Catering: Soup

The weather's got me shifting gears a bit.  Now, instead of thinking about a hot summer wedding, I can't get my mind off a cool fall bash.  It's reminding me how clutch it is to take into consideration the season while planning your wedding, especially when knocking out your menu.  Serving warm seasonal items when the air is brisk will make your guests feel nice and cozy...and what's more cozy than a tasty soup. 

Image via Soiree Catering & Events

Flavors
Some of our fav fall flavors...

Acorn Squash Bisque
Butternut Squash
Tomato Basil Bisque
She Crab with a touch of Sherry
Corn Chowder
Chili
Fish Chowder
Lobster Madiera Bisque
Sweet Potato Bisque
Lobster and Sweet Corn Chowder


Image via Taste Spotting



Passed Hors d'Oeuvres

One of my favorite ways to welcome guests is with a delicious shot o' soup. 
Served in a small shot glass and garnished anyway you please, your guests will love the creativity.  A small helping of a delicious warm soup is the perfect way to get the reception off to a good start and get your guests excited about the rest of the menu.

Image via Simply Recipes

 
Images via Italian Dish and Use Real Butter

Image via Use Real Butter

First Course
Instead of kicking off your seated affair with a boring ol' salad, try treating your guests to a little something different.  Highlight the Lowcountry cuisine with an old favorite like She Crab Soup or a yummy seafood bisque.  If you've got dietary restrictions in your crowd try a Tomato Basil Bisque.

Image via In the Little Red House

Straight from the Pot
If you're having a more casual affair for your wedding or rehearsal dinner, a nice hot soup served right from a cast iron pot is not only delicious, but it will add an extra rustic touch to the evening.

Image via Leigh Webber Photography

Soup Bar

So, we've seen there are plenty of ways to get creative with soup presentation. 
One of my favorites is a soup bar.  With a variety of flavors and a mix of different vessels, your guests will have a field day with their mini soup taste testing.  If you're just looking to stick to one type, try a basic potato soup and provide multiple toppings so your friends and family can loaded it up!

Image via Foodies at Home

Pretzel Station

It might have a little bit to do with my past experience in catering but my favorite part of a wedding is ALWAYS the food.  How I see it, a wedding can be absolutely exquisite but if the food is blah or just flat out bad that will be the only thing guests take away from the evening.  On the other hand, if the food is out-of-this-world and they can experience items differently, either by presentation or taste, I can promise they will be raving about your big day for years to come.

I always love dreaming up menus that put a fun twist on an old favorite, so recently when I was snacking on a soft pretzel at a USC baseball game, it hit me...I love pretzels (of all shapes, sizes and flavors!) and I'd die for a late night pretzel station.  This is what I'm thinking...

Images via Dine and Dish and Picky Cook

Pretzel bites or miniature pretzels served warm in a variety of flavors like: original (all nice and buttered up!) cinnamon sugar, garlic or even stuffed like a little pizza with pepperoni and mozzarella.  For sauces: mustard, marinara, cheese and chocolate.  Present them in cute baskets (below) and have cups or pretzel bags available (that you can coordinate with your wedding colors) to allow guests to move freely around while snackin' and dippin'!

     

Images via Green Wedding Shoes and Martha Stewart Weddings

Most importantly, don't forget include some chocolate covered pretzels!

Food + Drink Stations

Stations are a great way to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere for your guests while incorporating the regional cuisine.  Spreading out the different stations will reduce the clutter of the dreaded buffet line and will give your guests more time to mingle instead of wasting time standing in line.  For seating, don't just stick to seated tables, mix it up with cocktail tables to encourage party-goers to circulate throughout the room.  Using smaller plates will allow guests to move around with ease while promoting smaller portions to ensure they can test out all the Lowcountry cookin'! 

Check out some of our fan-favorites...

GRILLED CHEESE STATION

Dreamed up by the ladies of Sweetgrass Social, this crowd pleaser includes

an assortment of breads and cheeses, tomato, bacon and even a fried egg! 
Go gourmet by adding options like: Brie with Apples and Camembert with Pears.

Add a little Lowcountry:
Include a local pimento cheese and finish the station with a side of
tomato pie or maybe even some tomato basil soup shooters.

       

 Images by The Reason

TACO STATION

I'm not talking about your regular ol' tacos.  I'm thinking Key West-Style shrimp and fish tacos that will be a perfect compliment to the warm weather.  Let your guests experiment with a smorgasbord of ingredients like: cheeses, tomatoes, lettuce, mango salsa, jalapeno coleslaw and avocados then slather 'em up with a chipotle aioli or cilantro lime dressing. 
Refreshment - Red Wine Sangria

Add a little Lowcountry:
Use fresh fish and shrimp straight from the coast of Carolina.  Give it a Southern kick by including beef brisket as an option.

