Help with Menu Planning Please

Warm congratulations, SKK, and all best wishes to the happy couple.

What an amazing thread! When I was stuck I threw out a question and it resulted in not only amazing recipes and ideas but best wishes to my daughter and her fiance, now my son. (He said so - he called me because he had forgotten something and said "Hi Mom"

The menu came from you, your suggestions and your recipes. And are/were cheered by the wedding guests.

Food52 is a gift!

Congratulations, Sharon!!! What thrilling news. Your daughter is a doll, and I hope the groom is deserving of her ;-).
Might I suggest a batch of pickled prunes with some lovely thinly sliced sausages (perhaps from Olympic Provisions - I can send you some if you'd like) and some hard sliced cheeses with good bread.

How exciting, Sharon! Wow, a ferry ride from Seattle, you will be on my side of the Sound, and so true, there aren't many pizza delivery places around here :) I found that the first week of living here in the country.

Love the cold buffet idea, so many great Food52er suggestions!

Wishing you the time of your life and lots wonderful memories...I'm so excited for you and Big Congrats to Krista! xo

Captured all the recommendations posted. Perhaps we have created a Foood52 mini-cookbook! My daughter is astounded by the many congratulations you all have posted, and the amazing menu ideas. I am just happy! Thank you.

SeaJambon, you are making me giggle! I have so appreciated the responses to this question and the congratulations - when I feel myself getting too wrapped in perfection I come back and read these responses!

I agree that Mensaque's advice is LOVELY! Thank you so much for sharing. I think I need to print it somewhere to keep it handy (and I imagine all those things packed in Sam 1148's picnic hamper). So much more interesting than simply having the bride wear "something borrowed, something new, something white, something blue and a half penny in her shoe" ... oh, I think I need to go pop in some Downton Abbey...)

What wonderful advice, mensaque! Thank you so much. I will be including everything you said. Love that you are sharing this. I am all for white light and love!

A ferry ride from Seattle...I attended a wedding in the San Juans on Orcas to be exact and it was fabulous. And we had great food the entire time. I had some fantastic artichokes there. But I would agree with a buffet variety and make it easy, don't worry it's more about the company! Haul it in put it on a pretty platter and be done with it. There is so much garbage and stress attached to weddings. More importantly, congratulations!

Hey,SKK!So happy for you and of course for the bride and groom!May they have lots of happiness together and kids as sweet as their grandma...I think you're passed the point of gathering new ideas,but I wanted to share something with you.Keeping it light seems to be the best choice,but how about adding some items to bring good vibrations? You must understand Brazil is a land of many faiths,beliefs,and many superstitions because it's a land of many cultures:african,european and native that were mixed in 5 centures of history molding the people we became,so we're inclined to believe that energies and thoughts may have effects on matter.--If you think I'm full of crap,it's OK.I'll face it with good humor.But,if you think I'm on to something,here goes: 1)rice or bread are for abundance on their table 2)cherries for love and strawberries for passion 3)pomegranate for fertility 4)rosemary for protection of their home 5)onions and potatoes for good health 6)lentils and nutmeg for money and work 7)red pepper against envy 8)garlic to avoid the enemy 9)bay leaves to avoid bad omens 10)orange zest and sugar for purity 11)green grapes for good luck 12)rock salt and sage for cleansing. You can use these ingredients on the meal or create a ritual. Imagine a beautifull white light surrounding you all and the food and send her all your love through it...XOXO.

Will do bugbitten! Blessings back at ya!

This joker's final advice: screw the food and just be beautiful, which is to say, just be yourself. Bless

Finger foods. No one wants to eat heavy for sure before the wedding.No bloating from salt either! Cube fresh fruits, have some cheeses, proscuitto and some bakery crostini or bread sticks. Desert? Chocolate covered strawberries or a nice 7 layer fruit salad. Keep everything chilled, small and fresh

Just attended such a function. We had a baked potato bar with pre-made bite-sized sweets. Host was with us all the while. What a fun time.

...and if it's buffet reception. Don't forget to bring some tupperware stuff for the bridesmaids, grooms, family, etc to take home. They need attention too..(so, just put foil, Tupperware, available at the end)

I'm not proud about packing up stuff at a buffet at end game, or catered events, when stuff is removed and discarded after the event. for left overs to guests for 'to go packages'. As some are in in hotels and snacks, foods from the event would just go to waste or most likely by the staff--so they need something too.
But for bride and groom...you do that for them. They're too busy to think about such things.

