Is this menu at a wedding acceptable?

Question

Ok. My fiance and I are going away to get married and then coming back for a huge reception with all our family and friends. We are opting for something very low key and fun. Budget is obviously an issue for us so here is a menu we came up with. Please tell me if you think this is an acceptable menu and what you would think if you went to a post wedding reception with this food. Keep in mind we are from the South so people love BBQ!

Gourmet Hamburgers
Hotdogs
Potato Salad
Cowboy Beans
Chips W/Dip
Veggie Tray
Fruit Skewers w/dip

Of course cake for dessert!

Do you think this would appear cheap? How can we fancy it up a little? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Having gourmet toppings for the hamburgers and hot dogs will be good. Like sauteed mushrooms, onions, cheese, etc.



You should add loaded potatoes (not sure if that is the name). Get pan fried potatoes and load them up with sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, green onion and some salsa. That would be a good addition.



If you think the hot dogs and hamburgers are too cheap looking. You can buy beef short ribs. Marinate them in soy sauce, beef stock, pepper, salt, onion and garlic over night and BBQ 3-4 per person. Check out the cost though. With it you can serve pasta with a tomato sauce, cheap as well.



Good luck and your idea sounds great.

Answer 2

As to the comment about food poisoning - doing hamburgers for a large number of people is NOT an issue, with enough staff, and I'm sure your caterer knows that. I've worked in a catering facility with picnic grounds, and we've had picnics with up to 1,000 guests! We've never ONCE had an issue with food poisoning, and the health code where we are requires all burgers to be served well done. We don't serve them any other way, regardless of customer requests.



If you're really concerned about it, they make pre-cooked hamburger patties which are only grilled for 2-3 minutes a side to heat and get that grill flavor into them.



I think it's a great menu and will be a fun time! Like someone else said, maybe a side or two more - some macaroni salad maybe, and perhaps a vegetarian option? You could do portobello mushroom "burgers" to keep up with the gourmet burger idea.



Congrats on your wedding!!

Answer 3

The menu is better than that served at many weddings! Too often the food served at weddings is cold and rubbery and the buffets have several different kinds of food that should be served hot but isn't.



Make sure that the buns are served warm because nothing ruins a burger faster than being put on a cold bun. I would prefer a regular salad or ceasar salad instead of the veggie tray. Even though you have planned cake for dessert, many people will eat the fruit skewers as dessert. Along with the fruit skewers you could serve some strawberries dipped in chocolate, both white and dark.

Answer 4

Hi and congratulations!



It all sounds yummy to me!



YES, this is an acceptable menu. What would I think? I would think that this couple is wanting a fun, laid back reception. Perfectly fine! NO, I would not think this is cheap.



The only thing that I would add would possibly be one more pasta salad. A cold pasta salad. I have one I make all the time and it's a hit. Email me if you want the recipe. Otherwise, there are LOTS of ideas on the internet including step by step instructions.



Fancy it up? Well, I think an easy and not too expensive way of fancying things up is to "dress up your tables" a bit. Perhaps do up some centerpieces. Easy, inexpensive ones are to recycle soup cans. Remove the label.....tie a ribbon with some raffia around the middle and put in some flowers. Easy! You can even spray paint them if you want them a certain color instead of the silver.



OR.....buy the small clay pots....paint them if you want....and put in a potted flowering plant.



Another idea to make it a little nicer, in my opinion, is to use nicer "tableware." Get matching colored plates (if using the plastic ones) and coordinating napkins. You can even buy these at dollar stores. If you want "wedding" tableware....look on www.orientaltradingcompany.com OR on Ebay OR on the internet. There are lots of sites that sell these.



~ Wrap the fork and knife in a napkin and secure it with a silk ribbon. Put all the sets into a cute basket so it's easy for your guests to just grab one.



Hope this helps! Good luck and I hope you have a great wedding and reception.

Answer 5

Is this wedding reception for show, or a time to get together with your friends and family? If for the former, maybe not; if for the latter, then have whatever you desire. I, personally, cannot see the purpose of having a reception for show. I wouldn't even want to be there. On the other hand, I'd be delighted to share in a *real* get-together where what is served matches the wonderful company.

Answer 6

You are providing your guests with a meal and paying for it yourself, so I see nothing at all wrong with it. Actually sounds really good.

You are doing great by working within your budget.

You can say something like cookout reception, barbecue reception or whatever to set the mood.

Have a wonderful time and have fun, I'm sure your guests will enjoy your wedding. .

