Late-Afternoon Wedding-FOOD

My wedding is in May and similar to yours with time. The ceremony will start at 2p, then there will be a light appitizer hour while we take pictures. However, we've decided to do finger foods (wraps, mini sandwiches, desserts, etc.) for the reception for 2 reasons. (con't)

The club we are having the ceremony and reception only allows hot foods through their caterer, who is super expensive. 2nd and most importantly, the reception is going to be at 3/3:30. Folks will likely eat lunch prior to coming and will have dinner later that evening (reception will be over by 6/6:30). After consulting with folks, we agreed that it was too early for a heavy meal and too late for lunch. I don't want folks to be too hungry though, so we are doing the sandwiches.

Welcome to the WeddingWire Community @Dianna!

I like Mary's idea of finger foods. You could do bbq food, although if people will be having dinner later it may be too heavy.

We are getting married next September and having an 11:00am ceremony and reception will follow immediately. Here’s the menu we are thinking of doing, but haven’t committed to yet.

Appetizer Reception

Crab Cakes

Wild Mushroom Strudel

Assorted Cheese & Fresh Fruit

Soup or Salad (Choice of)

Cream of Baked Potato Soup

Mixed Baby Greens

Entrees (Choice of)

Roasted New York

Chicken Brinata

Salmon Lima

Bumble Bee Manicotti (Vegetarian)

Thanks everyone! Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming. I like the idea of finger food but because the reception is starting around lunch time do you think it would be to much to do a heavier meal? I know how I get when I'm hungry so I really don't want all 300 of my guests to be pissy too. LOL

Lindsay- I love your idea about soup or salad as an option.

If your friend is a caterer, do they have a menu that you could choose from?

Also, as much as you love to cook and bake, I would strongly suggest you don't do it for your own wedding. 300 people is a lot, and days leading to the wedding are very hectic. Even for the most organized and laid back brides. You will not want the additional stress of cooking.

Hi Dianna - I am not getting married until Sept, but since we are having an 11am wedding I am experiencing the same dilemma. I am thinking about stations instead of a full heavy meal. There are a lot of people that don't eat heavy during the day, so this should be perfect for both: those that do and those that don't.

APPETIZER

Chicken salad on crostini

Crab cakes

Assorted cheese and fruit

Salad -

Mixed Greens with cranberry or apple (August too hot for soup)

Entree -

Pasta or risotto station

Pork or Beef

Fish

Vegetarian

I know how grumpy I get when lunch rolls around and I'm hungry. I would definitely not want to have to contend with 300 of me.

Good luck.