Sunday, August 22, 2010

Food, Family and Fun

Laughter and love: two of the most important things to have at a wedding. Well, you already have love. But a way to bring it out more and to induce laughter is to guarantee that your guests will have a good time. Sure, décor and dancing play an important role in this, but so does the dinner. And it is not just the cuisine that matters, but it is also about the entire experience.

Family style dining creates a casual, comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy for your guests to sit back and relax. And the more relaxed they are, the more your guests will enjoy themselves. Family style dining forgoes the stuffiness of a plated meal and the long lines of a buffet. It also allows your guest to enjoy sharing with each other and getting to know each other. Think of all the talking that has to be done just to pass the potatoes!

Serving food this way is reminiscent of family holidays and get together- where everyone is laughing, smiling and enjoying being with each other. With all that good spirit in the air, your wedding will be fun for everyone!

Family style dining works best with comfort food- veggies, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf or any of your mom’s favorites! When you have to pass the food, it’s best to have a table layout that is conducive to this. Rounds will work, but so will long galley tables. Or, if your wedding is outdoors, why not have tables with benches, so everyone has to get really close together to eat!

Although this type of reception fare is becoming more popular, it’s not super traditional as far as weddings go. If you are receiving any doubts from friends or family members, remind them of the cultures around the world that consistently dine family style at weddings. If you take note, you’ll notice the correlation of family style dining with an emphasis on family values. The Italians, Irish and Chinese cultures all place emphasis on the family unit and this reflects in their dining- at home and at special events such as weddings. If you want to go with a more regional menu, use these three as a guideline to create the perfect dining experience. Sheppard’s pie, spaghetti and meatballs or any Chinese dish would be a big hit at your reception- both in flavor and in fun!


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