Sunday, July 24, 2011

A meal fit for a king

This Saturday we went out to our venue to plan one of the biggest aspects of the whole day: the meal.

(Can I just say how happy I am with our venue choice? It's simply gorgeous! They were set up for a wedding today so it was super nice to walk in and be able to picture all my decor ideas in the space and affirm that everything I've chosen so far will work the way I'm picturing it in my head. Such a relief!).

(Also. LOVE that our event coordinator did not bat an eyelash when I requested our napkins be rolled on the plate instead of inside the wine glasses. LOVE.)

(yes, I'm crazy. And yes, I am okay with it).

We decided to go with a four course sit-down meal instead of a buffet. In our case, having a buffet would be the same price, so why not? Besides that factor, Keith has informed me he 'just doesn't like buffets'. Ooookay then.

(yes, he's crazy. And yes, I'm okay with it).

Our main course: walnut encrusted rack of lamb 
with rosemary reduction

Our cocktail 'hour' is necessary for three reasons: (1) our venue is kind of remote, so guests can't easily leave in the time between the ceremony and reception, (2) there's no travel time between the two components of the day and (3) we aren't seeing each other before the ceremony, so we have to build in time after to take formal wedding party shots. 

We're offering a few nibbles - nothing that needs a fork and knife is the general rule. There will be two vegetarian options and two meat options in varying quantities - we might have to add a cheese or veggie platter to beef it up a little, but we can decide on that later. Our candy buffet will be set up in the cocktail space, and definitely available if anybody wants to dip in early for a sugar rush.

The actual dinner consists of a soup, salad, main entree with sides, dessert, coffee and tea. We're providing a bottle of white and red of their house wine per table for dinner and toasts. Our cake will be sliced and served later in the night (along with more coffee and tea) and there's a late night snack option that we're still discussing which I'll cover in a later post.


And now, the good part - what we're actually going to be eating!

Cocktail hour: 

Vegetarian spring rolls
Spanakopita
Mini quiche lorraine
Chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce

Dinner:
Soup: Butternut Squash
Salad: Baby spinach with pecans, dried cranberries and citrus vinaigrette
Main: Walnut encrusted rack of lamb with rosemary reduction and vegetables
(Veggie Option: Portobello mushroom ravioli with herb cream sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese slivers)
Dessert: Creme Brulee with fresh berries

And if you'll excuse me, I have to go wipe the drool off my keyboard now. Yum!

What did/are you serving at your wedding? Did you do buffet or a sit-down?

3 comments:

Tia said...

That food looks delicious! I think you're really brave with only lamb. A lot of people don't like lamb.
You should really think about not seeing each other before. I did that, and I totally regret it. That is your last chance to see each other, quietly, and to soak it in together, alone. I wish I would have had that special moment alone with my husband-to-be. After the ceremony is so hectic and you feel like you have to move quickly because your guests are waiting. I haven't heard of anyone regretting the first look before, but I know lots of people that regret NOT doing it. Just my 2 cents! :)

Rachael said...

So this is SO different from my wedding! All I cared about was the actual marriage itself--my husband proposed, and we got married 2 months later. I ordered the first invitations I found that I liked, bought the first dress I tried on, etc. My mother-in-law and my mom did everything for our two receptions--I just showed up. I remember walking out the doors after we were married and thinking that I could quite happily be done for the day--I was just so excited to be married to my husband!

And the time that my husband and I spent together before we were married was definitely one of my favorite parts of the day--we just sat together holding hands waiting for it to be time. :-) It was so perfect, especially since I had a good case of nerves and that just really made me feel like this was the right place and the right man.

Rachael said...

but the reason I started to leave a comment was to say that your meal sounds SO good!!!