When it comes to your first meal as husband and wife, meat and veg in its simplest form will no longer suffice. And quite rightly so: wedding breakfasts are not school dinners! Brides Up North, it’s time to go gourmet!
Food is a very important part of the wedding day. Done right, it’s a celebrational centrepiece and a real treat for your nearest and dearest. Think flavour, theatre and surprise to excite the senses and taste buds and get your guests talking. Practically speaking, keeping them fed keeps them happy too – whilst hugely enjoyable, weddings can be long affairs so feeding guests a good meal or at regular intervals throughout the day is advisable. This way guests should remain alert through the ceremony, welcome drinks and speeches and still have enough energy to burn up the dance floor in the evening.
For couples who are thinking creatively, shunning the traditional soup – followed by chicken – followed by brandy snap basket and mixing up the menu with some more personal food choices will either evoke warm childhood memories or provide a truly memorable meal for guests. Ask your chosen caterer or venue for their suggestions for an extraordinary wedding breakfast.
So what’s top of the menu for couples currently planning their weddings?
With images kindly supplied by our friends at Dine, award winning outside caterers, wedding specialists, venue and event managers, who will be more than happy to discuss your culinary requirements for your big day. Visit their website to see how they can make your event special.
Brilliant Bowl Food
Canapés just got cool. Try creative concoctions served off iPad trays or yummy combinations of flavours that combine in a portable portion for more informal celebrations.
Afternoon Tea
In true British fashion UK wedding couples are picking dainty finger sandwiches, scrummy scones and a wonderful array of cakes to serve their guests, whether as a stand alone meal or as part of a longer series of dining elements. This is a particular popular option for those having summer ceremonies, outdoor weddings or vintage themed celebrations. It can also add a fun, personal touch as couples can invite guests to bring their own sweet treat recipes to the table in a Great British Bake Off style. Interesting savoury options can be served along with the sandwiches while the sweets that follow can include anything from macaroons and cupcakes to fruit tartlets and mini meringues.
Nostalgic Nosh
Whether it be bangers and mash or steak and kidney pie, comfort foods and dishes that bring back fond childhood memories are whetting couples’ appetites. This laid-back dining option brings a warm and informal atmosphere to the dining table that will help your guests relax. With the wedding breakfast rule book thrown well and truly out of the window, pretty much anything goes – stew and dumplings, cottage pie, posh fish and chips – although there’ll always be a place for a really good roast in our hearts.
Banquet Barbecues
I’m pretty sure that after the Aussies it’s us Brits who love to fire up the barbie. Predominately an option for those tying the knot in spring and summer, a gourmet barbecue wedding breakfast offers so much more than chicken legs and hot dogs. Think locally sourced meat used to create marinated lamb and tiger prawn kebabs or unusual flavoured sausages and burgers such as caramelised onion, chilli, apple or sundried tomato and herbs. You could treat your guests to a succulent cut of steak or perhaps, for a lighter option, some delicious Rainbow trout, or walk on the wild side with Ostrich meat! On the side serve summery and imaginative salad, coleslaw and cous cous dishes.
Wedding Brunch
As it’s cheaper to get married in the morning, those getting hitched before lunch time can literally make their first meal as a married couple breakfast. A growing trend, which started in America, serving your guests breakfast is certainly one way to make your wedding meal memorable. But it’s not a case of laying out some Special K, toast and crumpets – instead think fun options such as pancakes, omelettes and waffles that allow guests to interact by picking their own toppings and fillings. Alternatively, for those wanting a posh brekkie, why not serve up scrambled eggs and smoked salmon or Eggs Benedict, accompanied by a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary.
And to drink?
Champagne will always be in fashion, but locally brewed beers, ales and ciders served straight from the keg are becoming increasingly popular and work particularly well for summer fete or festival style weddings. Cocktails remain popular, of course, but to shake things up a little couples are encouraged serve a signature cocktail created purely for their wedding, or hire a pop-up bar where professional mixologists entertain guests by rattling up drinks on request.
I’ll drink to that!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2014 supplied by Dine
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