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Food & Drink

Daytime Reception Food Ideas

By Amy Cabaniss with Julep’s New Southern Cuisine Gone are the days of the “traditional” wedding. These days, couples are changing up the game with their big days, such as choosing to have a daytime wedding ceremony and reception. Which begs the question…what do you serve at a reception that is taking place earlier in the day?
Amy Cabaniss Julep's New Southern Cuisine Richmond Wedding reception earlier

Emily Bartell Photography

The good news is that just like all other facets of the wedding, there are options! The first thing you will want to identify is not unique to an evening wedding: what kind of vibe do you want your reception to have? Do you want guests to be served, serve themselves, dine family-style with passed plates, or enjoy mini bites over a cocktail hour type environment? Next, determine if you want the food to have a theme or specific style such as traditional Italian, southern cuisine, barbecue, etc. Depending on the time of the reception, some guests may not be ready for a full, large meal. One great option for early afternoon weddings are finger foods and/or passed hors d’oeuvres alongside beverages or cocktails. Some food ideas include kabobs, bruschetta, specialty cheeses, and deviled eggs. Consider small plates of crab cakes, oysters, and shrimp if you’re a seafood lover. Don’t forget the dessert – macaroons, cream puffs, and cookies will really leave guests feeling satisfied. Check with your caterer on staffing availability if you choose to have passed hors d’oeuvres. For those hosting a wedding earlier in the afternoon, a brunch-style meal is a unique concept and will allow for tons of food types, such as waffle, pancake or omelet stations, mini quiches, and a mimosa bar. Add fresh fruits, jams, and syrups for those who have a “sweet tooth” or are craving dessert. We can really see this being popular if your wedding is in Richmond because everyone knows that RVA loves their brunch! Regardless of what (and when) you serve your guests, they are sure to have a lovely, memorable time on your big day. Just be sure to make your plan clear on the invites and other wedding communication so guests know what to expect for their appetite!

Julep’s New Southern Cuisine is one of Richmond’s top upscale restaurants, offering quality service, creative and seasonal cocktails made with local ingredients, and Southern dishes inspired by Atlanta, Charleston, New Orleans, and Savannah cuisine. Julep’s is great for private parties, celebrations and rehearsal dinners. Learn more at www.juleps.net.

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.
waffles with berries
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.
Wedding Cocktails with lemon garnish
Mini fruit pastries
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!
donuts
French toast sticks catering
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. Read more blogs like this!
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