10 Dishes You Shouldn’t Have At Your Wedding
One of the most challenging decisions when planning a wedding is the menu. It can be exciting to meet with the caterer to plan this most important meal for you and your guests. However, because weddings are such an intricate and carefully planned affair, not everything will work well with your event. There are certain foods that may be best to leave off the menu for a number of reasons.
- Delicate Greens
Salads can be a great option on any menu but some greens will not be able to stand up to the weight of the dressings or the time and pressure of a long evening. Salads should be made from heartier veggies rather than the lighter spring greens or baby lettuces, opt for romaine or bib instead.
- Garlic
There’s no question that garlic can add lots of flavor to most dishes however, in a wedding where people will be up close and personal with each other, the effect it has on your breath can leave much to be desired. That’s hardly the thing you’d want your wedding to be remembered for.
- Messy Dishes
Some favorites may not go well with such an auspicious occasion. While quite tasty, any food that must be eaten with your fingers or is heavy with sauces should be avoided. Foods like burritos, ribs, or pasta can easily leave impossible stains on more expensive clothing. It could end up being very costly for your guests who may have found the need to rent a suit online and end up paying for cleaning.
- Fish
Avoid serving fish with lots of bones. These can be difficult to eat and messy. Because fish in general is difficult to store and prepare in large quantities, you are also increasing the risk of exposing your guests to contamination. Instead, lesser bony fish like salmon, bassa, or bombil can be served under the right conditions, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny for it.
- Pizza
While most people love pizza, there is a difficulty in preparing it and keeping it all hot before getting it to your guests on time. Also, because of the many different ingredients included, you might have several guests with dietary restrictions. Getting the right combination could be difficult and inconvenient for a wedding reception.
- Common Foods That Trigger Allergies
Many people now have developed allergies and intolerances to certain foods. Expect restrictions on nuts, eggs, and shellfish. Unless you’re planning on having allergy-free alternatives for these items, prepare for some guests to have digestive problems and even a visit to the emergency room in more serious cases.
- Dairy Rich Foods
Many of your guests may be lactose intolerant and may end up suffering from bloating, gas, or other digestive issues after the meal. Weddings are supposed to be fun and exciting and these foods can create stomach problems, which could quickly put a damper on the festivities. Avoid dishes that are heavy with butter, cream, or milk.
- Spicy Foods
Everyone does not have a tolerance for spicy foods. Just because you love spicy appetizers does not mean that your guests will be able to handle it well. If you’re planning a spicy menu, temper it with several milder dishes so that everyone will have an option they are comfortable with.
- High Risk Foods
These can include many culturally popular dishes that can add an exotic aspect to your menu. Foods like sashimi, raw meat, or oysters are often considered as delicacies but they come with a high risk of food poisoning. They need to be prepared carefully and served in a timely fashion making them difficult to serve safely at large events.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
While this dish is quite popular it is also very heavy. You want your guests to be happy to celebrate your special day with you, but they are likely to spend the rest of the festivities feeling sluggish and weighed down after such a heavy meal. If you want to see them get up on the dance floor and take part in the festivities, opt for something lighter.
It can be difficult to find the right balance of flavorful dishes that reflect your special occasion. As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid anything that can cause bad breath, digestive issues, or stained clothing and you should be fine.
