How Can a Couple Execute the Theme of Their Wedding through the Menu?
There are so many ways in which wedding cuisine can speak to guests. The personalities and preferences of the bride and groom may be glimpsed through serving their favorite dishes, while other foods may be prepared to reflect their ethnicities or backgrounds. For a destination wedding at the beach, seafood is a must, while mouthwatering comfort food is the perfect option for a wedding held down South. An affair that has a Mardi Gras theme? Cajun cuisine all the way! We say filling the bellies of your besties with the best food possible is the pathway to a perfect wedding.
In our Summer 2015 Wedding Issue we caught up Kelly Walling of Atlanta catering company, Soiree Catering & Events for a quick Q&A about wedding menus and crafting the perfect menu. Basically the new rule of catering is… there are no rules. Time to get creative and hear what Kelly has to say.
What is your take on the role of the menu plays on wedding day?
Catering plays a huge part in the big day, and actually sets the tone for the flow of the evening! We customize our menus for each couple, that way it is cohesive with the entire event! Whether they decide on a casual afternoon reception or upscale evening affair, then menu should reflect that.
How does the couple execute the theme of their wedding through the menu?
There are so many different options when it comes to incorporating a theme into a menu. If the couple is from the coast, of course we would love to serve an array of fresh seafood, with different mini meal stations that coordinate. If the groom grew up on a farm, we would suggest a family style meal with seasonal side dishes. If the bride loves trying new restaurants and dining out, she would probably love to serve her guests a four course plated dinner or stations that highlight her favorite cuisines. Every couple is different and it is so important to showcase that throughout the reception.
In what ways can the couple get creative with the menu?
We love the detail that goes into creating a menu with the bride and groom. Usually, we start the process by talking about where they are from, their favorite restaurants in Atlanta, trips the couple may have taken together and even their favorite meals at home. There is even that sense of nostalgia behind good familiar food and old family recipes, and we try to help recreate that for them to share with their guests. It’s fun to pull from their favorite things and experiences they have had together to come up with a menu that truly reflects them.
PST – if you want to see all the photos from our Summer 2015 cover shoot, click here.
SHOOT PROFESSIONALS
Photography: Rustic White | Venue: Ambient+ Studio | Bridal Boutique: The Sentimentalist | Featured Gown: Paloma by Elizabeth Dye | Planner: Ashley Baber Weddings | Videography: Hampton Road Studios | Hair, Makeup: Scoobie West & Company | Hair Accessories: Twigs & Honey | Floral, Decor: Kristine Finke for Bold American Events | Cake: Lush Cakery | Catering: Soiree Catering & Events | Invitation Suite, Paper Goods, Handlettered Aisle Runner: Kelly Lee | Modeling Agency: K. Starr Management | Model: Karen Arboleda
