My fiance and I are planning a small outdoor wedding for next summer. Our plan is to have an intimate (50 ppl) low-key fun wedding overlooking the river. For our reception we wanted to do sort of an upscale BBQ buffet. I know I'm not the only one with this idea, but I've been scouring the net and I can't find any examples of the actual food people have served. My mom insists I should do filet mignon and lobster tail but we only have a $6,000 budget, so thats pretty much out of the question. I was thinking more along the lines of grilled pork tenderloin, BBQ ribs, roasted veggies, tequila lime chicken, but I'm having trouble with sides that aren't the typical "family picnic" staples like potato salad and coleslaw. For dessert I was thinking it would be a cute idea to serve individual homemade strawberry shortcakes. YUMMMM.
What about putting an upscale twist on the traditional sides? Maybe doing an asian slaw instead of the typical coleslaw, and I have seen several recipes for potato salds with more upscal ingredients. Or how about pasta salads? I love the shortcake idea-maybe giving people a choice of fruit?
grilled corn salad - grilled corn, sliced off the cob, mixed with cherry tomatoes, avocado and lime with a touch of olive oil. i like the asian slaw suggestion as well. for pasta salads, mix orzo with spinach, cherry tomatoes, basil, olives and a crumbly cheese (like feta) with olive oil and lemon or vinegar for a summery side.
other ideas: grilled flatbread, corn muffins/bread, heirloom tomato/mozzerella salad w/ basil, spinach with garlic (or other garlic greens)
Love the idea of the upscale sides. Was going to suggest the same. I've seen a lot of variations of gourmet mac'n'cheese, which could be fun. And LOVE the strawberry shortcake for dessert!
Martha had a darling reception a couple of ideas ago that featured a grilling station that was under an umbrella covered in daisies with a yellow gingham table cloth. It had some great recipes with it and was super cute and would be a great BBQ reception.
We're doing our menu much the same as you since we want it to be a little less formal, but not so casual it feels like a backyard barbecue. We're also health nuts, so we want everything to be delicious and healthy. This is what we have so far:
I love the strawberry shortcake idea :) and don't worry if a dish sounds family picnic: it's a big trend now to dress up otherwise non-fancy food.
I like:
corn on the cob, bonus if it's grilled
pasta salads (people always like it when I do tri colour pasta with halved grape tomatoes, fried mushrooms, black olives, fresh herbs, oil, vinegar, lemon and pine nuts, plus my secret ingredient of some powdered chicken bouillon)
My fiance and I are planning a small outdoor wedding for next summer. Our plan is to have an intimate (50 ppl) low-key fun wedding overlooking the river. For our reception we wanted to do sort of an upscale BBQ buffet. I know I'm not the only one with this idea, but I've been scouring the net and I can't find any examples of the actual food people have served. My mom insists I should do filet mignon and lobster tail but we only have a $6,000 budget, so thats pretty much out of the question. I was thinking more along the lines of grilled pork tenderloin, BBQ ribs, roasted veggies, tequila lime chicken, but I'm having trouble with sides that aren't the typical "family picnic" staples like potato salad and coleslaw. For dessert I was thinking it would be a cute idea to serve individual homemade strawberry shortcakes. YUMMMM.
I need some ideas... show me what you've got!
posted by MissCamera 75 posts 2 months agoWhat about fruit kabobs? or just watermelon kabobs?
posted by MOB 8 posts 2 months agoWhat about putting an upscale twist on the traditional sides? Maybe doing an asian slaw instead of the typical coleslaw, and I have seen several recipes for potato salds with more upscal ingredients. Or how about pasta salads? I love the shortcake idea-maybe giving people a choice of fruit?
posted by ninanina 48 posts 2 months agogrilled corn salad - grilled corn, sliced off the cob, mixed with cherry tomatoes, avocado and lime with a touch of olive oil. i like the asian slaw suggestion as well. for pasta salads, mix orzo with spinach, cherry tomatoes, basil, olives and a crumbly cheese (like feta) with olive oil and lemon or vinegar for a summery side.
other ideas: grilled flatbread, corn muffins/bread, heirloom tomato/mozzerella salad w/ basil, spinach with garlic (or other garlic greens)
posted by missm 483 posts 2 months agoyum yum! Thanks for your suggestions ladies!
missm- I love the corn salad suggestion. I was also thinking of doing grilled pitas with different hummus flavors and spreads.
posted by MissCamera 75 posts 2 months agoLove the idea of the upscale sides. Was going to suggest the same. I've seen a lot of variations of gourmet mac'n'cheese, which could be fun. And LOVE the strawberry shortcake for dessert!
posted by DCbrideinATL 77 posts 2 months agoI love the idea of upscale sides, too. That's what we'll possibly do for our rehearsal dinner as we're doing a backyard BBQ. ;)
posted by echoleigh 5 posts 2 months agoMartha had a darling reception a couple of ideas ago that featured a grilling station that was under an umbrella covered in daisies with a yellow gingham table cloth. It had some great recipes with it and was super cute and would be a great BBQ reception.
posted by KateMW 483 posts 2 months agoKateMW, you wouldnt happen to know where I could find a link, would you?!
posted by MissCamera 75 posts 2 months agoWe're doing our menu much the same as you since we want it to be a little less formal, but not so casual it feels like a backyard barbecue. We're also health nuts, so we want everything to be delicious and healthy. This is what we have so far:
For appetizers:
- fruit & yogurt parfaits in shot glasses
- fruit & cheese kabobs
- a vertical veggie platter
- pita bread w/ various dips - hummus, etc.
For main meal:
- chicken salad croissant sandwiches & sun-dried tomato turkey wraps
- some sort of pasta salad or a cold couscous salad
- a veggie salad of sorts - the grilled corn salad actually sounds great!
- a fruit salad (my favorite dish made by my mom)
posted by loveatfirstsightlover 43 posts 2 months agothanks for all the great ideas! Should I still serve appetizers or just have the BBQ by itself?
posted by MissCamera 75 posts 2 months agoI love the strawberry shortcake idea :) and don't worry if a dish sounds family picnic: it's a big trend now to dress up otherwise non-fancy food.
I like:
corn on the cob, bonus if it's grilled
pasta salads (people always like it when I do tri colour pasta with halved grape tomatoes, fried mushrooms, black olives, fresh herbs, oil, vinegar, lemon and pine nuts, plus my secret ingredient of some powdered chicken bouillon)
grilled veggies of all kinds
crudites and dip
posted by MsPopcorn 104 posts 2 months ago