Warmest Congratulations SKK!!! I can not agree more with boulangere! The most important for you and your daughter to be happy and have a wonderful time, which you will remember for many years to come; and I also wish you to have only the same kind of “problems” when celebrating their fifth, tens and many more wedding anniversaries!

Can you make it pot luck? When my friend got married, we had a potluck get together with lots of delicious, healthful-for the most part-foods like salmon and grain salads, guacamole, a cheese platter with crackers, vegetables, fruit, and lots of chocolate covered things for dessert. If you can't do that, I'd agree with buying as much as you can. No matter how much you love cooking--and I do too--it is another task that can be stressful when you have a lot going on. You can buy great cheeses and breads, mixed nuts, olives, salumi, cut up fruit and vegetables, and if you need something heartier, buy some mains from your favorite place. Or buy the refrigerated pizza dough (not the frozen, junky stuff), lay out toppings, and let everyone make pizzas. You can even do a dessert pizza, but again, here, I'd go to my favorite bakery and make it easy.

Congrats on the wedding, you've done enough. Make it super simple and don't over think thing.

As an aside. My standard wedding gift is a picnic basket, and put in some summer sausages good mustard, cheeses (okay the baby bell, laughing cow stuff), water crackers, Etc.. (yeah the typical Hickory Farms type things in a good wicker basket).

In all the cases the Couple mentioned it was one of the best gifts, as they where 'on stage' for the main event and hardly had anything to eat and couldn't relax and eat. So the basket was used for hotel snacks, and leftover late night food hotel room for them when they finally decompressed and relaxed.

So for the aftermath of the event--be sure and pack them some 'to go' stuff to eat later that evening to take back to their room. (or outsource this task to someone).

Thank you all for your congratulations and WONDERFUL ideas! I find myself a little teary at this outpouring of support. And mightily relieved that I can have the menu put together by this Sunday.

You are all the best!

Another cold buffet idea would be to make some nice spreads one or two days before and serve with a few salads and bread.

Maybe a salmon spread like Merril’s salmon mousse http://www.food52.com/blog/504_smoked_salmon_mousse_on_rye_toasts,

a meat pate like this one: http://www.food52.com/recipes/2269_the_most_requested_pate_ever

a light potato salad http://www.food52.com/recipes/6642_roasted_radish_and_potato_salad_with_black_mustard_and_cumin_seed

maybe a grain salad (this farro salad is a huge pot-luck hit) http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/video-citrus-parmesan-farro-salad-recipe.html

a simple green salad

and dessert you make at least the day before - a cheesecake you can make 2 days before? Freezer cookies?

You could do the mousse and pate the day before and pre-cook some of the salad ingredients, assemble the salads in the morning. Then you just have to dress the green salad and spread everything out as the guests arrive.

Warm congratulations to you all! The cold buffet ideas are wonderful. Easy to pre-plate, cover, refrigerate. Also makes for convenient leftovers. I've been making this salad again lately. It can be made ahead of time and keeps almost forever, or at least until it's gone:
http://www.food52.com/recipes/14253_chasing_cezanne_carrot_corn_salad
I love the idea of your party!

If you go the taco route, the Barbacoa Beef tacos from a while back are delicious and you can make it way ahead and freeze it, then reheate in a crockpot. You can just leave it on low for guests to serve themselves as they arrive. I did this with another cheaper cut of beef and it was terrific. The pickled onions were a huge hit too.
http://food52.com/recipes/2731_barbacoa_beef_cheek_tacos
You really don't need anything besides tortillas, but a little salsa and guacamole with chips, some queso fresco, chopped lettuce would be nice. If you have vegetarians, maybe some black beans simmered in tomatoes with cumin and lime.
Serve with a corn or quinoa salad and a green salad on the side. Maybe something simple for dessert that you can make a day ahead like Lazy Mary's lemon tart and a fruit salad with whipped cream.

Congratulations! The cold buffet does sounds good and easy. Does the bride-to-be have favorite foods that can be incorporated? A favorite beverage?

First - congrats! How lovely to be so involved in your daughter's wedding. (Adore mine - can only imagine how you must feel.)

