Question about a wedding reception for a couple having an away wedding?

Question

My step daughter is getting married in the Caribbean.There will be very few family members there.I was thinking about having a reception of sorts for her and her new hubby a few weeks after they get back.This will not be a dinner.It will be cake,punch,and regular reception foods.What are some of your favorites.Please remember that I will be doing this mostly own my own and I would like for he dishes to be homemade and nothing to time consuming or difficult.Thanks!

Answer 1

This is a good site for ideas:

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/horsdoe...

Also mini sandwiches (for a cold item)

mini quiche (hot item)

those appetizer pastries that you can bake for 20 minutes and serve

devilled eggs

salads (potato, bean, tomato, green, etc)

also, think platters!  (fruit, veggie, etc.)

have fun :-)

Answer 2

I would rather order the main dish and have close relatives bring appetizers.

Answer 3

A Caribbean theme would be appropriate:)  Make fruit kebobs and stick the bamboo skewers into whole fresh pineapples (can also use as centerpieces) ...  Tropical fruit platter (papaya, pineapple, guava, mango, oranges, bananas) with dip (coconut yogurt - Yoplait makes a coconut creme pie one, and can mix with with marshmellow fluff or softened cream cheese, if you want)  ...  Marinated shrimp with toothpicks ...  Pineapple cheese ball with crackers ...  Pork meatballs in sweet & sour sauce in a crockpot ...  Salmon spread with crackers ... Veggie/dip platter...bite-sized pieces of Jerk Chicken with toothpicks... bowls of FRESH coconut chunks, sugar cane, and sweet potato chips ..... Here's a great recipe for a punch too:

TROPICAL DAIQUIRI PUNCH

4-5 bananas

1 large can pineapple juice

2 med. cans frozen orange juice

1 large can frozen lemonade

6 qts. water

sugar to taste

Rum or vodka to taste

Optional:  6 qts. 7-Up

In blender, blend bananas and add juices & water.  Sweeten to taste.  Add Rum or vodka (if wanted) and 7-Up, if desired.  (This can be done, omitting liquor or soda, ahead and frozen in thirds.  When you thaw it, add liquor and 2 qts. 7-Up to each frozen third) ....  Serves 40

Answer 4

I really think you can't go wrong with a mix of things that can be made ahead of time and then heated up (lasagna, meatballs, vegetable stratas) and then some larger items that you can throw in an oven and let them cook themselves (pork loin, roasted chicken or turkey).  

Answer 5

Chicken Salad Croissants

Swedish Meatballs

Fruit/Cheese Display

Cheese Mould w/Strawberry Jam and Crackers

Spinach Dip w/Tortilla Chips

Marinated Asparagus

This is a menu that I did for a wedding reception not too long ago.

I also like to serve poached salmon w/cream cheese, capers, diced egg, and baguette toast rounds.

Pork Tenderloin with goat cheese roasted red peppers and Bread

Roast Beef w/Aujus, Horseradish and Rolls

Hot Crab Dip

Pulled Pork w/Rolls and BBQ sauce

Stuffed Mushrooms

There's a ton more as I cater on the side.

All of the things that I mentioned are relatively easy to prepare and don't require huge amounts of time.

Answer 6

mini meat balls cooked in BBQ sauce

trays of fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses

Rolls

salsa/corn chips

onion dip/plain chips

layered taco dip/Frito's

your possibility's are endless