By Carter Sutton Aines, A Sharper Palate and Events
Your ideal Saturday sounds something like this: hitting the local farmers’ market, sipping a glass (or bottle- we don’t judge) of wine with a charcuterie board, and then a candle lit intimate dinner. Your ultimate kryptonite? A cozy bed by nine with a good book. For you, it’s a perfect day.
Your relationship is unique and authentic, and you want the wedding to be the perfect reflection of exactly that. We agree! The wedding should be a perfect reflection of your love. So now, you may be asking yourself, how do my fiancé and I plan a wedding that is intimate and authentic to us, when all weddings take place in the evening. Well, great news! It doesn’t have to.
For the last several years, couples have been gravitating towards and embracing intimate daytime affairs, allowing the newlyweds to start and end their days earlier. You’ve decided to go for it, but now you and your partner are asking, “What do we serve?” Let’s break it down.Beverages and Bites
After the ceremony, consider still having a cocktail hour rather than jumping straight into the meal. This is a great time to have that large charcuterie display with assorted jams, fruits, and breads, or select a few butlered hors d’oeuvres. Miniature chicken and waffles, smoked salmon atop sliced cucumber, or a savory profiterole with fresh chicken salad are great options to tide guests over until the meal.
Bellinis, French 75s, and that oh so popular Aperol spritz are light and refreshing cocktail choices, while mimosa and Bloody Mary bars are also a popular favorite, providing customizable options. Bespoke mocktails with fresh herbs, infused simple syrups, purees, juices, and sparking soda are great options for the sober or sober curious guest. Stray away from dark liquor drinks such as Manhattans and smoked old fashioned’s, as they may be too heavy for guests.
Brunch and Lunch
When it comes to brunch or lunch, light and flavorful dishes are key. Fresh greens such as frisee, kale, or spinach with fruits and vegetables tossed in light vinaigrettes are a great start for a daytime affair. If you want to incorporate seafood, salmon, sea bass, and rockfish with a lemon-caper or butter sauce are delicious and not too heavy. Grilled or roasted chicken is another great option, while not leaving guests feeling overly full.If you are leaning more toward a brunch theme, consider crowd-pleasers such as quiches, frittatas, sausages, and bacon. Stations like Belgian waffles with assorted toppings, yogurt bars with oats and fruits, and B.Y.O. avocado toast provide interactive, memorable experiences, which are heavily trending going into 2025 and 2026 weddings. Forgoing heavy beef, pork, and lamb entrees ensures everyone feels great going into the rest of the day!
A Sweet Ending
When it comes to dessert, the options are limitless! Have you always envisioned a large cake to be served to all the guests? You still can! Jazz it up with fresh fruit or floral accents and watch the mid-afternoon sun aid to a gorgeous photo moment. Consider a small cutting cake and assorted desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth. Desserts such as assorted French macarons, berry or lemon curd tarts, miniature banana pudding, and coffee cakes are great options to wrap up your perfect afternoon!
Carter Sutton Aines’ decade-long background in the food and beverage industry led her to become an event planner and staffing coordinator for A Sharper Palate in 2018. When she’s not catering or attending an industry event, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé Brian and their pup Guinness, cheering on her favorite sports teams, traveling, and supporting the Richmond food and beverage scene. A Sharper Palate Catering and Events is one of Richmond’s premier catering companies. Visit sharperpalate.com for details.
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