With summer wedding season just about here, it’s time to talk about the single most essential element of your wedding. The food! That’s right, the food!
Sunny summer weather calls for lighter, fresh food. Think fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, light airy desserts and refreshing drinks. All of that extra vitamin D from the summer sunshine tends to make us more sociable & outgoing, so offering a variety of finger foods will allow your guests to munch & mingle at the same time. They may even get up & dance, so make some room! On the other hand, guests can mingle over appetizers & cocktails for awhile before sitting down to a main course of their choice.
Lemon or mesquite baked chicken and grilled salmon or halibut served with mango salsa are a lighter warm weather choice. Anything grilled is sure to be a hit! Take advantage of seasonal fresh vegetables & fruits. Some great summer hors d’oeuvre ideas are:
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- Fresh Tomato & Basil Bruschetta with Fresh Mozzarella, Found on Pinterest.
- Watermelon with prosciutto
- Cucumber slices with smoked salmon & cream cheese with a sprig of dill
- Iced jumbo cocktail shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce
- Varieties of fresh sushi (impress your guests with a sushi chef on standby)
- Lettuce wraps filled with pork, ginger & cabbage with a light vinaigrette on fresh greens..
Some other great options are:
- Jalapeno infused deviled eggs
- Fried wontons topped with crab salad & lime
- Veggie trays with varieties of dips
- Fresh fruit salads
- Pineapple, grapes, melon & strawberries are always a crowd pleaser!
For your entree / appetizer option, remember that anything on a skewer or a stick is always cool:
- Teriyaki chicken strips threaded on skewers
- Grilled veggie skewers with corn on the cob
- Zucchini, mushrooms & bell peppers
- Sweet & sour meatballs on a stick
Desserts can include a chocolate fountain with a variety of fresh fruit, lemon bars, petit fours, mousse, strawberry shortcake, or tangy tartlets. Varieties of fruit flavored lemonades & iced teas will quench thirsts & tantalize the taste buds at the same time! Add a variety of frozen melon balls to your favorite homemade punch.
Watermelon, mojito or lemon cello granitas are a more sophisticated version of a sno-cone for the young & old alike and can be served with or without alcohol. When planning your reception menu, keep in mind that it’s better to go with simple & delicious rather than extravagant & unfamiliar. Choose food that you love & your guests will love it too!
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Updated by Marble on 1/31/13
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