The meal at the reception can be one of the most expensive aspects of the wedding. How it is catered can also vary widely, based on the type of wedding, the families involved and the budget limitations. For some weddings--particularly receptions that occur at night--appetizers are sometimes suitable. But if you have your heart set on a dinner at your reception, you have several options available to you, whether you choose to cater the event on your own or hire a catering company.
Sit-Down Dinners
Most sit-down dinners feature servers who provide table service. The food often comes out in courses, starting with a salad, progressing to the main course and often finishing with wedding cake for dessert. The main course typically features a meat as the primary entree. Beef, pork and chicken are common; a less common, yet impressive entree, is salmon. Because of people's eating preferences, consider providing alternative options to meat, or offering more than one type of meat for guests to request when they return their RSVP card. Steamed or roasted vegetables are common, and can be a mix of different vegetables, or feature one specific type, such as green beans or potatoes. Dinner rolls are routine, and side pastas--whether hot or cold--are versatile and inexpensive.
Buffet Dinners
Buffets typically feature a greater number of foods to provide more options to guests. You can have many of the same menu items in a buffet that you would choose for a sit-down dinner. Consider adding other items to ensure all guests will find something they like. Fruit platters and cheese spreads are a good idea, and you can include salad in the buffet line if you don't serve it at the table. Finger foods like canapes, crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms also are popular choices for a buffet line.
Cocktail Receptions
Cocktail receptions don't feature a dinner menu, but it is still wise to provide food at the reception so that you don't lose guests early in the night. Finger foods are the primary offering for a cocktail reception. You can serve meatballs and chicken wings, or you can more elegant items like dim sum, bite-size fajitas and lobster rolls. The reduced amount of food, compared with sit-down dinners and buffets, can save money, or allow you to purchase more upscale food.
