Arriving on the cusp of the lazy days of summer, June reigns as the most popular month for weddings. Whether held in churches, on local beaches, or among the rows of leafy vineyards, these happy nuptials trigger a flurry of parties and showers, all requiring the careful preparation of an ample spread of delectable food.
The menu for a bridal shower depends upon the time of day the party will take place, the guest list, and the host’s budget. Other factors to consider include the bride’s personal food preferences, seasonal availability, and the size, location, and amenities of the venue.
For pre-noon events, a special breakfast of eggs Benedict, or a Champagne brunch featuring salad and quiche Lorraine may be in order. Early afternoons call for tasty luncheon fare, such as assorted sandwiches, veggies and dips, and a dessert table loaded with cupcakes, cookies, and fruit tarts.
Toward twilight, hot appetizers and cold finger foods fill the bill, especially if they’re fueling a shower that looks more like a convivial cocktail party. Tapenade-topped bruschetta, popcorn shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, and bite-sized pieces of cheese are all easy to eat while visiting and sipping.
Any event scheduled around the dinner hour will find guests hungry for something more substantial than appetizers and crudités. Whether a buffet or an elegant sit-down affair, dinner should include a choice of at least two entrees, vegetable and salad sides, and a luscious dessert.
Since most of the revelers attending bridal showers are usually women, it’s best to keep the food fairly light, yet full of lively flavor. For couples events and showers that will include men, add an extra meat-based dish and a few more hearty appetizers, such as mini-meatballs and chicken drumettes.
Of course, budget ultimately dictates the scope of the menu, but it can be augmented substantially by hosts who prepare the food themselves or enlist relatives, friends, and bridesmaids to contribute their edible specialties to a potluck spread.
If the bride loves strawberries, and they’re in season, by all means, pick some up at the Old West Berry Stand (405 E. Clark Ave.) and work them into the Champagne punch, fruit salad, or dessert table offerings. By the same token, if she harbors an aversion to pasta, don’t dish up lasagna, and be sure to keep potential allergies of both bride and guests in mind.
In a backyard equipped with a barbecue, grilled goodies—from burgers to veggies to filet mignon—lend active fun to a daylight shower. For a late afternoon cocktail party, stock the clubhouse bar with a variety of potent potables, and either arrange for hors d’oeuvres to be passed or set up a self-serve buffet.
If the shower takes place in a home with limited preparation space, don’t hesitate to call in some of Santa Maria’s professionals. From casual brunches to sit-down feasts, local restaurants and caterers are here to help ease the stress of providing sustenance for the celebrating crowd.
According to Ingrid Roberts, managing director of First Picks Management, owner of Santa Maria’s Panera Bread, the store regularly prepares large, to-go orders for bridal showers. She explained that staffers can pack individual breakfasts or an assortment of mouthwatering pastries, as well as salads like Asian sesame chicken, Greek, and Caesar.
They’ll prepare sandwiches—from roast beef to smoked turkey to Mediterranean veggie—and cut them into attractive, ready-to-serve thirds. All of Panera Bread’s to-go packages include the necessary plates, napkins, and utensils.
“We can also include petite cookies, green tea, and lemonade,” Roberts said, adding, “Our scones and muffins are big shower favorites, too.”
Panera’s catering program, called Via Panera (349-9800, panerabread.com/viapanera), offers packages specially created to match any occasion. The program features a catering coordinator who will help hosts make menu selections and determine the necessary quantities to keep everyone satisfied.
Good Neighbor Bakery (925-9700, goodneighborbakery.com), “Home of the Original Irish Meat Pie,” delivers piping hot food right to the party. For couples showers and informal lunch celebrations, try an assortment of their savory meat pies, including Irish stew, Basque-inspired chicken and black bean, steak and potato, and spicy sausage-vindaloo.
For a small additional fee, the catering staff will even set up their buffet table, complete with tablecloth, risers, table skirt, hot/cold cups, and heavy-duty, disposable dinnerware. Alternatively, hosts can hold the shower in the bakery’s large meeting room, where guests can make use of the TV VCR/DVD, white-board, and flipcharts to gaily outline the promises and potential pitfalls of the happy couple’s impending new life.
Throwing a bridal shower needn’t break the bank nor frazzle the nerves. Simply plan ahead, call in the professionals if necessary, and have plenty of food on hand to fuel the festivities.
K. Reka Badger is a big fan of flipcharts and whiteboards. E-mail comments or ideas in spreadsheet form to rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Jun 4-11, 2009.