The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1369261
Food The true event of the day is the wedding ceremony, but every bride knows feeding the crowd is the perfect way to say thank you for sharing your special day. With a backyard wedding, the menu choices are only limited by the caterers you find. Sit-down meal, bbuffetuffett, or hardy appetizers passed around while guests mingle are all possibilities. Take a tip from family traditions and serve pasta and antipasto just like grandma made, or indulge in paella with the recipe straight from Spain. Whether Cuban, Irish, Mexican, or straight from the streets of New York, give a nod to your family roots through the cherished food you serve. And don't forget to top it all off with the perfect cake...or pie or ice cream. It's your day to indulge in your favorites whatever they may be. Drinks Champagne at a wedding is nearly as traditional as the bride's white dress. But like all traditions, sometimes they are made to be broken. Rember that perfect fruity cocktail you and your future spouse shared on your first trip together? Or the ideal whiskey you found from a local distillery? Introduce your guests to your favorite drinks by creating a signature wedding cocktail. Then make sure guests don't have to wait in long lines to quench their thirst by offering several bar areas scattered throughout the yard or all under one big tent. For a sit down dinner consider having wine already at the tables and for a personal touch order specialty labels for the bottles. Remember to have water and non-alcoholic drinks available too, especially if your ceremony is in the heat of the day. Lighting The lighting for your backyard wedding will help create the desired mood. Picture chandeliers hanging from tents with jazz playing in the background as the perfect setting for a sophisticated dinner. Strings of lights across tree branches will highlight a natural setting while an array of candles on every table will create instant romance. Paper lanterns in vivid colors bring a festive mood and boost the energy of the dancing crowd. Match the lighting effect to the music, the food, the setting, and see how light can turn ordinary to magical. V U E N J .C O M 53