Winter Weddings Live Large With Delectable Small Plates

Winter weddings have been popular for several years among couples who are looking for a celebration that’s not your usual summer shindig. Wintertime allows for a different pace and style in nuptials, and that includes the menu options. If you are looking for innovative winter dishes, talk with your caterer about some fun, seasonal choices that your guests will love.

Seasonal Items

There are many fall and winter produce options that lend themselves well to winter wedding small plate dishes. Squash, tangerines, and root vegetables all rule the colder months, so ask your caterer to look for ways in which to incorporate their flavors. These are some ideas to get you started:

• Baby kale salad with pine nuts, parmesan, and a vinaigrette dressing
• Pasta with cauliflower, bread crumbs, capers, and chunks of mustardy chicken
• Braised Brussels sprouts on a skewer with a sweet balsamic sauce

Bring the Heat

If it gets very cold during winter where you are planning to have your wedding, you might want find ways to heat up your celebration by adding some spice to the menu. You can create the warmth of an inner fireplace by asking your caterer to focus on some small plates with heat. One of these choices might be the right fit for you:

• Sweet and spicy fruit salad can be served in an endive leaf.
• Fill scoop-shaped tortilla chip or cornbread bowls with spicy chili.
• Spicy chicken drumsticks are classic when served with a blue cheese dip.

Look for Sparkle

Wintertime is all about the magic of the season – the sparkle, the shine and the wonder. It’s possible to add those elements to your wedding menu as well. Talk with your caterer about how to add small plate items that are high on visual impact. Here are some examples:

• Fruit tarts have lots of color and may be topped with a shiny sugar glaze.
• Add sparkle to small-dish desserts with a sprinkle of edible glitter in silver or gold.
• Pomegranate seeds are a gorgeous, glistening red. Add them to a tiny salad or bruschetta offering.

Comfort Foods

Winter weddings are a perfect time to warm your guests’ hearts with some true comfort food. Keep the portions small so they can sample lots of different items, but make sure the focus is on soul-nurturing dishes. Consider some of these choices:

• Mini eggplant parmesans look adorable is small ramekins.
• Macaroni and cheese can be dressed up with the addition of bacon or unusual cheeses.
• You can’t go wrong with soup. Serve it in shot glasses to eliminate the need for a spoon.

Dessert Delights

Finally, no wedding is complete without some sort of dessert plan. Wedding cakes are the standard option, and those decorated in snowflakes and shimmer can be especially enchanting. However, if you’d like to offer other dessert choices, here are some directions you could go:

• Crème brulee has a crunchy, sweet crust atop creamy custard.
• Homemade peppermint marshmallows may be dipped in dark chocolate and candy-cane crumbles.
• Slices of traditional yule log are beautiful and can be garnished with meringue mushrooms.
• Hire a wedding caterer to handle the cakes & dessert.

Winter weddings offer a level of enchantment that summer celebrations just can’t. Take advantage of the season by offering special small plates that your guests will love.