Eat, Drink and Be Married

CRAFT A MENU THAT’S BOTH DELICIOUS AND SENTIMENTAL

Feeling a little overwhelmed planning your wedding day feast? Don’t panic! Once you learn a couple tricks of the trade and answer a few basic questions about your vision, your caterer will be able to help you craft the perfect meal for your perfect day while also infusing the personalities of you and your fiancé. GET PERSONAL.

DECIDE HOW TO SERVE THE FOOD. Food service sets the tone for the rest of the reception, so take the time to mull over the following serving options before you pick the menu.

Full service is for couples who want the meal to be the star of the show. If you don’t mind dinner taking up a good part of your reception, having individual courses served directly to your guests is the way to go. It is also the safest way to go since it requires the least amount of handling.

A buffet is for couples who can’t wait to get dancing. Opting for a buffet-style dinner gives you enough time to enjoy your food and a few toasts, but also gets the party started sooner. Keep in mind that social distancing may be more difficult to enforce, and clear partitions may need to be used between food stations, depending on public health guidelines. Once dinner wraps up, everyone is free to hit the

A combo is for couples who want the best of both worlds. Have the main course served directly to each guest, but skip wait staff for dessert and have your guests serve themselves. This way, you get all the elegance of a full-service dinner plus the added expedience of a buffet.

PICK MEANINGFUL DISHES. Work with your caterer to create a menu that has meaning to you and your fiancé. Think about your favorite meals to cook together and dishes that conjure up happy memories. Come up with a list and then talk to your caterer about them.

However, keep in mind that you and your partner aren’t the only ones dining out on your wedding night. Avoid unnerving your guests by offering a variety of options that are delicious, but don’t feel outlandish to guests with less adventurous palates.

dance floor or go back for seconds. There’s no point in serving cuisine that has special meaning to you if your guests have no clue about the backstory! Work with your stationer to personalize the menu card by adding little notes about how ravioli was the first dinner you ever cooked together or how lobster bisque reminds you of summer trips to Maine.

CELEBRATE YOUR CULTURE AND BACKGROUND. One of the most beautiful elements of marriage is its ability to unite people who come from different places and upbringings. This type of melding is definitely something to be celebrated, so whether you’re Hindu and marrying a Christian, or a Bulldogs fan tying the knot with a Gators fan, consider using your menu to showcase your unique blending of cultures.

ENJOY YOUR MEAL. Most couples are so distracted during their reception that they just pick at their food or forget to eat completely. Give yourself the opportunity to really enjoy the food you spent so much time selecting. Planning a menu for a big group of people can be stressful. Our best advice is to trust your caterers. Feeding crowds is what they do best, so once you communicate your vision, it’s OK to let your caterer take the reins. Relinquishing control may feel scary, but the end result is worth it — a room full of your favorite people enjoying an amazing meal. ■