Catering: Cocktail Hour Wedding Hors d'Oeuvres

I've always been a big fan of cocktail hour (and not just because I enjoy a good specialty drink), but it sets the stage for the entire evening.  Cocktail hour typically begins as guests start to file into the reception venue and are anxiously awaiting the bride and groom's arrival.  As they wait for the celebration to kick off, it's always nice to treat your guests to a preview of the menu to come.  Wedding hors d'oeuvres are a great way to get the party started and, let's face it, who doesn't love being greeted by servers with trays full of delicious appetizers!  I've rounded up some of my recent favorites that are very fitting for a spring/summer affair!

Specialty Drinks for Southern Weddings in Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach

Wedding season is upon us and for all of you Spring and Summer brides looking for the perfect tasty libation to welcome your guests, look no further!  We've rounded up plenty of options.   Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are blessed with the beautiful Lowcountry landscape that lends itself way to jaw dropping wedding venues that offer one-of-a-kind views on the water.  These coastal spots will naturally put wedding guest into a celebratory mood, so your choice of food and beverage needs to share the same spirit.  Welcoming your guests with a killer specialty drink will get the party started!

Blood Orange Margarita

The Brooklyn Beauty

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Pineapple Mint Rum Punch

Pomegranate Spritzer

Meyer Lemonade with Rosemary

Blackberry Sage Cooler

...and who could forget our favorite Lowcountry specialty?

A John Daly - Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade

Caribbean Comfort {Wedding Inspiration}

Samantha Dockery is the Owner of Durham, North Carolina's Bliss by Sam.  She recently sent over this perfectly style shoot where she mixed a little bit of Southern Charm with a cool Caribbean theme at The Oaks at Salem in Apex, NC.  What I'm really loving about this shoot is that they haven't left one stone un-turned.  From the flowers and venue to the food and cake (can we please talk about how amazing that cake is!?), this is a completely cohesive event.  With my background being in catering, I'm a sucker for all things food. I feel like while catering is obviously an integral part of a wedding, it's often left out when telling the story.  But not here :)  Rocky Top Hospitality created a ridiculous Caribbean-inspired menu (are there any leftovers?) for the event that perfectly complimented the beautiful florals from Creative Touch Designs and the table layout from Bliss by Sam. The ah-mazing cake I've been drooling over was made by Sugarland, the rentals from Party Reflections and the talented Robin Lin was on hand to capture it all...Enjoy!

Vendors

designer: bliss by sam  /  caterer: rocky top hospitality  /  venue:  the oaks at salem  /  photographer: robin lin photography   /  florist: creative touch designs  /  rentals:  party reflections  /  cake: sugarland  /  stationery: maria scheel

Lowcountry Weddings {Catering}

Is it just me or does mini food taste better?  Bite sized hors d'Oeuvres are the perfect sized morsel to serve your guests during cocktail hour.  They'll leave your guests with a taste of Lowcountry cuisine and have them begging for more by the time the main course rolls around.   We've rounded up some of our favorite appetizers to kick off your wedding reception and even a few late night snacks.  Jazz up your menu by adding a few of these options and your guests will be raving about it for years to come!

Charleston Weddings {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 Charleston 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...

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'!

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