Monday, March 25, 2013

Wedding Math and the Recipe for a Good Party.


There's a Party in My Tummy! So yummy! So yummy!

Mini burgers
Mini root beer floats


Hello Paisley’s!

Happy Spring!  After hibernating for the winter, later sunsets and birds singing are getting me all excited for wedding season.  Sorry about the children's TV show title, being cooped up with a two year old all winter can make you a little stir crazy. Although the cold weather suggests otherwise, I’m already in my happy place  though of garden weddings, lantern lit tents, and ballrooms dripping with flower garlands while smiling photos are taken outside on warm, bright sunny day. 

Is anyone with me on this?  No?  Too much? I know I’m not the only one that thinks of these things as many of you happy brides are preparing your Pinterest boards with these very same images.  So many things make me giddy about the wedding planning process: dresses, stationery, flowers, décor, diy and the list goes on.  But what better to get you in the mood than food?!

Let’s be honest, food can often be the make it or break it moment of a wedding.  All the details could be amazing, the party can last into the wee hours, and yet, the one thing we always remember and discuss after words is the food. Here's a tough wedding math formula to remember:

Good food + good friends & family = good times!  

So how do you make good food better? One word. MINI.  Anything miniature is already cuter.  As cliche as they are who doesn't love some pigs-in-a-blanket?  Ready for a great recipe:

Combine one good caterer with large helping of classic dishes divide the recipe into bite size morsels and you have the ultimate one-two punch.  Cute and delicious!  

Elizabeth Anne Designs did a great job rounding up some of the cutest and tastiest looking itsy-bitsy’s I’ve seen in a while and a few others needed honorable mention.  Tell me some of the boys and our guests wouldn't love some of these pint sized pints or tiny shooters to start the festivities?  And who doesn't love a classic made to look classy?

Breakfast Madame? 

Have you decided to go with a casual breakfast or brunch wedding or shower?  These types of get together’s are easy on the budget, can maximize your time spent with guests and allow for some tasty treats that are sure to be winners.  Brunch time brides are at advantage of being able to maximize the flavors for their guest.  

Sweet and Savory Pancakes.  Yum!
              
Mini breakfast, complete with french toast sticks, eggs, and doughnuts.
                             

Ham and Brie pies on a stick.


Dinner Madame?

Going for more of a cocktail hour and passed hors d'eouvre feel?  Don't worry.  A good caterer can take all of your favorites and create some comfort classic into mini culinary delights.  These ideas come right with the beverage too!  Talk about an open bar!  

Yes, you are seeing correctly.  Those are mini chicken in waffle cups served with classic mini rum and cokes.
 

mini tacos and tequila shooters
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
 Love the combo snack and drink plates!  These can be great ways to combine your favorite flavors for fusion events too.  What about Asian style tacos and sake?  The possibilities are endless.  Here are a few more of my favorite minis. (minus the drinks)
 
tiny pizza, awwww!
fries never look this elegant at McDonald's


Ceasar salad bites
Burgers, fries and pizza never looked so good!
Spaghetti and meatballs

All of the above photos
Your dress won't get dirty with these perfect sized
portions!
Anyone for Dessert?

Even though after gorging on yummy tidbits like these you may not have room for dessert, we always indulge and appreciate sweet eye candy if nothing else.  Mini pies, cupcakes and cake pops are the all the rage, but how about some of these tiny treats to make you loosen your belt buckle and be happy you wore Spanx.  






Now I'm hungry.  Hope you got some good ideas, I'm going to see how I can miniaturize some chicken parm.  And in case you didn't know already, Paisley is now on Pinterest if you want to pin any of these yummies and all kinds of pretties too.  

TTFN
Rachel