Can Someone Roll Me Out?

That is the question I wanted to ask after our tasting at the Tribute.  Our bridal buffet packages comes with several options, which Mama & Daddy Elephant, Mr. E and I were eager to test out.

Warning - The following post may make you hungry.

Smiling with some full stomachs

First up was the salad.  We thought this was a done deal from the get go because Mr. E really only likes Caesar salad, and we thought that would be a universal safe bet.  

Traditional Caesar Salad 

Since we had so many options (and the tasting was included in our package) I thought it would be nice to taste one of the other 6 options - the Baby Spinach with Strawberries, Candied Walnuts (which weren't available for the tasting but will be on our wedding day), Blue Cheese, Red Onions & Raspberry Vinaigrette.

As a shock to me, Mr. E not only tried but LOVED the Baby Spinach salad!  Mom, Dad and I all loved it as well, so out with the Caesar and in with a yummy spring salad.  We're going to nix the red onions, and have this delivered once the guests are seated.  That way they will have something to eat while other tables are dismissed to the buffet line.

Moving on to the hors d'oeuvres.  The plan was to add 2 butler passed apps to go with the 2 displays (imported & domestic cheese with flatbreads, and fresh seasonal fruit).

Crab Rangoons & Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chile Sauce

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

We all loved the chicken skewers but there was a toss up between the Crab Rangoons (the pick of Mr. E & I) and the Coconut Shrimp (Mom and Dad's favorite).  Thankfully Bethany (the venue coordinator) informed us that we could replace one of the displays with the 3rd passed hor d'oeuvre.  You don't have to twist my arm! The piece of pineapple in the middle of the chicken skewer counts as fruit, right? 

Next up were our selections of entrées, veggies, starches & stations.  Our package included 1 entrée to go with the carving station beef, 1 veggie, 1 starch and we were going to add in a station of either mashed potatoes or mac & cheese.   

Mr. E, Mama & Daddy Elephant making room for the entrées

The chicken breast (with lemon herb & cream pesto sauces) & creamy risotto.  

Rosemary New Potatoes & the Santa Fe Chicken with Poblano Cream sauce

Filet of Salmon, Green Beans with Bacon & Onions, and Rice Pilaf

Mashed Potatoes & Toppings 

Chicken Cordon Bleu, Vegetable Medley & Mac & Cheese (prior to toppings) 

The end result of Mr. E's Mac & Cheese

After stuffing ourselves past the point of full, we were at a stand still between the entrée option.  We all loved the salmon (and I do mean loved, there was no salmon left on anyone's plate) but knew that more guests would probably eat chicken.  We hemmed and hawed, and decided that the chicken breast was the way to go.  While we all really enjoyed the cream pesto sauce, we were afraid that our guests may not so we opted for the lemon herb sauce. It was really hard to choose because we were trying to think of what our guests would like the most, but my dad made a comment that rang true.  

You can't please everyone.  

And it's true, unless we had numerous options (and could pay for those numerous options) there is bound to be someone out of our 150 person guest list that won't like one or more of the things that we selected. 

On the drive home, while we were all still talking about the salmon, Daddy Elephant made an announcement that made me & Mr. E so grateful.  He decided that paying for the extra entrée was the way to go, and he was going to make it happen.  I did the happy dance in the car because I was so excited about that salmon! 

Here are our final selections:

Cocktail Hour

- Imported & Domestic Cheese with Assorted Flatbreads

- Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chile Sauce

- Crab Rangoons with Sweet & Sour Sauce

- Teriyaki Chicken skewers

Salad

- Baby Spinach, Strawberries, Candied Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Entrées

- Carved Top Round of Beef with choice of Au Jus, Dijon, Creamy Horseradish or BBQ Sauce

- Breast of Chicken with Lemon Herb Sauce

- Filet of Salmon with Buerre Blance Sauce

Sides

- Mac & Cheese Station with choice of Cheddar or Asiago Crème Sauce, Sautéed Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Bacon, Breadcrumbs & Shredded Parmesan

- Rosemary New Potatoes

- Green Beans with Bacon & Onions

- Rolls & Butter

Hopefully there is something for everyone and our guests won't go hungry.

Did you have a tasting during your planning period?  What will be (or was) your favorite item to eat at your wedding (if you have/had a chance to eat)?