Oh the dreaded wedding check-list. Right? It just always seems like the list never ends as the wedding creeps closer and closer. Have you thought about your wedding menus? If you’re like me, you’ve carefully chosen what you will be serving your guests during the reception and there’s NO WAY you’re ignoring another stationery element to complete your overall look. The menu card, sadly, was one of my favorite things to put together. I love food and I love stationery.
Why create a written menu?
(A) indicate what your guests should expect for dinner
(B) provides choices for your guests for their entrees
(c) adds an additional stationery design element to your wedding
(D) adds a sense of formality to your wedding reception
Here are some tips from yours truly when deciding how best to display your menu at your wedding lunch/brunch/dinner reception:
If you’ve gone the route of a buffet or family style dinner, it’s usually best to showcase your menu once or twice on the table. A folded card or a menu framed in a picture frame are generally most common, and it allows your guests to pass around the menu if they want to see what will be served. I generally recommend having at least two menus at the center of the table when guests are grouped in tables greater than 8, so everyone from either side of the table gets a chance to view the list.
There is also the option of displaying the menu in one central location, usually next to the buffet table or somewhere where most guests will be aware that it’s available to view. And there are many beautiful options to choose from for your display.
Here are some options!
- handwritten on a chalkboard
- painted on a large wooden board
- custom printed to showcase your wedding design or monogram
- written on a large mirror
- projected on a blank wall
If you’ve chosen a plated dinner, which often includes a list of entree options, you’ll may decide to place a menu at each guest place setting. This allows guests to mull over their choices individually. Not to mention, it does look pretty and completes the look of the table!
Below are some options:
- printed on cardstock and placed on a folded napkin (or tucked in)
- printed on a belly wrap and wrapped around a napkin
- printed on cardstock in a round shape to fit a charger
- displayed on a clip board
- displayed on your guest favours
I hope that helps you! Don’t forget to have a bit of fun designing your menus. They’re a time for you to infuse your personality with some creativity.
Happy planning…
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{images: one per table – 1. hostess blog 2. wedding obsession feature 3. ritzy bee blog 4. wedding obsession feature // central location – 1. style me pretty 2. Pinterest 3. pinterest – snippet & ink // every place setting – 1. martha stewart weddings 2. 3. Inspired Bride}
Comments
This is a great post Melissa! Most clients often forget about these details and are unsure of all the options!
Pinkpolka Design on August 29, 2011Ah, you forgot reason E) It’s one more thing the wedding industry can flog.
I agree that as a guest it’s nice to know what food you are being served. But to think of the menu as an opportunity to buy more stationery seems a little ridiculous to me. There’s enough for brides to think about and buy without adding pressure to purchase more things in each stationery ‘set’. This would be something very simple to make for yourself. In fact, that’s what I did. It still matched other elements of the wedding, but it was not expensive.
my honest answer on August 30, 2011@pinkpolka – thanks!
@myhonestanswer – I totally understand and yes it’s always acceptable to not have a menu as well, but it’s always nice if you can! In fact, I made my own as well! :) Some want it to match their wedding sets or don’t have the computer skills to create their own so they hire a wedding stationery designer to make it for them. That’s the fun of weddings, it’s entirely customizable for every couple. What might work for some might not work for others!
melissa on August 30, 2011These are fantastic ideas. The little touches really add a lot. My favorites are the chalkboard and painted wood signs, so simple but they look amazing.
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Wedding Obsession » Weekly Wrap-Up on September 02, 2011