But since it sounds like you have your hands full and it's the night before the big day, I second the idea of making it easy - love the idea of platters of take-out sushi. But pizza or any local place you and your daughter love - let them fuss and deliver - sit back, pour some champagne or her favorite wine or cocktail, and toast your girl.

Hummus, pita breads, veggies. The mentioned pizzas. (heck, even take a short cut and get the boboli crusts). Grilled chicken breasts, grilled and chopped stored, as a topping with basil and Béchamel sauce as a option---tomato sauce might be too much acid for nervous stomachs. Same for anything too spicy. A good cold cut and cheese platter--with 'cocktail' bread. Fruits--how about a Watermelon Granita? For fancy---crab cakes; small ones. Have them chilled and bake or fry when guests arrive.
Oh, and a quiche. Make the night before and served chilled with salad.

Low sodium - no one wants to be bloated for the photos, especially the bride - congrats!

Congrats! I think corn salad sounds great. I like my corn salad with lime juice and olive oil dressing - no dairy. You can serve with fresh corn - not grilled - as well. It's great either way.
http://www.food52.com/recipes/5916_heirloom_tomato_and_grilled_corn_salad

Five and Spices Crunchy Salad is also very good: http://www.food52.com/recipes/16584_the_juicy_crunchy_trifecta_salad

I'm with SeaJambon on both counts -- first, congrats, and second, the cold buffet, with perhaps a couple of salads? Two of my faves from Creamtea and Merrill:

http://food52.com/recipes/12928_dilled_crunchy_sweetcorn_salad_with_buttermilk_dressing

http://food52.com/recipes/5710_farro_salad_with_roasted_mushrooms_and_parmesan

What about a selection of sandwiches that don't need to be served hot - like Waverly's Pan Bagnat. Ina Garten has a lot of sandwiches that I like - filet of beef with truffle butter and arugula. Easy to make and prep ahead. Or perhaps a nicoise platter? That's a bit more elegant and dinner-like. This time of year - I really like zucchini fritters - little patties with feta, dill, parsley, egg - served with greek yogurt - they are just as tasty at room temperature.

With the craziness of planning a wedding and since your brain is so fried, why don't you just order takeout? Order a sushi platter from Costco (it's surprisingly good) or grab/order a party tray (wings, cheese, crackers, cold cuts, etc) from the supermarket. Or order from your favorite restaurant. Many places make most of their money from catering rather than the food sold at the restaurant. I have twice ordered some carnitas and carne asada from my favorite taqueria who makes the best handmade corn tortillas and salsas ever. The cost was very reasonable and not all as expensive as I thought it would.

With a wedding, there's no crime in outsourcing ;)

Taco salad? If you set the ingredients out buffet-style, everyone can just help themselves as they arrive. We did taco salad for just our close family for after our wedding and it worked really well. It makes carnivores, raw food people, vegetarians, gluten-free people, and vegans all happy at once with very little fuss. Get creative with your toppings: shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, sunflower seeds, homemade salsa, hard boiled egg, black beans, etc. You could even serve some of your homemade dehydrated goodness as chips! It also instantly encourages margaritas. =)

Congratulations to your daughter!

Taco salad? If you set the ingredients out buffet-style, everyone can just help themselves as they arrive. We did taco salad for just our close family for after our wedding and it worked really well. It makes carnivores, raw food people, vegetarians, gluten-free people, and vegans all happy at once with very little fuss. Get creative with your toppings: shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, sunflower seeds, homemade salsa, hard boiled egg, black beans, etc. You could even serve some of your homemade dehydrated goodness as chips! It also instantly encourages margaritas. =)

Congratulations to your daughter!

SKK- First CONGRATULATIONS!! What a wonderful problem to have!

If it was me, I'd probably think along the lines of a light,cold buffet. Maybe with some yummy soft cheeses, nice bread sliced, crackers, lots of summer fresh fruit, and perhaps something like a whole smoked turkey to center it. And lots of cold beverages -- adult and kid! (and, digression, but just saw on Pintrest something that I thought was really cute -- pint sized canning jars (lids on) filled with premixed adult beverages in an ice filled chest).

Don't know much about this, but doesn't a slumber party call for lots of giggling when the pizza delivery guy catches you in your nighty?