Explore Food Options For Weddings

I read this article in the Houston Sunday paper and added my few senses:
The culmination of most weddings is the reception. At this party, guests typically dance, mingle, and eat. Depending upon the scale of the wedding reception, the food service can be a spectacle in itself- beginning with an elaborate cocktail hour and ending with a decadent display of desserts.

When planning your wedding, your preferences and budget will dictate the type of food service and beverages you offer. However, part of deciding on what to select involves understanding the types of courses and foods involved. To make things easier, here is a brief rundown of food service typical for wedding receptions so you can make an informed decision.

Common services:
Open bar service – Many couples choose to have an open bar at their wedding reception. This typically runs the duration of the reception or terminates an hour prior to the end of the evening. A premium bar service will include top-shelf liquors, frozen drinks, and cream-based drinks, in addition to nonalcoholic soft drinks. You can also choose to scale down bar service to only include beer and soda,
Or wine, beer and a specialty drink named after the bride and groom

Cocktail hour – During the cocktail hour, guests are treated to a display that appeals to all of the senses. This is where the reception hall really gets to shine in its food presentation. The cocktail hour may have a variety of food service options. They are typically offered buffet-style, or guests can come visit stations to self-serve or be served by staff. Elaborate Fruit Antipasto station, breads, butler-passed hors d’ oeuvres – appetizers carried on trays by staff members – as well as hot chafing dishes filled with pastas or other delights may also be available.

The cocktail hour may take place in a room separate from the main reception area or in the room itself. It will usually last an hour.
The bride and groom, as well as the wedding party, may be absent from the cocktail hour – enjoying their own snacks in a private bridal room, or they maybe taking pictures. This helps create an aura of mystery and will allow them to make a grand entrance at the end of the cocktail hour.

Main dinner service – With buffet-style, chafing dishes will be presented where guests choose from among menu items offered. A sit-down dinner service will allow guests to pick among two or three main courses offered – typically a fish, poultry, or beef dish. Salad, soup, or some small appetizer, like sliced fruit, may also be served. A palate refresher – a lemon sorbet, or something similar – might also be served. This is used to break up the courses and cleanse the tongue of rich flavors so that the next food item will be presented in full flavor.

Small Bites
A trendy option is a selection of mini meals, petit entrée Hors d’oeuvres. Your guests will enjoy a variety of familiar foods as mini portions on 6” plates, without breaking your budget.

Another option is to provide Action Stations and heavy hors d’oeuvres as your main course.

Cake service – After the cake cutting tradition (if the couple opts to do so), a slice of wedding cake will be served to each of the guests. At this time, tea or coffee can also be served.

It really all depends on your budget.