OPEN BAR
H
ave fun planning your wedding
reception by thinking outside
the traditional sit-down dinner
and wedding cake. Serving food at
stations or “bar style” can be a fun
option for offering up (un)traditional
fare in a fresh way.
Whether you want to incorporate a
food bar just for appetizers or dessert,
or you are looking to forego a formal
dinner, these tasty and innovative
stations are one more way to show
your guests who you are as a couple.
Here are a few reception bars that
have nothing to do with cocktails:
Fondue Station
Cheese or chocolate? Both are
crowd-pleasers and both offer a
variety of tasty dipping accoutrement
that will delight guests. Fondue works
great during cocktail hour, or in
addition to or in lieu of wedding cake.
14 | Wedding Planner 2017
Antipasto
Think crostini station, the
intersection at which crusty breads
meets your choice of tomato
bruschettas, olive tapenades, spicy
salamis and all a variety of cheeses.
Candy Bar
No cake? No problem. Satisfy your
guests’ sweet tooths by showcasing
your favorite candies in clear glass
jars, like you’d see in a vintage
drugstore.
You can even offer small paper
bags or boxes so that guests can fi ll
them and take them home, doubling
your dessert as guest favors.
Popcorn Bar
What is a better late night snack
than popcorn? If you plan on dancing
the night away with your guests,
a popcorn bar could be a fantastic
addition to your reception. You can
offer various fl avors, such as movie
style, cheese or kettle corn. Encourage
guests to spice it up with different
salts or spices, such as cinnamon or
paprika.
The best part about reception bars?
Your imagination is the limit. Virtually
any food can be turned into a chic,
self-serve station. They are totally
customizable to your taste, personality,
and even geography.
Hosting a Southern fete? Offer a
biscuit bar with various spreads and
toppings. Or a sweet tea bar with
assorted syrups guests can add, such
as peach or raspberry. Never been a
fan of the traditional “chicken or beef”
option? Create a taco station. Any one
of these is sure to be something your
guests remember forever.
— Green Shoot Media