Images via Fabulous Foods, Simple Recipes, My Inner Fatty

 

BISCUIT BAR

The first time I ran across the biscuit bar, I remember thinking, 'How have I never thought of this before!'  It's genius.  Perfect for a shower or a late morning wedding, your guests will love testing out the variety of jams, butters and honey atop large, fluffy buttermilk biscuits.  But don't stop there, how about throwing in some sausage gravy?!

Add a little Lowcountry:
Include some sweet potato biscuits, sweet potato butter and local jams.

Images via 100 Layer Cake  Designed by Jillian Event Design Photographed by Anna Robin

PANCAKE BAR

Keeping with the brunch theme...how bout a pancake bar?  Allow guests to top off their flapjacks with seasonal fruits, chocolate chips, whipped cream and an assortment of different syrups. 
Beverage choice - a Mimosa, of course.

Add a little Lowcountry:
Not to sound repetitive but...sweet potato 'cakes.  (Duh!)  Topped with a little cinnamon honey butter, syrup and whipped cream...Who can turn down dessert for brunch? Not this girl

Event Styling by Jen Campbell of Green Wedding Shoes, Lauryl Lane and Esther Kim of My Bride Story
Images by Sarah Yates Photography



CREPE STATION

Mmm, Crepes!  What's so fun about a crepe station is its versatility. You can go sweet or savory...or both.  Early in the evening, kick off this made-to-order station by giving guests the option of different meats and seafood (our favorites are salmon and chicken), local vegetables, cheeses and a mushroom cream sauce. Later in the reception, flip it over to a dessert bar with new toppings like: fresh fruits, toasted coconut, ice cream whipped cream and chocolate, strawberry and caramel sauce.

Add a little Lowcountry:
Enlist the help of Charleston Crepe Co. 
With their assistance, your guests will be able to choose from a variety of fresh, local ingredients including their assorted batters such as: buckwheat, whole wheat, fresh herb and chocolate. 
They are also the brains behind the tiered crepe cake!






Images via Lori Larson Photography, Martha Stewart, Stina Booth



S'MORES STATION

"You're killin' me, Smalls!"

Sorry, I hear the word s'mores and immediately think Sandlot and very rarely can I resist a classic movie quote.  Anyway...Surprise your guests with a late night do-it yourself s'mores station.  Give 'em options with some gourmet, flavored 'mallows like Maple Bacon (you heard me right, Maple Bacon!), Caramel Swirl and Vanilla Bean from Plush Puffs.

Add a little Lowcountry:
Take advantage of your venue!  If you've selected
one of the many venues in the Charleston area that offers a great mix of indoor/outdoor space, allow your guests to experience the surroundings...and what better way to do it then by whippin' up some s'mores by the fire!

Images via Alchemy Fine Events, Miss Pickle Press, Big Sur Weddings, So Simply Special



ROOT BEER FLOAT BAR

Who can resist a root beer float?!  Served late night, give guests the option of
A&W Root Beer, Coca-Cola or Sunkist Orange Soda. 
Accessorize them with darling drink stirrers or stripped straws for a retro vibe.

Add a little Lowcountry:
Serve them in mason jars!

 Images by Terra Dawn Photography Designed by ATRENDY Wedding

 Images via Love and Lavendar and Once Wed



MOJITO BAR

Doesn't a mojito just sound so refreshing right now?  A mojito bar is a fabulous idea for those hot sweltering summer months.  With additional flavor options like: guava, too blue, mango and strawberry basil you'll be sure to please everyone.  Top it off with an umbrella and your guests will feel like they're on a mini vacay! 

Add a little Lowcountry:
Make Mo-Tea-toes! 
Have your bartender mix up some Firefly Mint Tea (based on Wadmalaw Island),
Soda, a squeeze of lime and some muddled fresh mint.  Heaven!

Images by Kate Headley via Style Me Pretty

BLOODY MARY BAR

A bloody mary bar is perfect compliment to a brunch reception.  Make sure to have an array of ingredients: tomato juice, zing zang, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, Guinness (this is my little secret weapon), celery salt, Tabasco sauce...I could go on and on!  But the key to a successful BM Bar is really the garnishes: celery, pickled onions, olives and even salami.

Add a little Lowcountry:

Make it a Lowcountry Bloody Mary with a bacon and/or shrimp garnish!

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Living, Eat My Wedding

BOURBON BAR

Was there ever a more Southern beverage station, then a good ol' Bourbon Bar?  Um...no.   I've got to hand it to event designer, Calder Clark, on this one.  I've spent many-a Saturday's tailgating for some SEC football games (Go Dawgs!), so bourbon holds a special little place in my heart.  To pull it off, break out your prized heirloom decanters, your family's favorite bourbons, some rocks glass and enjoy your wedding day reminiscing with your friends and relatives.

(I'm at a lost as how to make this more Lowcountry...
so if anybody has any ideas, I'd love to hear them!)

Images by A Bryan Photo