One of my favorite things to do is to eat really good food and I know I’m not alone. Thus, when planning your wedding, be sure to give your meal some thought. It can help to set the scene for your wedding, it can tell your guests something about you as a couple, and it can even dictate the mood of your day!

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Set the stage at your wedding with some thoughtful appetizers. These can include anything from bread or crackers and a selection of cheeses to pair with your favorite wines, something unexpected like mini pizzas or french fries, something that celebrates the location of your wedding or heritage like spring rolls, or just some varied appetizers that you happen to enjoy.

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Along with your appetizers, the drink selection helps to get your guests in the mood. Whether your drinks of choice are something classic like champagne and wine or something a little more unexpected like a juice or soda bar, be sure to stick to your theme in this arena as well. You can serve a cocktail that is a brand new creation made especially for you as a couple, your family’s secret sangria recipe, or even just water. Don’t forget to add some special garnishes like personalized ribbons or tags to finish off the look!

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The main course is key in maintaining your theme. If you’re having a wedding in Italy or want to celebrate your heritage– serve some pasta or other Italian dishes. If you want to celebrate a sustainable lifestyle, serve some organic and locally grown food. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, serve some cuisine that shows your guests just how delicious vegetarian food can be. Even the presentation can fit in to your theme. If you’re having a relaxed wedding, serve your food buffet or family style. If you’re having a DIY wedding, you could even have guests bring in their favorite dishes, potluck style.

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End the reception with the perfect dessert– whether it’s a cake or a candy bar. Go ultra-traditional with a white tiered cake. If you feel like mixing things up a bit, use colored frosting or embellishments like flowers or ribbons to change things up. If you’d rather not do a cake, you can always serve cupcakes or set up some sort of dessert bar with different goodies including donuts, pies, cookies, petit fours and other sweet treats. If you’re having kids in the wedding or going for a playful feel, set up a candy bar with plenty of goodies for young and old, or even a chocolate fountain with plenty of goodies to dip or a sundae bar where guests can make their own sundaes. Don’t forget to serve some hot chocolate, tea, milk, and/ or coffee to pair with the goodies.

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I’ve been obsessed with Irish culture for a long time now and as a result I always swoon when I see pictures of the rolling green hills and the picturesque landscape of the Irish countryside. Therefore, I thought it would be fitting to feature a green Irish-inspired theme just in time for St. Patrick’s day.

To have the perfect Irish wedding, host your ceremony in a lovely Catholic church complete with stained glass and towering ceilings. Afterward, host your reception in one of the many castles or if the weather holds up, amongst some gorgeous ruins overlooking the green hills.

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For the decor, stick to a color scheme of emerald green with touches of orange in homage to the Irish flag. Tie colorful green ribbons to some glass jars to make lovely, simple lanterns. If you can find a location with green stained glass, it would be even better, but if not, make do with plenty of leafy greenery to decorate and add in some orange blossoms to accent the location.

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Old books full of Irish lore could make some great centerpieces– not to mention serve a dual purpose as ice breakers for guests. Set out some favor bags filled with orange and white petals for tossing for your guests and give your flower girl and ring bearer some green cushions to hold. For your wedding rings, get a traditional claddagh ring and participate in the traditional hand fasting ceremony. You can also give some homemade Irish cream as wedding favors and give your groomsmen some Irish pub signs as groomsmen gifts. You can give your bridesmaids some lovely green necklaces that they’ll be sure to cherish.

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How better to honor Ireland than with some potato soup, fish and chips, and plenty of Irish beverages. Set out a green themed candy buffet as well as cupcakes decorated with green shamrocks. For your cake, be sure to decorate it with plenty of greenery and some of your orange blossoms.

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For the attire, give your groom and groomsmen some shamrock cufflinks for luck, and wear some emerald jewelry. The men can wear newsboy caps and plaid ties and the women can wear emerald green dresses. For another green accent, place a sash around your waist and sneak in some green wedding shoes.

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