Answer 7

The menu sounds fantastic! I think $30/per person sounds very reasonable. The only things that sound pricey to me are the rolls and the cider. In fact, I think you can do without the cider. You'll have coffee and tea, and I really don't know anyone who cares for cider all that much. I'd rather have another veggie (like steamed green beans) than the cider option.

Answer 8

Sounds delicious. And very cheap. BBQs for weddings where I am from is practically unheard of. Weddings are an elaborate affair and only the best are served to our guests. However, as you stated you are from the south. I am assuming this menu is the norm? If thats the case,I would continue with this menu. It does sound very yummy, just not very wedding menuy. Its your wedding though and technically its a post party so you should get away with it. Best of luck

Answer 9

Honestly, you should do what you want. Your friends and family aren't coming for the food, they're coming for you and your husband-to-be. In fact, I've been to a few weddings where they had people bring covered dishes as a potluck type deal. I'm from the south as well, and proud of it, so don't forget the sweet tea!!!! Chocolate fondue fountains with strawberries and pineapple are pretty popular as well.

Answer 10

Sorry, not good enough for a reception really, budget is a concern I understand and I don't know if this is to be catered or just cooked up by people but this just too plain. BBQ is fine but definately dress it up, for example, why not chicken, not so much more expensive but a little nicer and you can still BBQ or put on skewers.get some steak, yes expensive but only get a little and do a nice mixed skewer with veggies on it. And you can come up with some other sides that will be no more expensive, like a nice pasta dish.



Its your day so really have what you want but you did ask....

Answer 11

You say a "huge" reception but haven't mentioned the number of people. I don't think hamburgers are a good idea as the possibility of food poisoning needs to be considered so you might want to serve something which can be cooked in advance and then grilled for 7 -10 minutes before being served - pork spare-ribs cut into 2-rib portions might prove to be a better choice. Or, how about barbecued brisket which can be cooked days earlier and served on grilled 'burger buns? Everything else sounds good and I'm sure your guests will enjoy what you serve.

Have a lovely wedding and a happy future.

Answer 12

Being from Texas this is the menu I've seen at every wedding I've been to I've considered fun and memorable. If I get to a reception and Duck a L'orange is being served I know it will be more serious and quiet than fun. : (

Answer 13

I had a cousin who eloped then came home and held a BBQ just as you described. It was one of the most fun wedding-related parties I have ever attended.



I wouldn't change a thing - keep it casual & fun!

Answer 14

Very low key, but that's what your aiming for.



It does sound a little cheap...just to be honest. Hos simple is the ceremony?? As long as the ceremony isn't extremely elaborate then it won't be tacky to have a simple reception.

Answer 15

Sounds great! My sister did the same thing!!! It turned out really fun and laid back!!!

I think you'll be surprised at how your guest will probably appreciate the laid back environment, vs a traditional "sit down" dinner!

Best Wishes and Good Luck!

Answer 16

Yum I love me some bbq's..lol.. I think it's a great idea. Cheap and good food. I love the fruit skewer idea...

Answer 17

you know what? So its not a typical fancy wedding menu...I like it :) I would totally eat it and enjoy it.



In fact, I find foods like that better than the fancy ones

Answer 18

Sounds yummy to me. I wouldn't change anything except perhaps having the option of garden burgers for any vegetarians.

Answer 19

It sounds absolutely wonderful and delish!!!! Have a wonderful time. I'd love to go to that reception :)

Answer 20

If it's just for the reception, and it's help outside, then that's great.

Answer 21

its a lot of the same things on my wedding menu...seems fine to me. if everybody eats it adn thinks its good...who cares? its good!! i aint trying to make nobody happy but me and my fiance...and we like it just fine so. congrats! =]

Answer 22

well that menu is fine if you're hiring a caterer. I mean it might be the same food you'd make yourself but the fact you're hiring a caterer elevates the formality of the event just a little and shows respect for your guests and for the event.

Answer 23

I'm actually going to have to disagree. You really don't have any vegan options, let alone vegetarian ones.



I don't see how it can be considered cheap with the amount of meat you're serving, and I suspect that the fruit skewers are going to include exotic fruits, so there's your fancy aspect.

Answer 24

No ribs????? No fried chicken???? No mac & cheese???? Corn on the Cob? *pouts".....lol and don't forget the sweet tea, darlin'...

Answer 25

that sounds yummy and unique. people will actually eat your food!

Answer 26

no to the hot dogs, and the beans

Answer 27

great menu.

Answer 28

you should get a chocolate fountain for the fruit.. :)