10/10/10

Wedding Menus for all Seasons

By Cori Russell

Spring Wedding Menu Ideas

Summon the taste of spring with light flavors and delicate textures…

* In Season - serve a main dish featuring ham or lamb

* Fresh produce – round out the meal with a bounty of fresh fruits and young vegetables like baby carrots, baby asparagus and new potatoes

* Elegant sides – serve mini quiches or update traditional deviled eggs by adding salmon or crabmeat

* Bar favorites – a spring menu seems to call for champagne. Mix up a batch of mimosas for a morning wedding, or create a festive champagne cocktail.

Summer Wedding Menu Ideas

Use your summer menu to invoke warmth, sunshine and fun…

* Serve lighter fare – think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.

* Spark up the grill - serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad

* Head to the tropics - feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.

Fall Wedding Menu Ideas

Bring out the rich and comforting tastes of autumn…

* Traditional favorites – you cannot go wrong with seasonal standbys: turkey, red potatoes, corn bread dressing, green beans, and honey glazed carrots.

* Family style – re-create a traditional thanksgiving feast by incorporating your family recipes into your wedding menu and serving the meal family style (if your guest list is small).

* Hearty proteins - Choose a hearty meat that will pair with heavier side dishes – turkey, roasted quail, rib roast

* Keep it elegant – you can serve traditional fare in sophisticated, creative ways – present soup or veggie puree in mini shot classes or hallowed out gourds, or warm apple cider in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks.

Winter Wedding Menu Ideas

Warm up to a decadent winter menu with these cool ideas to reflect the season…

* Hearty dishes – serve heartier fare in sophisticated, creative ways – such as colorful butternut squash puree or warm pumpkin soup in ramekins or shot glasses.

* Wintery beverages – warm guests with eggnog, spiced wine or mixed coffee drinks.



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