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B A N Q U E T S , R E C E P T I O N S , S H O W E R S & P A R T I E S
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M14
By Anna Sachse CTW Features
Perhaps you hail from a town known for lob-
ster rolls, your first date was over tacos, or you
simply can’t imagine saying I do without your
beloved (but not exactly wedding staple) bison
burger or chicken vindaloo Even if they’re
seemingly too casual, messy, or quirky, it’s defi-
nitely possible to include your dream foods in
your reception menu Here’s how
SHOWMANSHIP
It’s all about presentation To make barbecue
prettier and more approachable, create sta-
tions with different cuts of meat and a variety
of sauces (vinegar-based, chili-based, toma-
to-based), as well as a potato salad station with
different ingredients that guests could select
to build a custom side Mac-and-cheese and
mashed-potato stations are crowd hits, and
because people can pick what they want, it’s
easy to include special flavors like duck confit
or pickled asparagus
You also can make unique food part of the en-
tertainment, such as a whole-pig roast, head
included Decorate the fire pit, have wine-bar-
rel seating for guests to watch, and afterward
turn the area into a cider pit for late-night
drinks You can also have made-to-order
grilled pizzas
If sweets are your passion, try a dessert station
Pie displays (include mom’s own chocolate pe-
can or grandma’s perfect strawberry rhubarb)
and late-night treats like a waffle and pancake
station with all the toppings – everything from
berries, whipped cream, and salted caramel
sauce to Gruyere and bacon Feel free to have
any size wedding cake in addition for a tradi-
tional cutting
DOWNSIZE IT
Steer away from serving dinner items that
won’t please the masses or may be difficult to
eat for well-dressed folks Instead, rethink the
cherished dish as a one or two-bite appetizer
Try mini sloppy joes with milk shake shooters;
mini tacos with a margarita served in a small
Patrón bottle; mini Southern Belle cocktails
with slow-roasted barbecue pork and Napa
slaw on corn muffins; tomato soup with a mini
grilled cheese; cocktail hamburgers with all the
fixings; buttermilk fried chicken drumettes;
and chicken and waffles wrapped up to look
like a little ice cream cone; mini cheese steaks
These small bites allow you to showcase your
favorite dishes while still having a dinner that’s
appropriate for the formality and/or setting
Example: For a couple with Canadian and
English roots getting married in Santa Bar-
bara, have fun appetizers like cones of crispy
ale-battered cod & chips, mini beef Welling-
ton, and tiny pans of toad in the hole, followed
by a more “wine country” dinner of salmon,
organic chicken, mushroom ravioli with sage
butter, and farmers market grilled veggies It’s
very easy to do cookie-cutter weddings, but
every app, station, main course, and late-night
snack should make people get excited!”
Copyright © CTW Features
How to Plan Your Menu, Your Way
Your favorite everyday foods are the perfect
go-to for your wedding menu.
Here’s how to do it