Planning Your Wedding Menu

Tailor the menu to your style.

For example, if you want to create a more social or casual atmosphere, tailor the menu so that it limits the length time that guests are seated. Tray pass hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, call guests to dinner briefly for plated salad and entrees and then treat guests to a fantastic dessert and barista station and tray pass late night bites.  This style of menu encourages guests to be up and mingling before and after dinner.  Having guests seated for just two courses, salad and entrees, leaves plenty of time after dinner for dancing and interaction.

You can create a more formal, opulent dining atmosphere by presenting an enhanced plated menu with a sorbet intermezzo and butlered dessert and coffee service that allows guests to luxuriate at the table during their meal.

photo credit: Jill DeVries Photography

Be Adventurous.

And be adventurous . . . in particular with hors d’oeuvres, salads, desserts and cocktails.  Although you may choose a more traditional main entrée, it is always a delight to enhance the menu with more original, whimsical or bold accoutrements.

Think seasonal and local.

Although there are classics that are always in style and please your guests’ palettes, embrace the season of your wedding and perhaps feature things unique to where your are.

For example, here at the Conservatory, we love to give a nod to Michigan based products.  Our clients love our "Pure Michigan" Dessert Station featuring Sanders Hot Fudge Cream Puffs and Vernors Floats and our Coney Island Late Night Snacks.  Both give guests a taste of Michigan which is especially fun for guest traveling in from out of state.

photo credit: Kelly Sweet Photography

For seasonal fare, consider using what is seasonally available for your wedding.  For example, for a spring wedding offer tender, fresh asparagus along side your entree and incorporate fresh berries in your dessert.  Pumpkin and squash come to mind for an autumn wedding.

Indulge your guests . . . and yourself.

A wedding is a gathering of the most important people in your lives brought together to celebrate you.  This is a moment to be lavish.  Your guests will notice and appreciate those added touches such as butlered specialty wine or made-to-order tuffles that make the dining experience exceptional.

photo credit: Abbey Moore