Son's upcoming wedding

[katieyj]

My oldest son is getting married Oct 25. I had hoped they'd have a wedding and reception, you know the whole 9 yards. But, they decided they would get married in the court house and spend the money on going on a wonderful honeymoon to Hawaii. He finally told me today, was worried I'd be disappointed and try to plan something. I guess the nice thing is they'll be coming home (they live 3.5 hrs away) and have the ceremony. And he's inviting his family, not sure if anyone from her side will be coming. I told them I'd do a nice spaghetti dinner at my house. I can get some decorations for the house, make spaghetti and meatballs, salad and bread. Yes, I guess he was right and I'm planning, LOL. I do need some ideas for an appetizer, please feel free to give me suggestions. I'm figuring no more then 15 people for dinner. If I do the meal as a buffet and have tables on the porch there should be plenty of seating. I really would like for them to have a nice day and lots of lovely memories. Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

I guess I should mention her parents don't live in this country and they don't really believe in "celebrations". Apparently the money they gave her for a wedding doesn't pay for the entire trip to Hawaii, so I do understand them wanting to save money for the trip. But, that doesn't mean they can't have a nice family wedding.

[lmcconne]

I am a big fan of pasta entrees for large dinners. If I was running the show (and I most certainly am not), I love the idea of a build-your-own-pasta buffet. Really would not take much to do a meatless marinara, meatball sauce, sauce with sausage.... Guests pile up the spaghetti noodles (or whatever shape) and ladle on the sauce of their choosing. I just think it is a really fun idea.

[lovemygirls]

It looks like an Italian style theam with dinner so here are some appetizers I could think of:

Antipasto platter
Brushetta
Prosciutto & melon

I'm sure you will make this an amazing day for your son. One thing I did not get enough of and I always remind people that are getting married is TAKE AS MANY PICTURES AS POSSIBLE. People love to look back at these special moments later in life. Best of luck to you

[atcwag]

As someone who just got married, your son is making a wonderful decision! I really wanted the experience of having a wedding, but if I knew what I know now, I would have done a civil ceremony and taken the money we would have spent and went on a fabulous trip!

I think the dinner you are planning is a fabulous idea. I think spaghetti & meatballs would be just fine, however if you wanted to add a little flair you could do the build-your-own that Imcconne mentioned. You could do meat sauce, red sauce, and alfredo and then add-ins such as parmesan cheese, veggies, meatballs, chicken, shrimp, etc.

As for appetizers, you could do:
bruschetta
tomato & mozzerella salad
cucumber salad
"normal" salad
garlic bread and/or breadsticks

[3timesoccermom]

How fun katieyj!!! I hope they are appreciative of your efforts. It's a very nice thing for you to do for them.

What about stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer?

[katieyj]

Thank you all. I'm loving the "build your own" pasta bar and the appetizer suggestions. I thought I could get the sauce(s) made the weekend before and freeze them, that should make things a little easier, since the wedding is on a Tuesday.

I did notice one of the grocery stores around here offered a canolli filling for wedding cakes. I'm figuring I cold get a small 2 tier wedding cake, everyone needs a wedding cake. ;)

[lmcconne]

Or wedding cupcakes. Display them on a tier stand and voila.

[3timesoccermom]

lmconne - HOW FUN!!! (the cupcakes!)

katieyj - You can easily make this into a LOT of work and then you won't even be able to enjoy yourself so be careful not to try and do too much. I know how quickly a simple shindig can turn into something way bigger than we planned.

[katieyj]

Renee - So true, I will try to keep it as simple as possible.

Wedding cupcakes, I hadn't thought of that. Let me go check those out.

Thanks for all the ideas ladies

[Gertie2u]

A suggestion on the cake/cupcake front. Get a large cupcake really ornately decorated or a small top tier cake for them to box up to eat on the first anniversary. Other than that, the cupcakes are awesome. Then no one has to stand around trying to cut cake for people and lay out slices. Reason I commented on this, I had the full-blown cake, little brother had the cupcakes. When I commented how great the cupcakes were when we were looking at pictures after they got back from the honeymoon, they said they were happy about them except one thing. No traditional tier to save for the first anniversary!

For appetizers for your pasta dinner, what about a veggies tray with some dips. Great if anyone is dieting or doesn't eat <fillintheblank> since they can just choose those veggies they like. Easy to clean and prepare ahead.