Stubborn Groom?

We've all dealt with them, stubborn MEN! Grooms are no exception. So if your groom is acting a little bit stubborn, I have the perfect food to serve at your wedding:

Photo courtesy of TL Catering

 

Just have your caterer change your entrees to pork--this one sort of looks like my husband (just kidding Bill... but... watch your step or Thanksgiving may NOT feature turkey this year.)  Sometimes a little bit of levity is a good thing as you are planning a wedding, so I offer you 'pig on plate' or 'the stubborn groom picnic entree.' OK guys, get with it, sort of looks like a few of you out there!

 

All kidding aside, a pig roast is a great relaxing way to have a wedding. Caterers can recommend someone who specializes in roasting a whole pig for you, as well as serving it attractively. Great for a backyard wedding or an alfresco affair. Pig roasts are not inexpensive, but definitely less than filet! And the photo alone would make it well worth it!

Blinded By Love?

Photo and idea courtesy of: Tip Junkie Party from Style Me Pretty

Beach weddings or picnic weddings often hand out fans to help keep their guests cool, but we love the idea of handing out these inexpensive sun glasses to guests.  The sign that goes with the favor table reads "Don't Get Blinded By Our Love"--perfect with the inexpensive sunglasses!

Photo from Style Me Pretty

Add to the sunglasses a jar of sparklers for when the bride and groom leave! Signage says: "Let Your Love Shine." Perfect, inexpensive, but what style!

Your Secret Garden Wedding

Looking for a way to design your own secret garden for your wedding reception? Take a look at this photo from The Girl Who Keeps Dreaming.  While I could do without the tablecloth look, Adding the 'bustles' to the chairs, especially for the head table is gorgeous.  Adapt the ideas to fit your colors and area.  While the seat covers might be pricey, the flowers in this photo aren't so it's a trade off.  I can see a lot of ways to work with this idea if you're having an outdoor garden wedding or formal picnic wedding.

Planning A Picnic Wedding?

Picnic receptions can be incredible and much more memorable than standard hotel catering.  Not only is it more casual and comfortable but it's easy (and less expensive) to prepare gourmet picnic food or just good old down home cooking.  Some brides and grooms opt for a pig roast with an option of gourmet hamburgers or provide the fixing for cuban sandwichs with the roast.  You can also pack individual meals (think adult Happy Meal with everything provided in the box from napkins and cutlery to food). You can find fun boxes at restaurant supply houses, paper supply or party stores, or you can even make your own. You will also need small portion cups w/lids. Each guests meal box could include a sandwich (you could have a variety of different sandwiches*, and have lovely tags on the boxes that tell what type is in each box), roasted potato salad (use mixed colors of baby potatoes, with an interesting sauce - a rosemary and horseradish sauce is wonderful), fresh berries or mixed fruit, and corn-off-the-cobb salad. A dessert bar with homemade-looking pies, cookies and cakes would be lovely, too.

* Sandwich suggestions: Curried chicken and cashew salad, veggie and cream cheese, fancy egg salad, and peanut butter/jam/banana for kids.

Another idea is to use white linens on the picnic tables (mixed vintage cloths would be beautiful!), white blankets on the grass (Ikea has white and off-white blankets for under $5 each), sitting-pillows strewn on the blankets, table bouquets of sunflowers or mixed wild flowers (lining the tables with ivy or sweet pea vines would be fun, too), vintage picnic baskets (you can pick these up at flea markets or garage sales, or,borrow them from friends), and white and silver balloons.  Be sure to have enough chair/benchs to seat your older guests who may not want to sit on the ground! 

When I think picnic for drinks I think of mint juleps (mint leaves, bourbon, sugar, water, ice), gourmet iced tea, fresh strawberry lemonade, random bottles of wine (in the vintage picnic baskets?), sangria, and possibly iced coffee.