretzel rods to the chocolate fountain,

 

[mtemm]

yep, I would stick to desserts, although if you really want to add some non-dessert items, I'm sure no-one would mind.

And I would definitely include a cheese platter as part of the desserts, and maybe a coffee bar.

 

[Antonia]

I am keeping the pecans with the cheese ribbon for sure. I probably could save a ton sticking with desserts and adding a coffee bar.

 

[tarmand]

I am keeping the pecans with the cheese ribbon for sure. I probably could save a ton sticking with desserts and adding a coffee bar.

Oooooh, I love the coffee bar idea. I'm never opposed to extra food, but since you stated desserts, save yourselves the money and just do the desserts. Like a previous poster stated, I'm sure no one will mind if you have regular food too, but since they're not expecting is, why spend the extra money? If you have the money budgeted and feel as though you must spend it, give it to the kids to help them get started or buy them something special.

 

[MAKmom]

If there is no alcohol this is perfect. I agree cheese & fruit are desert items that would be a nice touch. I would not do the non-desert items if no alcohol is being served.

 

[Antonia]

OK, so I'll stick with a dessert only reception with the following:

wedding cake - white basket weave accented with daisies

punch

a chocolate fountain to include cream puffs, strawberries, pineapple spears, and marshmallows and maybe pretzels

miniature cheesecakes in 3 flavors: plain, strawberry swirl and turtle

pecans with a cheese straw ribbon around them (I'm sure they have a name)

mini eclairs

wedding cookies

buttermints (my DH insists)

a coffee bar - any suggestions???

There will be no alcohol since it is in our church social hall.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[mrsheppo]

What about sparkling cider for the toast? We did this for my stepDD's wedding which was held in the church hall.

 

[EthansMom]

I like the new dessert menu.

My suggestion would be to look at purchasing some of the food, rather than making it yourselves. Certainly, I would look at purchasing the wedding cake, eclairs, and cookies. You could probably get all of these from a local bakery -- check around for prices. For my wedding, I had the basketweave frosting and loved it!!! The local bakery delivered the cake and set it up for no extra charge. You may find a local bakery that would make all of your baked goods and deliver them.

Enjoy the wedding!!!

 

[Antonia]

Yay!!! Someone likes the new dessert menu! Thanks!!!

It is actually very hard deciding what to have.
I think I stress myself extra hard on this because I do want it to be nice for DS and his fiancee.

 

[tw1nsmom]

OK, so I'll stick with a dessert only reception with the following:

wedding cake - white basket weave accented with daisies

punch

a chocolate fountain to include cream puffs, strawberries, pineapple spears, and marshmallows and maybe pretzels

miniature cheesecakes in 3 flavors: plain, strawberry swirl and turtle

pecans with a cheese straw ribbon around them (I'm sure they have a name)

mini eclairs

wedding cookies

buttermints (my DH insists)

a coffee bar - any suggestions???

There will be no alcohol since it is in our church social hall.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

I think this sounds really good. I would probably add a full fruit platter in addition to the dipping fruit. Maybe a cheese and grape platter. You could also scatter around dishes of candy and nuts. It sounds like it's going to be a great wedding!

 

[TTFN]

I'm doing the reception food for my daughter's wedding in June. We are also planning a dessert reception. I'm planning:

wedding cake (of course)--purchased

Mississippi Mud cake for the groom's cake (it's a Southern thang)

Lemonade( I'm planning on using a big ornate jar with a spigot so guests can self-serve)

Champagne Bellinis--(Peach mixture will be frozen well ahead)

Decaf coffee--ceremony is at 7 (I'm reconsidering here 'cause I really like the coffee bar idea)

chocolate fountain with angel food cake, pretzels, strawberries, pineapple

filled puff pastry (frozen from Costco)

Fruit salad

Those peanut butter cookies with the kiss in the middle (special bride request)

Dessert cheese with ginger snaps

Chocolate chip cookies

Some caramel/pecan treats

I'll be watching the other suggestions with interest!

 

[Antonia]

TTFN - come help me and I'll come help you! We'll just do these two dessert receptions together!

 

[nwdisgal]

I would add a fresh fruit platter for people that like something sweet, but aren't big dessert eaters. Some of the fruit could actually double and be dipped in the chocalate as well.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I would add a fruit/cheese platter for people who don't want to overindulge. I love the idea of a chocolate fountain. Actually there is a place around me that rents frozen drinks machines also that make either alcoholic or non-alcoholic pina coladas, strawberry daiquiris etc. Maybe something like that would be something you might be interested in. Good luck!

 

[MAKmom]

OK, so I'll stick with a dessert only reception with the following:

wedding cake - white basket weave accented with daisies

punch

a chocolate fountain to include cream puffs, strawberries, pineapple spears, and marshmallows and maybe pretzels

miniature cheesecakes in 3 flavors: plain, strawberry swirl and turtle

pecans with a cheese straw ribbon around them (I'm sure they have a name)

mini eclairs

wedding cookies

buttermints (my DH insists)

a coffee bar - any suggestions???

There will be no alcohol since it is in our church social hall.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

What are buttermints.

Coffee Bar. Raw Cane Sugar, Reg Sugar, 1/2 & 1/2, Skim Milk , Cinnamon, Choc shavings.

You can dip plastic spoons in melted chocolate. Its really easy & looks very cool. You just dip part of the spoon base.

 

[Talking Hands]

Yay!!! Someone likes the new dessert menu! Thanks!!!

It is actually very hard deciding what to have.
I think I stress myself extra hard on this because I do want it to be nice for DS and his fiancee.

I like the new menu as well. A small cheese platter with or without cheese would be nice for those with diabetes and cheese is often a dessert item in other countries.