The New and fun trend, Full Cocktail Reception Weddings

The great part about this type of reception is that the guest gets to enjoy 5-6 hours of a party where they can constantly mingle and not “get stuck” at a table with people they don’t really know. It also allows the bride and groom to “freelance” the room and greet their family and friends all night.

Basic Timeline:

The reception starts as a normal wedding with the usual 1-1 1/2 hour cocktail reception. The cocktail reception has mostly passed Hors d oeuvres, some stationary foods and any additional items you may want such as hand shucked clams and sushi.
Following the cocktail hour the event usually goes into the best man speech and first dances. It then turns into a culinary treat with different themed “Action” stations around the room. Action stations are manned by professional chefs and the food is served on individual plates (NOT A BUFFET). There are usual about three or four different themes with individual portions for each guest. The guest like it because they get a chance to try several different dishes and they also continue to mingle or dance throughout the night. This is typically served for about 1 1/2 hours.
The next event of the night is the cutting of the cake and any other traditions that you may want or need. This typically lasts about 20 minutes and dessert will be served shortly after. Dessert can also be set up as an “Action” station. We have many to choose from so let us satisfy your taste buds.
I am one who loves this style reception, not only is it a more casual and fun setting, it brings the guests together and help everyone mingle more than they would at a sit down style reception.

Sample Action Stations:

Steak House Station: 
Carved Roast Beef Tender Loin
Carved Pork Steamship
Peppercorn Sauce
Maxwell’s 1890 Steak Sauce
Apple Compote
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Crispy Onions
Wedge Lettuce Salad Smoked Bacon

Asian Station
Ginger Garlic Chicken
Thai Style Beef
Lemon Grass Shrimp
Soba Noodle Salad
Crisp Spring Rolls
Stir Fried Rice

Trattoria Pasta Station
Penne a la Vodka
Orricette with Broccoli Rabe and Spicy sausage
Tri Color Tortellini with Arugula and Oven Dried Tomatoes
Foccacia Bread
Noccellini and Grape Tomato

Comfort Food Station
4 Cheese Macaroni Bake
Chicken Pot Pies
Mini Black Angus Burgers
Pulled Pork with Corn Bread
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Red Potato Salad with Dill

Seared Tuna Station
Sashimi Crusted Tuna
Wasabi
Pickled ginger
Sushi Rice
Crab & Cucumber salad

Seafood Purse Station
All Purses wrapped in Fatah Paper
Halibut with Pomegranate a & Fennel
Garlic Shrimp with Julienne Vegetables
Cous Cous with Slivered Almonds
Chop Salad with White Balsamic

Hors D’oeuvre Station
A selection of Hot and Cold Hors D’oeuvres laid out on a grand Display

Smoke and Spice BBQ Station
Carolina Style Mustard Chicken
St Louis Style Pork Ribs
Lone Star Beef Brisket
Country Collard Greens
BBQ Potato Chips
Smoked Rosemary Walnuts
Cracklin’ Cornbread
Lexington Style Red Cole Slaw

NOLA Cajun Station
Seafood Jambalaya
Pecan Crusted Catfish
Chicken Etouffee
Creole Stuffed Peppers
Red Beans and Rice
Tomato & Onion salad with Arugula
Cheese Straws
Charcuterie Station
Smoked Shrimp
Pate a Champagne
Tuscan Salami
3 Vegetable Terrine
Salmon Pate
Duck Confit
Cornichons and Pickled Onions

Tapas Station
Serrano Ham
Patatas Bravas
Manchego Cheese
A selection of Spanish Olives
Catalan Roasted Vegetables
Tortilla Espagnola
Paella Clams

Bombay Station
Vegetable Samosas
Shrimp Pilau with Basmaiti Rice
Steamed Mussels with Coconut and Yogurt
Tandoori Chicken
Vegetable Curry
Naan
Raita(Cucumber Salad with Yogurt

Tuscan Panini Station
Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil
Roast Eggplant, Tomatoes and Peppers with Gorgonzola
Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Tomatoes, wilted Baby Greens
Tuscan Bean Soup with Prosciutto
Tomato Bruschetta

It is your call, but this great way of celebrating the most important day has become more popular. I also feel that since the average age of the bride and groom is much older that it was 20 years ago and the fact that a lot of brides and grooms are paying for their own wedding they enjoy a more fun, less traditional reception.

Cheers!!