Pizza Reception at the Wedding.

[jmarie]

Now, for the wine and beer, of course, we will use glass. But for the pizza and salad, do we need to rent glass plates for the salad and pizza? Or would it be OK to purchase nice plastic plates? It's under a tent, if that matters.

Also, do we need them to roast vegetables for an appetizer? Or will pizza and salad be enough? Just looking for opinions, here?

[Triathlon13]

I can tell you that my best friend had paper plates with wedding design around the plate (do you have a paper mill within an hours drive - that is where she got hers for cheap). And those were just fine!!!

As for apps - why not instead of roasting veggies you make up a bunch of fresh veggie trays with dip and maybe fruit salad??? Or veggies & dip and cheese & crackers?

I would probably have something for them to munch on when they get there - I"m always starving when I get to a wedding reception and I know it really takes the edge off to have small things to snack on - but that is just my opinion - you all know what you have for a budget, so that might not be in it - but if you do, do something - make it easy!!!! (and baby carrots in a bad are EASY!!!!).

Another idea is if you belong to a church with a parish hall -they might have plates you can borrow/rent for really cheap??? Just another idea that might cost less.

M

[Shugness]

I'm no expert, but I don't see why you couldn't. If it's any help, my coworker is also planning her daughters reception for her wedding this summer, which will be outdoors, and she recently purchased the plates and utensils online. They were a nicer plastic, with the utensils being silver in color.

[katygirl]

I think a nicer plastic would be fine, it's YOUR wedding (well, your daughters, but you know what I mean) there IS no right or wrong. But I would definitely have some apps, if people are going to be drinking they needs some eats :-)

[LakeMartinGal]

We'll be having plastic/paper plates at the reception... Just make sure they're big enough to hold a slice of pizza!:)

[Laurielee]

I say go for plastic, check out this site
http://www.fantasticplasticplates.com/

and I agree with Triathon about her suggestion for appetizers.

[jmarie]

Thank you guys, again! I felt that it should be.... I felt that glass would seem so extravagant ;) ... Seriously, we are just regular people who aren't accustomed to country club settings... And plastic would be SO much easier.

I will tell DD to rethink the roasted veggies. It would be very easy to throw together several veggie and cheese trays.

We actually were thinking if we did the plastic, we'd go with the silver!

Thank you so much!

[Beth]

Plastic or nice paper is fine in my book. It is pizza.

If you don't want to do the roasted veggies, maybe they could have bowls of salad on each table when guests arrive. You or they could add bread, breadsticks, olives, cheese, etc. if you wanted. Or not. Actually, the roasted veggies sound like they would have to be eaten sitting down or could get a bit messy. Once seated, I don't know that you would need them. Just walk through the event and see if you really need them.

[jmarie]

Beth, we are having salad on the table... It will already be mixed vinaigrette dressing . I did consider adding black olives and cherry tomatoes if they don't come with the salad.

So, we are on the same page, Beth, do you think, if there is a salad, that we wouldn't need the roasted veggies or the vegetable trays?

[Beth]

I was thinking a bowl or small tray of olives and/or cheese that folks could pick up with their fingers or picks while waiting to be seated or for the main course if they are bashful about serving themselves salad before others arrive or are seated. I'm not sure how this will all be set up -- sit down and table service, buffet, will people be going through a reception line coming in, sitting and standing while waiting for the bridal party to arrive?

I think it is a nice idea to have something folks can nibble on anytime they are waiting. Roasted veggie are usually kind of soft and not the kind of thing I'd imagine nibbling on. Adding to a salad or pizza, having atop a slice of bread or cheese, but not finger/pick kind of food. I may just not be picturing how they plan to serve, etc. but as I'm picturing them, I would be asking the pizza folks more questions before agreeing to them.

[jmarie]

To Beth, and all of you for that matter....I really appreciate all of this input because I had not thought of the reception line. We are winging it..... REALLY winging it. Our wedding planner has just inherited a huge problem in her personal life, and is unavailable right now, but will be more available in April, so though we are putting the cart before the horse in a lot of instances, it is something we won't have to decide later. All of the pieces will fall into place. (I hope).

Thanks, really, for ALL of your help and advice.
J

[PAMMELA]

How about large bowls of mixed nuts? That's easy and munchable and you can buy huge cans at a warehouse store. Just put those on each table.

[JSadler]

How about large bowls of mixed nuts? That's easy and munchable and you can buy huge cans at a warehouse store. Just put those on each table.

Mixed nuts or even pretzels on the table would be good enough for an appetizer. I love the idea of pizza and salad for the wedding reception. Very unique.

[heavy hedonist]

When my niece got married last year, in her own backyard, they had it catered by a famous local BBQ place, and for apps, they just put out the usual party stuff-- chips, dips, veggie plate.

There was beer, wine, pop, and juice packs for the kids-- and it was great.

[Beth]

Somehow pretzels seem fun with pizza -- maybe a dipping bowl of mustard. I was thinking of something you might have someone put out that doesn't have to be done with caterer effort and price tags.

We didn't use a wedding planner. The church had their weeding coordinator who booked everything and helped set up a music meeting. My mom and I checked out some reception sites, shopped for my dress and had hers and the attendants made, ordered flowers and met with the cake lady -- and we had the wedding we wanted at a price we were comfortable with -- not that hard and not stressful. You can do it.

[LakeMartinGal]

How about large bowls of mixed nuts? That's easy and munchable and you can buy huge cans at a warehouse store. Just put those on each table.And Goldfish!

[Triathlon13]

Oh what great ideas - love the ideas of bowls of nuts, pretzels, goldfish, etc.... How fun and perfect with pizza and a fun wedding!!!! I take back my original ideas - those are more fun-haha.:p

M

[Anne]

I think something along the lines of Greek salad bites would be fun, along with more familiar cheese and crackers. Or vegetables slices topped with tuna salad or hummus.

[Beth]

Those are good ideas too. I was just trying to think of something easy, casual and not requiring more catering expense -- those may not be the most important priorities. Regardless, I think all of these are better ideas for a casual wedding setting than roasted veggies. And I like roasted veggies. I especially like the hummus idea.

[jmarie]

Thanks for the WAYYYYY more inexpensive snack ideas!!!
I'll show them to DD and let her choose. Ummmm....love hummus. Do any of you have a good recipe? I always purchased Tribes 40 spice, but it is no longer available in our area...:(

[LakeMartinGal]

I don't have a recipe, but spinach and artichoke hummus is excellent, as is the red pepper. I think they're 4 tribes, but I'm not sure.:)

[ADM]

There are many-many Hummus recipes posted on this board and all are much cheaper than buying it already prepared. :)