Carrying the vineyard theme through to catering

Of course the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a vineyard wedding is wine, and while it's a great first step, there are many ways to carry your vineyard wedding theme through to your food and beverage selections.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1) Try using wine barrels as bases for your buffet or dessert tables.

The modular nature of the wine barrels will allow you to set up one longer table or several smaller tables around your reception or cocktail hour space and the rustic charm of the weathered wood adds elegance and warmth.  The addition of the chandelier is a great way to make the table draw attention with a touch of dramatic lighting.

2) Set up wine and cheese pairing stations.

This is one of my favorite cocktail hour ideas!  You can set up several stations at different areas throughout the cocktail hour space, which encourages your guests to move around and interact with one another while preventing traffic jams in front of one large table.  You can provide descriptions for each pairing in a decorative frame on each table and allow your guests the opportunity to find a new favorite.  This is also great way to cut down on the pricier cocktails that your guests might consume during cocktail hour.

3) Serve a plated meal with a wine reduction.

 

There are few things that I love more in life than a steak smothered in a cabernet reduction and I'm willing to bet your guests will agree!  The sweet, woody flavor of the cabernet combines perfectly with the flavor of the beef and the bordeaux coloration of the sauce makes for a beautiful plated presentation.  Seared scallops in a white wine reduction are also pretty gosh darn tasty and provide a seafood option for your guests.

4) Let your cake get viney.

  

Molded sugar, fondant, and marzipan all make great options for designing a delicious grape vine to cascade down your tiered wedding cake.  The understated elegance of the vine allows you to go with a very basic design for your cake tiers or you can choose to dress it up with textures and colors.

And since I can't get enough of cake balls these days - I love them!