The Minks Realize They Can’t Please Everyone

The Minks Realize They Can’t Please Everyone

January 26th, 2012 @ 9:38 am by Miss Mink
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Being locavores, we were attracted to our venue because of their farm-to-table philosophy. The catch was that we wouldn’t know much about our wedding menu until a few months before our wedding. We knew who had tastings very soon after booking their venues. We even have a friend whose caterer brought what was essentially a tasting to their very first meeting (it worked…they booked that caterer).

A local photographer who has an amazing way with shooting food (and is a food blogger on the side) recently tweeted about having a shoot at our venue and I knew it was time to book our tasting. As I flipped through nine pages of options, I knew we were going to have fun with the decisions ahead of us. We love food and we love the chefs at our venue. We knew everything we saw would be amazing, but certain items were sticking out more than others.

Pippin Hill’s “Pucker Up Punch” / From Andrea Hubbell’s blog / Photo by Andrea Hubbell Photography

Since I was a child, I have found beef unappealing. I joke that if you put the steak from the Ruth’s Chris ad that’s in every in-flight magazine next to a plate of grilled vegetables, I would pick the vegetables. Mr. Mink, an enthusiastic carnivore, thinks I’m crazy.

Thankfully, we can have two entrees at our wedding.

Pippin Hill’s Crispy “Old Salt” Oysters / From Andrea Hubbell’s blog / Photo by Andrea Hubbell Photography

I was immediately draw to the fish and seafood options on Pippin Hill’s spring menu and Mr. Mink was draw to the beef. I talked to a couple people about how we were leaning and most thought beef and fish would be solid options that would please a variety of palettes. A few times, though, we were told that not having a chicken option was a mistake. One person even told me that they would not eat at our wedding if they had to choose between beef and fish!

Pippin Hill’s Perfect Pear Cocktail / From Andrea Hubbell’s blog / Photo by Andrea Hubbell Photography

I started to think that I just had to deal with a meat filled menu. I reasoned that I could eat around the meat. I started to convince myself that the bride barely has time to eat at her wedding anyway.

Calls to the two Mama Minks set me straight. Both of our mothers thought beef and fish were appropriate options. They both thought beef and fish options would cover more people than beef and chicken options. That person who said they wouldn’t eat at our wedding might change their mind when they see the beautiful plates of food at Pippin Hill. If they don’t, we are at peace with the thought that we made choices that cover the widest variety of palettes.

Pippin Hill’s Maker Happy Cocktail / From Andrea Hubbell’s blog / Photo by Andrea Hubbell Photography

Did you have to make some choices that you thought might not please every single one of your guests?

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40 Responses to “The Minks Realize They Can’t Please Everyone”

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Member

farmergirl (message) 127 posts, Blushing bee

I went through the same thing only with the opposite result! We’re doing our menu similarly - working with what’s available locally that day (food’s the most important thing to us because we are so involved in its production).
Because of that we’re not doing beef, but rather chicken and fish because they are easier to get locally in larger quantities. When I told my dad that he was like “You can’t have a wedding without beef!” He’s since come around though, and we’re really happy with our choices. I’m excited to see what your whole menu looks like!

1/26/12 @ 9:45 am (reply)

Member

therascalqueen (message) 187 posts, Blushing bee

We’re going with beef and fish (plus vegetarian option) too. Chicken is the wedding/mass gathering default! I think most people would be happy to have other options.

1/26/12 @ 9:45 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Mink (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

@farmergirl: I’m so happy to meet another locavore! I’m fairly certain the chicken on our venue’s menu was local (Polyface Farm, which is prominent in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, is nearby). Mr. Mink was way more excited about some local, grass-fed beef.

1/26/12 @ 9:47 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Mink (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

@therascalqueen: That’s what I was thinking. Chicken didn’t feel very special (even free-range).

1/26/12 @ 9:48 am (reply)

Member

soyjoy222 (message) 3,388 posts, Sugar bee

I think beef and fish is the perfect choice. Or, more realistically, a meat and a fish, for those that don’t like one or the other.

We choose our menu on 3/3…I am nervous, since my mother has been telling me the different things that people do and do not like. I keep telling her, it’s one night…and our caterer is fantastic, so can’t people just come and enjoy something different for one.night!?

sigh. I do think you made a good choice, though. I’d appreciate the fish option!

1/26/12 @ 9:50 am (reply)

Member

soyjoy222 (message) 3,388 posts, Sugar bee

What I meant by the ‘meat and fish’ part was…I think it’s nice to have a meat and fish option rather than chicken and a 2nd meat choice. I was not very clear, haha.

1/26/12 @ 9:51 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Lox (message) 1,136 posts, Bumble bee

So, we totally had two entree options at our wedding.And they were… beef and fish. Everyone ate, no one complained, and all was well. Anyway, I think it’s a perfect choice.

