When planning a cocktail party, or special event everything seems to be “catered” around dinner.  Couples planning weddings often have trouble deciding what time to start the ceremony.  There is a dilemma of starting events too early because then there is the worry of people being too hungry and having to wait for dinner to start, or if it’s too early will guests want to cut out early because they feel they have been tending your event the entire day.

One of the best things of living in 2014 is that you are allowed to re-invent the wheel and make your own rules.  Guests appreciate the surprise, refreshing, new take on tradition.  Everyone strives to make their event or wedding better than the last and one way to leave your guests talking is to shake things up and make it exciting. You no longer have to follow the standard wedding day timeline and host a dinner affair.

Take a tip from conferences being held around the world and are providing lunch and breakfast services that will leave impressions on guests.  Instead of the old breakfast buffet, chefs and their teams are working closely with event planners to develop menus that are creative and fresh.  You can find servers roaming trade show floors delivering attendants food delivered on trays that are attached around their necks, much like you would find a hot dog vendor at a ball game.  In lieu of hot dogs they deliver delicious smoothies, parfaits, and more to attendants.

The old classic brunch has always been a crowd pleaser and is becoming more popular lately because it is a bit more budget friendly to host a daytime wedding rather than dinner or afternoon, and it is something fresh.  Serving breakfast options at dinner is also showing up more and more.

We came across a wedding on Taste As You Go for a couple who just love brunch and planned their entire reception around it.

Stephen and I love brunch — it’s our favorite meal and something we look forward to every Sunday. That’s why, when it came down to planning our wedding reception, it made perfect sense to plan a brunch reception. Especially since our wedding ceremony was scheduled for late morning.”

Instead of having the typical open bar they hosted a bloody Mary bar set up for guests which included beef jerky, celery, garlic-stuffed olives, pepperoncini, pickled green beans, and radishes.

They also had a Bellini and Mimosa Bar that the Photo Booth of the Stars gives 5 stars to!  Who doesn’t love a strawberry or peach Bellini!   Kudos to this couple!

For their appetizers they offered a selection of light hor d’oeuvres suitable for any time not limited to brunch which included:

  • Ahi      Tuna Sashimi Tataki with Mini Mirin Rice Cakes, served with Wasabi Drizzle      and Pickled Ginger
  • Beef      Tenderloin Crostini
  • Filo-Wrapped      Asparagus with Pesto
  • Fresh      Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Dip
  • Mini      Pretzel Bites with Mustard
  • Prosciutto-Wrapped      Melon
  • Vegetable      Spring Roll Shooters with Duck Sauce

What do you all think about having a late morning wedding opposed to the standard dinner schedule?

Photo Credit:  Brian Samuels Photography,  Mel Barlow, Pinterest pin via Tamara Rittershaus,  Brian Samuels Photography, and Brian Samuels Photography

Author:  L. Fulton-EventsbyL

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