Beach theme weddings are elegant, casual affairs that revel in simplicity and style. While the reception and ceremony are often the results of meticulous planning, the menu tends to be overlooked. Many people don’t know what sort of food to serve at beach theme weddings and tend to fall back on the old staples: chicken, beef or fish. Beach theme weddings lend themselves to a wide array of wonderful food that can be delicious and simple. Below are some useful tips for planning menus for beach theme weddings.
Though not for everybody, fish is a great choice for menus at beach theme weddings. Sole, Flounder and mahi mahi are nice white fishes that have mellow flavors that most people enjoy. If you like something with a little more substance, go for salmon. It is easily prepared and can be quite affordable if you go with the farm raised. Avoid serving sea bass, it is an endangered species, and aside from the potential devastation of sea bass populations, can be quite expensive. Also remember that if the fish smells like fish then it isn’t fresh. Fresh fish doesn’t have an odor and doesn’t start to develop an odor for about three days if properly handled and refrigerated. Working with your caterer and developing a plan ahead of time to make sure your fish is fresh well worth the extra effort. You and your guests will appreciate it.
As people tend to serve seafood at beach theme weddings, it is usually best to offer a light white wine. The flavor of white wine lends itself well to the delicate flavor of many dishes, including fish, shrimp, and lobster. Look for a wine that has a crisp as opposed to sweet flavor. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are good places to start. Meet with your caterer and ask to pair the wines with the types of seafood you are planning to serve to get a good idea of how the menu items and the wines you are considering taste together.
For appetizers, cold peel and eat shrimp, crab cakes, and lobster puffs are easy to make and very tasty. They can be prepared ahead of time and in the case of the crab cakes and lobster puffs can be cooked the day of the wedding so they are piping hot and fresh for the reception. Again, make sure that your ingredients are fresh and properly handled to avoid them going bad.
Pay attention to the type of beach theme wedding when planning the menu. If the wedding is a tropical beach theme don’t serve New England clam chowder. Likewise, if the wedding is taking place in Maine then don’t serve coconut shrimp. The menu should match the theme, not counteract it.
Overall, remember to consider your guests. Not everybody enjoys seafood, so be sure to have a wide array of non-seafood options at the wedding. However, paying close attention to the theme, meeting with the caterer ahead of time and using some of these easy tips will ensure easy menu planning for beach theme weddings.