1/26/12 @ 9:56 am (reply)

Member

Irish_in_Oxford (message) 68 posts, Worker bee

*sigh* Miss Mink, can I please have your wedding? Seriously, the food, the shoes, the lanterns, the pink shoe clips, the peonies… I can swap you a half-planned thingy in pretty village in Ireland? I can even throw Himself in, if it will seal the deal…(ah no, not really, I’m keeping him ).

Tell you what, final offer, when you’re done with your wedding, you can come plan mine….

1/26/12 @ 10:03 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Mink (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

@soyjoy222: Agreed. A few days ago, someone posted about her options on the boards and the opinions were all over the place. I realized that you do your best, you pick a menu that makes you excited, and you console yourself with the thought that anyone who doesn’t like your choices is an adult who can get themselves a snack when they get home.

I’ve eaten around meat plenty of times in my life and I’ve been just fine.

@Mrs. Lox: So happy to hear! I hope people can get excited over our choices…they’re good quality and they’ll be prepared beautifully.

1/26/12 @ 10:05 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Mink (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

@Irish_in_Oxford: The side of my family with Irish roots would gladly trade! I’ve never been to Ireland and I vow to visit the town where my grandmother was born at some point.

1/26/12 @ 10:08 am (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Aardvark (message) 807 posts, Busy bee

After a few of those beautiful cocktails, even your most crabby guests will be feeling so good they won’t care what they eat! I think it will be wonderful!

1/26/12 @ 10:14 am (reply)

12.

Bee

Miss Mink (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

@Miss Aardvark: Hee hee! I think you’re right! A great cocktail hour will hopefully smooth the way for a complaint-free reception.

1/26/12 @ 10:17 am (reply)

13.

Member

mkim (message) 499 posts, Helper bee

Beef and fish is perfect. We are also doing beef and fish but duel plated (I didn’t feel like tracting people down to get their entree choice)

1/26/12 @ 10:25 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Unicycle (message) 397 posts, Helper bee

I was wondering what the rule was for that too. I think our budget is only going to allow us to have one entree option, and it will be chicken, but there was a time when I considered doing just beef or just fish or a choice between the 2, and I was worried people wouldn’t eat either of them. I think giving them a choice at all should be enough! Maybe serving just fish would be a bad idea.

1/26/12 @ 10:26 am (reply)

15.

Member

Crabbabs (message) 860 posts, Busy bee

Love that term - localvore! Our caterer have the same philosophy.

We are doing a slightly nontraditional menu - lamb and chicken gyros (I even posted about it on the boards) and I was a little unsure about it at first, but I’ve realize that we have more than enough options for everyone, even if it is a little different.

I would love fish and would be happy with that as an option.

1/26/12 @ 10:26 am (reply)

16.

Member

mkim (message) 499 posts, Helper bee

I also wish I knew about your venue before I booked mine! But, I won’t trade Lindsay at my venue for anything…she has been awsome.

1/26/12 @ 10:27 am (reply)

17.

Member

KYbride86 (message) 155 posts, Blushing bee

I’m glad you all decided to do what’s right for you. What is with that complainy person? Unless they’re paying for it, I don’t think people should really get to voice opinions on the food. If they don’t like what you’re serving, they can eat after the wedding or just fill up on cake and sides. I think it’s so rude to just make a declaration like that — it turns the focus towards yourself instead of the couple. And it’s not like you’re being inconsiderate, like inviting 80 percent vegetarians and then serving only beef! Your guests are getting a nice meal that is well thought out. Get over it and be happy, people!

OK, rant over

1/26/12 @ 10:37 am (reply)

18.

Guest

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode

The food may be fab, but I’m swooning over those fab shots of those even more fab looking cocktails. If you happen to see another bride crashing your wedding. . . .
nah, just kidding.

You’re right - can’t please everyone. You’ve got to go with what you want! And frankly, isn’t it rude for a potential wedding guest to state such displeasure at your choice of menu items??

1/26/12 @ 10:38 am (reply)

19.

Guest

Letitia

“One person even told me that they would not eat at our wedding if they had to choose between beef and fish!”

How incredibly RUDE! Even if you were asking for their opinion with and begged for an honest answer…for someone to tell you they would not eat at your wedding is just…wow.

I’ve been to weddings that give you all four beef/chicken/fish/veggie options before hand, or just two options, and even no options while serving only chicken or serving beef & fish on the same plate. I am repulsed by seafood, but do you think I made a peep at that wedding? No way!! I just quietly asked Brian to take my fish and that was that.

It’s YOUR wedding. Serve whatever you want. When that person gets married, they can serve chicken nuggets from McD’s if they like.

1/26/12 @ 10:41 am (reply)

20.