Recipe(tried): inexpensive wedding reception ideas

Spinach Balls are a nice inexpensive easy do a head that always get raves. I've posted them here before a quick search will turn them up. They have no meat but taste as if they have sausage.

A few tips .... use tiered trays to serve items -- less table space used and add interest to table.

In the kitchen or nearby room have a set of trays at the ready to slip out to the table, do filling away from food table. You can buy CHEAP throw a way trays at your local food service supply house like we have GFS in Michigan, Ca has smart and final these are warehouses that offer similar to Costco and Sams club but you do not need to be a member -- and they have serving things like aluminum trays --BUY THE LIDS TOO -- that makes it easier to pack in the fridge -- think about that. Ask an Aunt to keep reception table pretty and full-- don't YOU expect to do it. It will be an honor to them -- DON'T you do it nor a member of the wedding party. Ask a friend's mom to help over a friend unless you are in the mature age category.

How bout a little hot pot like a fondue of chocolate next to fresh fruit? If it goes fast then you will still have wonderful fresh fruit but the class and bang of having it on the table in the beginning won't be missed.

I REALLY like the cookie idea!

Coffee tea and WATER -- don't forget the WATER for outdoors ... as simple as those cute little bottles in a bowl of ice, those warehouse places offer a variety of punch bases in 1/2 gallon jugs add a bit of ginger ale or sprite to make it fuzzy for a pretty float some fruit filled (peaches?)ice rings or cubes in it. Don't bother with fancy punch -- make it SIMPLE how 'bout ice tea rather then hot tea and punch? Add a bit of mint to it??

Color -- think of the colors going on to the table -- make sure your food is not all the same color -- presentation is one of the keys to simplicity. It can help make simple look elegant.

Bacon is expensive but you might want to consider bacon bows if you do egg dishes -- easy to do ... I found them here once and do them at Easter all the time -- sugared bacon -- you take strips of bacon and tie them in loose knot, press them in brown sugar and put them on a baking tray then under the broiler till cooked. They can sit on a serving table for a while and taste fine cold or hot.

When I got married only 20 plus years ago it was the FANCY wedding tat had real food, most still were doing the tea sandwiches and cake.

several individual cakes can make a nice cake table -- again placed at differing levels -- use those 3 dollar glass blocks from home improvement stores as risers -- they look VERY nice -- or wrap some boxes in wedding paper and use those as risers on the table. Or 2 cloth table clothes one under (just over table) and one loosely draped over several boxes that will be used as risers -- more planning required for that.

I'll keep thinking :-)
enjoy this time and don't overwhelm yourself.

Oh one other thing -- ask 1 person to oversee the reception food and another the cake and another the punch and make it clear who is to be in charge of what Then your other helpers can report to someone other then YOU :) Let them know they have helpers too!

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