Post # 1
Member
8 posts
Newbee
Okay…so we live in western New York State and those of you familiar with this area know that most of the folks around here aren’t exactly cultured. My fiance and I are planning an outdoor summer wedding in mid July. We love Greek cuisine and fell in love with a salad that we shared while visiting friends in Long Island. It was a simple salad with the greens tossed in a very light, bright, herby vinagerette. It was garnished with a few kalamatta olives, cucumber, curls of tomato, a chunk of feta cheese and one dolma (rice stuffed grape leaf). Then a skewer of chicken medallions was laid across the salad. It was also served with warm pita bread and hummus/ tatziki for dipping the bread. This is typically a very hot time of the year for WNY and the past few summers, we have experienced very humid weather in the high 80’s or even 90’s at this time of year. So, I thought a lighter entree would be more appropriate than heavy hot foods. I also planned on serving an array of artisan breads with oils and butters as well as cheese, veggies and fruit druing the cocktail hour. Late night, we have been kicking around ideas like a nacho bar or soul food.
The problem is that my sister-in-law expressed that she didn’t think that anyone would eat our “weird” salad. People in this neck of the woods are more accustomed to your typical buffet style menu consisting of pasta salad, beef on wick and meatball sandwiches. Now she has me concerned. We planned to offer the choice of beef medallions in lieu of chicken and even considered a portobello mushroom option for our vegetarian friends. I felt really good about our choices! Now I feel like everyone is going to sit there staring at their plates in disgust and confusion! My sister-in-law feels like this giagantic salad won’t fill people up either. I think this is ridiculous…I mean, I don’t want everyone to gorge themselves until they are too sluggish to dance.
I guess my whole thought is that we want to share with our family and friends a meal that is special to us. We are focusing on local and seasonal options because the concept of eating local is important to us. Should I care if some of the guest think our ideas are weird? I mean, I have always been the wierd one anyway. So…gimme your thoughts and ideas……
Post # 3
Member
4499 posts
Honey bee
I think your meal sounds fabulous, and it should appeal to just about everyone. It’s basically salad plus meat (or mushroom) and bread… Everyone likes that! I say go for it and don’t worry.
Post # 4
Member
9948 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
This is YOUR Wedding.
It is supposed to reflect the things, tastes / objects of meaning to you and your Hubby-2-B
Guests are fairly resilent they will adapt (Greek Salad / Mediterrean Salad isn’t that FAR OUT there as your SIL wants to imply). No one will starve… there is enough familiar food that even the pickiest of eaters will survive (a few might discover something new… not a bad thing)
Lol, when I got married the first time 30+ Years ago EVERYONE did the same thing food wise… chicken (or what we affectionately called “rubber chicken” because it was pretty much tasteless) was the main staple back in the day, served with an ice-cream scoop of mashed potatoes.
My Parents were concerned when as a couple we said we wanted Roast Beef (Prime Rib) with Baked Potatoes and sides of Sour Cream and Horseradish. Along with assorted veggies, and a starter of a Mixed Veggie Salad (everyone was doing just green salads).
Our meal was a HUGE HIT… folks raved how great it was to have some “real food” for a change at a Wedding.
Trust me when I say, things will be ok for you as well.
I am from the other side of Lake Ontario… and I have been to Weddings in Upstate NY… trust me when I say, people will adapt… and folks are a lot more travelled than your SIL is giving them credit for.
*ROLLS EYES*
You’ll be fine. Your Wedding vision sounds lovely.
Post # 5
Member
2135 posts
Buzzing bee
@pamela.pacer: Um, I don’t think that is weird at all. I’m from WNY, and I don’t know how anyone would think that is weird. I would take that any day over the usual wedding food (I had some people tell me to do Chiavetta’s, but I did not want to do that for the wedding! But I compromised and am doing that for the shower.)
I don’t think that many people would have problems with that menu, it sounds great!
Post # 6
Member
3696 posts
Sugar bee
It sounds absolutely delicious, and you should stick with your menu. Maybe add in a few “familiar” options so that people who are really averse to trying new things can have a fallback option, but frankly, that salad sounds fantastic, and I don’t think it sounds threatening. If people don’t like olives or dolmades, etc., they can easily pick them off.
Post # 7
Member
8 posts
Newbee
You guys made me feel so much better! Thank you! I am going to stick to it. I think the Allegany Co. folks are going to be the hard ones to please, but a little culture never hurt anyone. It is so funny to me that anyone would think to complain becuase Greek salad seems so tame to me! I we travel just an hour north to Buffalo, there are Greek restaurants everywhere. I think that people just like to complain. At least they will actually remember my wedding for years to come! Beef on weck…while delicious…just isn’t that memorable! 🙂
Post # 8
Member
4038 posts
Honey bee
I think it sounds great! I’d pick off the olives and slip them onto DH’s plate, but that’s just my personal preference. You should definitely keep it!
Post # 9
Member
2622 posts
Sugar bee
As long as there is enough meat so people will be full, I say its a go. the thing is, make sure there is enough meat. Myself and my husband would love this meal, but if there were only 1 skewer of meat we would still be hungry.
Post # 10
Member
1367 posts
Bumble bee
OMG, sorry, I can’t beleive your SIL… Greek Salad is delish!!! I LOOOOVE mediterranean cuisine. I bet everyone except your SIL will love your choice.
Post # 11
Member
109 posts
Blushing bee
Oh my goodness, it sounds to me like your sister-in-law is being silly. I don’t think she speaks for everyone. That salad doesn’t sound weird at all–it sounds fantastic! Especially in the warm weather. I think there are cases where people really should consider whether their guests might enjoy their choices of cuisine, but seriously, I have to agree with you that very few people would find Greek salad weird. I don’t want to pick on your SIL, but I can’t shake this image of her eating a pb&j or something while everyone enjoys your beautiful meal. Haha!
Post # 12
Member
8 posts
Newbee
I told her that I would bring her a meatball sandwhich! lol
Post # 14
Member
8 posts
Newbee
@ThreeMeers: They will be medallions that are just served on a skewer and there was like four large medallions of meat…so I think it would be plenty.
Post # 15
Member
720 posts
Busy bee
Definitely keep the salad idea! I actually wouldn’t like the salad personally as I don’t like olives or feta, but I would just pick those out! People will adapt..if there’s nothing in the salad they like there’s still the meat and bread!
Post # 16
Member
2649 posts
Sugar bee
Your good. No one will turn away free food. -:)