A friend of mine has invited me to his wedding at a very expensive, elegant London venue. The sit-down luncheon includes such delicacies as wild mushroom risotto, grilled asparagus salad and raspberry torte. All delicate fare, but later on, when fatigued by dancing and drinking, the evening buffet will consist of chips, bacon rolls and wedding cake!

 

Wedding food is a very important part of the day and much savoured by the guests. It punctuates a long day, gathers people together, and is always remembered afterwards. The height of luxury is a formal three-course lunch after the ceremony and before/during the speeches, accompanied by sparkling champagne - depending on your budget! Smaller, less formal weddings will probably suit a buffet lunch better - or you could choose a partial buffet, where the guests are served their starter and dessert but help themselves to their main course.

 

                                                                                           

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After tradition comes quirkiness. The refreshments for the evening party can be much more to your own taste. Bacon and eggs? Fine. Fish and chips? Great. Spag bol? Bellissimo. All much more fun than quiche, sandwiches and vol au vents.If your guests have already feasted on a heavy lunch, don't overdo the evening snacks, and vice versa. And don't forget to cater for vegetarian guests, those with dietary needs and, of course, the kids. Finger food and colouring books are both wise choices for the little people.

 

Finally, gear your food to the season. Hot soup or spicy curry is better suited to a winter day than a summer wedding; likewise, salad and ice-cream is best kept for a warm day, not a chilly one. Christmas wedding? Serve mulled wine. Midsummer? Get out the Pimms. A little imagination makes special memories.

 

                                                                               

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For more hints and tips that will help take some of the stress out of organising your big day, check out our wedding information pages. They're an indispensable source of wedding planning tips and style advice for any bride to be and we are adding to them all the time so make sure you visit us again.

 

And don't forget to browse Henry Kaye's complete range of of stunning wedding shoes (for brides, bridesmaids and pageboys alike), stylish pageboy outfits, gorgeous bridesmaid dresses, and exquisite wedding bags and beautiful wedding accessories.