A friend of mine's daughter is getting married next month. She's having the affair catered, but it got me to thinking. If y'all had to design a reception for a summer bride, what would the meal look like?

Let's assume an afternoon garden wedding & reception.

Servers? Casual buffet? Formal? Informal?

Morning breakfast reception - Fruit platters, waffles, omelets, bagels, lox, cheeses and pastries.

Brunch reception - Add some carved meats to the above menu.

Afternoon Tea reception - Finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, candies and the cake.

Cocktail Reception - Some finger foods.

Lunch or Dinner Reception?
Shrimp cocktail on ice
Gazpacho
Chicken and fish with dipping sauces (grilled)
Mandarin orange and mesclun salad with raspberry vinaigrette
Small servings of various cheesecakes
Sorbet
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Lemonade
Iced tea bars
Cake

Or Redneck?
Barbecued road kill
Dandelion salad (with assorted “greens”)
Moonshine
And a cake made out of Ho Ho’s and Ding Dongs

Good thread, Brook!

My own fantasy summer wedding reception (okay- I've got the menu/cake planned, but call me a bride and I'll hafta open a can of whoop-azz on ya... HA!) would have to be an Alaskan barbecue/buffet theme & include my personal quirky favs and the tastiest animals ever!...

appetizer:
a plattered trio of mini cheeseballs pre-set on each table ( 1.> smoked salmon/dill, 2.> blue cheese/walnut, & 3.> sun-dried tomato/basil) grapes and Carrs Water-Crackers

assorted buffet salads:
platters of sliced, salted August beef-steak tomatos
tabouleh
spinach leaves w/ fresh blackberries, toasted hazelnuts & berry vinaigrette
chicken caeser
pineapple cole slaw

entrees from the grill:
peach-glazed salmon/walla-walla onion skewers
teriyaki chicken thighs
petite filet mignons w/ cabernet-butter and roquefort-butter
bbq spare ribs
king-crab legs

starch/veg. sides:
orange-glazed carrots w/ dill
asparagus spears w/ raspberry-butter
garlicky grilled zucchini & yella crook-necked squash
salt-crusted baby reds spuds
confetti rice in chicken stock
gnocci w/ olive oil, parsley & parmesan

breads:
sea-salt soft bread-sticks
cottage-cheese/dill rolls
pumpernickel rolls

wedding cake:
tiered applesauce layer-cake w/ maple/caramel frosting

Groom:
Dwayne <"The Rock"> Johnson (if he's available that weekend!)

Yeah! Thats the one.