CHOOSING THE MENU

When selecting the menu it's important to include a variety of items to cater for different tastes. Include a variety of items to cater for different tastes. Include some seafood dishes, chicken and red meat (as well as vegetarian options) for variety and consider steering clear of items such as duck or pork which may only please a minority of guests. Pop a section for your guests to note down their special dietary requirements on the RSVP cards and as the wait staff or your wedding planner to look after them during the reception.

 

A relaxed, country style picnic is perfect for outdoor summer weddings. Stock up hampers filled with all your favourite foods, lay out picnic blankets and cushions on the grass, and have lawn games like bocce or croquet set up as entertainment.

 

COCKTAIL STYLE

A cocktail reception is an elegant way to celebrate with your guests while allowing them to mingle and chat. Depending on the length of the reception and the style of food served, it can also be a more affordable solution.

Mini hamburgers, sushi, savoury tartlets, scallops in their half shell, mini bruschettas and Vietnamese rice paper rolls are all great options that can be made bit size, but the options are endless. 

Serving cocktail style is the ideal option if you'd like to offer something light after the ceremony but it can also be organised into a three-course standing feast.

Start off with a selection of light hot and cold canapés (4-6 different items per person), followed by 'bowl food' (small serves of a main course - this could be curry, rice or noodle dishes served with a cocktail fork), and finish with desserts like individual wedding cupcakes, petit fours, mini pavlovas or chocolate truffles.

You can also match drinks to each of the 'courses' for extra fun. Circle trays of your favourite cocktails around during the canapés, followed by wine and beer for the bowl food, and then liqueurs, dessert wines or espresso martinis with dessert.

 

SIT DOWN MENUS

Seated meals are prefect for a formal occasion. For and elegant way to kickstart the festivities, hold a canapés hour with cocktails when guests first arrive - this may be in the venue's foyer, alfresco space, jetty, gardens - or another scenic spot at your reception location. It is nice to have this in a different place so when your guests walk into your beautifully set main reception area they are met with a gorgeous surprise - cue the 'oohs' and 'aahs'.

Sit down meals often give the guests several choices for each course, or use an 'alternative drop' whereby two options are alternatively placed around each table.

 

GRAZING

A buffest of different dishes where guests help themselves is a way of ensuring every guest gets what they like, and also provides an opportunity for them to chat and mingle while they select their food. Another great option is a grazing antipasto menu set up on wooden boards and placed on each table, or as a rustic spread set up on a table perched on wooden wine barrels.

This is perfect for a languid lunch and presents a chance for you and your man to share with your guests your favourite things - be it stuffed artichokes, prosciutto imported directly from Parma, or the freshest olives from the little deli down the road.

 

© The West Australian

More wedding inspiration at The West Australian Wedding Guide.