R&R's Wedding Planning: February 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

We are still deciding between a cocktail reception and sit down dinner. Either way we like comfort foods. If we opt for the cocktail reception we would like smaller/lighter versions of comfort foods. Below are some examples of things that we like (many are already on the Marriott's menu). We are definitely open to any suggestions from the chef!

If we have a cocktail reception:

We would like a stationary display(s) (self serve) for the cocktail hour and the butler passed hors d'oeuvres and/or short plates to begin during the beginning of the reception along with 1-2 dinner/carving stations in the reception. We are also considering having the cocktail hour in the beginning, the ceremony and then the cocktail reception.

If we have a seated dinner:
We will follow the format in the menu packet and just give our menu suggestions. We might consider having the cocktail hour with passed hors d'eouvres first, the ceremony and then the reception with seated dinner.

Welcome Beverages as Guests arrive at the ceremony: Iced Tea and Lemonade
Hors D'eovres that we like:
Coconut shrimp skewer/Coconut shrimp with Roasted Pineapple Dipping Sauce

Lollipop lamb chop rosemary demi glace
Mini crab cake
Roasted tomato soup in a saki cup
Catfish (maybe catfish fingers?)
Pork tenderloin with apple sauce (also open to having this for a dinner station or seated dinner plate).
Fried macaroni and cheese bites
Lamb Skewers.. rosemary-mustard pesto
Mini Cheesesteaks
Pot Roast in Mini Phyllo Cups Topped with Roasted Vegetable Slaw

Blackened Swordfish on Tostadita with Mango Salsa
Apple Butter Poached Pork on Toast Rounds (the rounds can be cornbread instead)

Stations that we liked:
Pasta Station with cheese ravioli, something with pesto in it and alfredo
Jumbo Lump Crabcake Station (if we had this station, we would not want the mini crabcake as the appetizer. Can this station replace the pasta station in equal value?)
Stationary Hors D'oeuvres
•Grilled Bread with Olive and Sundried Tomato Tapenades
•Bruschetta Style Fresh Mozzarella Plum
•Tomato and Basil to add to above
•Vegetable Crudite with Red Roasted Pepper and Pesto dips

Grilling Station

•Shrimp and Scallop Skewers
•Marinated London Broil with Sauce Raifort and Chimichurri Sauce
•Grilled Red Bliss Potatoes with Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and Fresh Herbs

Entree Options:

We are okay with the entrees below, however would like different sides

Free Range Chicken (We woould be interested in different seasoning: example: carmelized ginger, we are open to the chef's suggestions). (another idea:Roasted Chicken Breast
w Thyme Infused Pan Gravy, Smashed Potatoes, Sauteed Green Beans w Walnuts)

Braised Boneless Short Rib

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

Petite Filet and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

Spice Rubbed Roasted Pork Loin or Pork Tenderloin
w Pineapple-Avocado Relish, Beans and Rice, Vegetable Slaw (Zucchini, Carrot, Cabbage, Broccoli, Red Onion, and Yellow Peppers)

Side suggestions and other things that we like:

Honey Applesauce
Mango Salsa
Pineapple, cranberry flavors
Garlic
Comfort food
Caribbean Flavors
Tortellini with Pesto Cream Sauce
-sorbet palette cleanser

We want our wedding cake to be our only desert but we are interested in having coffee and tea.

For a seated dinner my soror Tawanna suggested the following:

Comfort food... especially in an "enchanted forest"... makes for some great creativity:

I would suggest the following for a Fall/Winter Menu:
Appetizers:
Fried Macaroni and Cheese Bites... roasted grape tomato
Lamb Skewers.. rosemary-mustard pesto
Turkey Sage Sausage in Puff Pastry... cranberry-orange relish

Entrees:
(Airline) Roasted Chicken Breast
w Thyme Infused Pan Gravy, Smashed Potatoes, Sauteed Green Beans w Walnuts

Spice Rubbed Roasted Pork Loin or Pork Tenderloin
w Pineapple-Avocado Relish, Beans and Rice, Vegetable Slaw (Zucchini, Carrot, Cabbage, Broccoli, Red Onion, and Yellow Peppers)
or w Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Swiss Chard or Kale

Stout Braised Beef or Seared Beef Tenderloin
w Potato Au Gratin; Sauteed Spinach; and Carrot Confit

Soup/Salad
Tomato Basil Soup -or-
Spinach Salad/Tender Greens
Cuban Black Bean Soup with Sour Cream and Chives

Love Potion Favors

We will be giving out a "love potion" as a favor. Some type of yummy alcoholic drink in a corked potion type of bottle with a "drink me" tag on it.. i want to paint the bottle saying "love potion". still in the air about where our initials and wedding date will go but i think it will be cute for the guests.

Found these on save-on-crafts.com for only 45 cents a piece. I ordered 6 of them to do a trial run with

I like the label on this

I like this label idea too and already have the scissors & like the idea of putting a marachino cherry in there

I love the writing on here, maybe i can scratch the letters on?

mysterious! but will people want to drink it?

another cute option but these were more expensive, like 1.99 for one and its 8.5 ounces..that's too many ounces for just a potion. the one at the top is 6.25 ounces.

This may be nice tied around the neck of the bottle. i bought some for the trial run.

cute presentation, i like the jewel at the top. maybe i can dress the cork up

Or something simple like this!

Looking Forward to the Fun Stuff!

Looking forward to these things:

Shopping with bridesmaids for their dresses (Spring)
My gown fittings (late spring, mid summer)
Picking out the love potion flavors! (summer)
Assembling the love potion favors! (summer)
Shoe shopping (spring/summer)
Engagement shoot (March)
Cake Tasting (Spring)
Food Tasting (Spring)
Bachellorette Party (summer)
Bridal Shower (maybe) (summer)
My dad being there at the wedding
Being married finally!

There's probably more to be excited about but this is what comes to mind right now!

Monday, February 14, 2011

cute idea to get guests involved

cute, but may be redundant in our case since we are having the photo guest book at the wedding!

From the response cards of a couple on wedding bee: the bottom of the response card read, “Please use the reverse side of this card to provide marriage advice, whimsical doodles, flattering caricatures and/or well wishes!” The back of the card was blank. We have now received about a third of our RSVPs, and the entertainment only continues!