Wedding Menu? Any ideas?

Question

I don't have a ton of money and I love to cook. So I'm really interested in making all of my reception food myself, however, I'll leave the big fancy expensive cake to the professionals. Anyway, I have no idea what I could make that wouldn't be terribly expensive but also kind of new and inventive. I would like to serve some appetizers, two different kinds of salad (choice), two-three main courses (choice) and sides. Then obviously cake for dessert.

P.S. It would be VERY helpful if the items could be reheated or cooked in a way that would take a while.

So I am asking a) what kind of menu was there at any wedding you attended?

b) what are some ideas you might have for me?

Answer 1

Usually when you give entree choices you offer some type of beef, chicken and vegetarian.

For the vegetarian meal you could make some veggie lasagna. It is fairly easy and can definitely be reheated.

I am not sure about what type of beef you could make. You could do some sliced roast beef. I would go down to your local supermarket and ask to speak with the butcher. They may have some good suggestions on what would be best reheated.

The chicken doesn't have to be anything fancy - herb roasted chicken is always good. Or you could do a chicken parmesan.

For the appetizers I would do some baked brie, cheeses and crackers - that was a big hit at my wedding. All of the baked brie and cheese was devoured by the time I got there. Another popular appetizer is the petite meatballs and mini quiche. You can buy the mini quiche from Costco. They are really good.

Side dishes will depend on the entree you finally decide to serve.

Mashed potatos, rice, risotto, roasted veggies, pasta, etc. would be good for sides.

For my wedding we had prime rib, stuffed chicken ticinesi and pasta primavera. I heard the food was good - but unfortunately I only got about two bites.  =)

Hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck!

Answer 2

Can you edit your post and tell us how many people you would be cooking for? That would be a big factor in recommending foods for you to make. =)

Answer 3

you might get some idea of what to have and make from brides magazines or maybe from cookbooks  

Answer 4

I think the idea was great until you mentioned making the main courses, salads, and sides! That's way too much for you to handle on your day!

I'll give you some appetizer ideas:

Bacon High-rollers

Coconut-breaded chicken tenders

Miniature veggie shishkabobs

Answer 5

You could do something simple such as:

Appetizer: cheese quesadillas

Salads: Pasta Salad and Strawberry Salad

Main Course: King Ranch Chicken, and another meat with some barbecue sauce.

Answer 6

A lovely grilled chicken dish simmered in Lemon/Olive Oil/Basil, (This is also perfect for those who suffer from food allergies, and can't eat any special sauces)

Pork Roast basted with Italian Dressing

London Broil with side sauces that they can choose from. Or a Baked Ham, with Pineapple/Brown Sugar Sauce on the side.

Mixed Vegetables

Salads (Regular Tossed Salad, Stawberry/Walnut Salad)

Roasted Potatoes ( Cut up potatoes and season with olive oil, basil, salt, dill, a bit of butter, and a generous sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese.)

Answer 7

PASTA! Cheap, can make it in bulk, and can throw in your own touch with a homemade sauce. It's also easy to reheat. How about red skin mashed potatoes, veggies like a green bean casserole, and some sort of garlic or cheesy bread? All of this could be reheated very easily.

Vegetarian: Pasta w/ alfredo sauce and garlic

Chicken: Chicken Parmasean would be great

Or you could just use pasta as an appetizer by getting like cheese tortellini with an olive oil and spices sauce...

haha, sorry... have you figured out i'm italian yet?! =)

Answer 8

ok so for salads, I'd probably give people either the option of either:

Caesar salad w/ grilled bacon and a poached egg  OR

Greek salad w/ olives and feta cheese crumbled on top

For mains, maybe something like:

spinach & ricotta stuffed chicken breast w/ a baked potato

Lamb cutlets (or shanks) w/ a mustard mashed potato and gravy

beef and black bean stirfry w/ hokkien noodles

God I'm hungry thinking about it lol. I'm sure what ever you do will be fine. If my suggestions are too difficult, you could just marinade some chicken and grill it and serve with veggies, the same for beef, or you could roast a chicken, beef and pork or something.