We all know planning a wedding can take months and even years. As a bride, you must choose:  the perfect dress, bridesmaids, maid of honor, colors, decorations, cake, wedding food and the list can go on and on. At the end of the day, what are your guests going to remember most about your wedding? A recent poll shows that guests actually enjoy the reception more than the wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony is all about the bride and groom and the reception is all about your guests! With that said if you want to make sure your guests talk about your wedding reception for years to come, consider using some of these wedding food trends.

We all love and live for food these days. In fact, I’m getting hungry just talking about it! It’s your wedding day and your guests are looking forward to one thing, food! Let’s face it; as soon as they enter the reception hall, the only thing they are thinking about is filling their empty bellies. Take your pick of beef, fish or chicken.  Does that sound exciting? Unfortunately, almost every wedding seems to have the same plate, which consists of a protein paired with some form of potatoes and vegetables. I can’t tell you how many times I went to In-N-Out for a cheeseburger after a wedding because I was not satisfied. I understand food is expensive and clearly not everyone can afford a royal wedding reception; however, make your guests happy by adding some twists in traditional wedding food.

Creating the perfect unique wedding reception following the wedding ceremony can be tough. Today, we will help you come up with unique ideas for tastier food your guests will enjoy.  First, what better way to serve appetizers than with a fondue station? With this option, your guests can dip bread and vegetables in different types of cheese sauces. For those who do not like cheese, consider having a sushi station. If you don’t like sushi than create a french fry bar with an abundance of different dipping sauces! For the main course, give your guests a different experience by giving each table a chopping board with already carved meat such as steak, chicken, lamb or pork.

Not only that allow your guests to choose their wedding food sides by placing a variety of side options in bowls around the table such as, macaroni and cheese, shrimp cocktail, salad, garlic bread, or pizza bites.  In addition to feeding your guests, the food bowls are actually a conversation starter. Last but not least, dessert! Instead of having one big cake, have individual cakes as your centerpiece on every guest table, each a different flavor. This way your guests can mingle and munch! If you’re like me and hate cake, then kill the cake and opt for cupcakes or an ice cream bar for your wedding food dessert! I know you want to play it safe by having chicken, beef or fish, but make your entrees a little more interesting and it will be a little more special!

Everyone can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle and say “I do,” but the fun doesn’t have to stop there.  Wedding reception activities are actually what most guests look forward to. It’s a special day for both the bride and the groom and what better way to celebrate it than with your family and friends.  It’s a time where everyone gets to meet each other, hit the dance floor, and even take advantage of the open bar. However, we’ve all been to that wedding reception where we were not familiar with most of the people there, only leaving you awkward and bored.  The bride and groom can break this initial uneasiness by coming up with the perfect wedding reception activities to entertain their guests.  It no longer has to be the standard routine of first dance, speeches, cake, and bouquet toss.  Couples are getting more and more creative with the activities, events, and shows they include in their celebration.

Your guests are waiting for you and your new husband to arrive at the reception so you can all celebrate together.  Instead of just greeting them with appetizers and drinks give them something else to do.  Keep your guests entertained and awake by playing a game like wedding couple trivia. Before the meal is served or even in between music sets have questions about you and your new spouse written down on cards. For example, ask questions such as, where did the bride and groom meet and where was their first kiss? Have the DJ or your parents ask the first question in the microphone and call on a table to answer. Once someone has answered correctly they step up to the microphone to ask the next question and so on.  It gets people involved and mingling.   If you want to make these wedding reception activities a little more competitive have the table that answers the question correctly win a prize!

Reception games are a great way for your guests to get to know each other better within their tables. A great way to do this is by playing an old fashioned game of musical chairs by having the DJ or band play a song and then stop suddenly. Guests who don’t quickly find a seat around their table are out. Eventually, one person will be left at each table and the winner gets a prize. If these activities seem too active and complicated for you and your guests then simply have a raffle. Just give a card with a number on it to every guest and have a drawing.  The prizes you give away don’t have to be expensive gifts because everyone loves winning something. Your guests will remain entertained if you choose to include wedding reception activities on your wedding day and will make your day more memorable.

Now this is something I feel is missing from wedding receptions and is such an easy fix.  Not only will having activities give the kids something to do but it will give the parents a chance to relax.  Even hire a few babysitters for the reception with a room filled with kid activities, games, coloring, or even a movie.  It will be well worth the money, keep the kids entertained and give your guests a break from the kids ;-)  You could even go all out and get a bouncy house!  Your reception is supposed to be beautiful experience but you also want to make sure everyone has a good time.