Catering Guide Sterling VA

There are many details your wedding guests will forget days or weeks after the reception, such as what color flowers were in your bouquet or whether your French manicure was chipped. What they won't forget easily? A great meal. They also won't forget a not-so-great meal. For both these reasons, it makes sense to concentrate plenty of planning energy on the food, drink, service and atmosphere of your reception. In this special section: sensible advice to help you plan your affair from hors d'oeuvres to dessert. We even asked caterers to offer some sample reception menus. Hungry for more? Dig in!

Finding Your Style

'Before you meet with a single caterer or catering-hall manager, you and your fiancé should discuss the level of formality you desire for your reception,' says Eileen Livers, author of The Unofficial Guide to Planning Your Wedding (MacMillan, 1999). How formal your event will be is the cornerstone for all other planning decisions, 'from the cut of your gown to the style of your invitations, and, of course, your catering selections,' notes Livers.

How to decide? Well, what sort of wedding have you fantasized about? If your dreams include flickering candlelight, a traditional gown with a long train and a string quartet, you're likely to gravitate toward a formal sit-down dinner. If they involve a sun-drenched, barefoot beach wedding, a party with rum runners and seafood or a relaxed, outdoor cocktail celebration may be right up your alley. Is neither re...

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