Weddingbee Blog

Yesterday, Mr. Magnolia and I took the opportunity to head over to our reception venue for a menu tasting. At a previous meeting, I went over some of our options with the event manager, and I think we made some pretty good decisions about what we wanted to try. In fact, we ended up selecting just about everything that we tasted yesterday! Who says we’re not decisive Magnolias?

So here’s the preliminary menu…we didn’t necessarily intend to have a Southern food theme, but it did work out that way. Mr. Magnolia and I both love good, homestyle comfort food, so it makes sense that those are the dishes that we would gravitate toward. The reception is buffet-style, primarily because our guests won’t be arriving until 8:15 or 8:30, and who wants to sit down for a full meal at or after 9:00 p.m.?

********************************

Passed Appetizers:

- California Sushi Rolls
- Southern Spring Rolls (Cajun-style, with blackened chicken and pepper jack cheese)
- Hot Butternut Squash Soup

…a few sips of soup served in demitasse cups. Mr. Magnolia was very on the fence about this dish when we showed up for the tasting, but as soon as he tried it, he was completely on board! I’m convinced that this will be a huge hit, particularly since it will be cold outside!

********************************

Action Stations:

- Carving Station featuring a Roasted Entrecote of Beef
- Small Plate Station featuring Crab Cake on a Bed of Hoppin’ John

I LOVE this dish. Rather than ride the tidal wave of popularity that is the mashed potato/shrimp and grits/mac and cheese martini station, we opted for something a little different. Basically, a chef will be preparing small plates of the club’s signature crab cake (which is to die for) served on top of hoppin’ john, which just happens to be one of my favorite foods. You know those rainy winter weekends when you just want to stay home, make comfort food, and watch movies all day long? Just me? Well, on those days I always make hoppin’ john.

**********************************

Cold Displays:

- Assorted Breads and Dips
- Antipasti Display
- Oyster Shooters/Mexican Cocktails

I wasn’t sure that the oyster shooters and Mexican shrimp cocktails were going to fit into our budget, but they did! The presentation is fantastic – a large tray of ice, with tall thin shot glasses featuring (1) a raw oyster with cocktail sauce and a slice of lemon, or (2) a large shrimp and pico de gallo. Yum!

**********************************

Hot Displays:

- Baked Fruited Brie en Croute
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Pulled Pork on Silver Dollar Rolls

I like barbecue just fine, but I never imagined that we might serve pulled pork barbecue at our wedding reception. The event manager convinced me to at least try it yesterday, and I’m so glad she did! It was fantastic, and the silver dollar size is just so cute – like a slider!

*********************************

So that’s the Magnolia Menu — Southern comfort food with style!

How did you choose your menu? Did you select foods that you and your fiancé particularly enjoy, or dishes that are generally crowd pleasers? Do you have a running theme for the food, or is it all over the map?