I'm in need of inspiration! If you were planning a tiny wedding somewhere in amongst the sands of California, Nevada or Arizona where would it be and what light but tasty and pretty food would you arrange for your guests?
For location - Sedona, AZ among the red rocks or at the Chapel, or Artist's Drive / Artist's Palette at Death Valley National Park (before April - too hot after that). Edited to add note that road is closed for repairs right now -- "Artists Drive: Will be closed from January 9, 2017 through March 16, 2017 for much needed flood repairs."
Fruit salad / fruit kabobs, caprese "salad" kabobs, finger sandwiches made with white/wheat bread stacked to give stripe effect - each made with 1 of 3 fillings: veggie, smoked salmon, sliced meat w/ chive cream cheese, champagne (as long as there is a designated driver...) ice cold water with cucumber or lemon or frozen strawberry suspended, mini-cheesecake bites or tiny cupcakes or tiny bundt cakes.
How tiny (how many guests), what time of day, and are they & bride & groom able/willing to walk or hike?
Second vote for Sedona! (one offline). I need to pursue this one.
I love Death Valley, but I'm not sure about the name of the place for a wedding, no matter how beautiful the colours of the rocks!
Maybe 10-15 people. Afternoon into evening. I really like your cucumber iced water idea actually. That is so refreshing and will go with the champagne. Makes me want Hendricks gin too.
Definitely up for walking and hiking :)
This photographer has 10 scenic Sedona spots, and the Indian Gardens Park location amenities looks like it would make life easy for whoever is doing meal prep, if this is a DIY. Advantage of cover, too, in case weather on the day is less than ideal. Other places listed would cater /pamper the couple & guests.
http://www.fromthedaisies.com/arizona...
Hardly delicate, but fun to contemplate
Guadalupe Dunes outside of Santa Maria are pretty stunning. My own favorite dune spot is the end of the Oso Flaco Lake boardwalk trail to the dunes and crashing wild oceans. Getting a Santa Maria BBQ catered would make this a central coast foodie classic: tri-tip, chicken, salsa, beans, french bread, macaroni salad and some Santa Ynez Valley wines. http://dunescenter.org/visit-the-dune...
Add the ethereal Toffee Crunch Cake from the Madonna Inn for the final course: https://www.madonnainn.com/bakery.php
Another gorgeous desert place is the Cathedral Rocks trail in Death Valley. Awesome background shots.
I really need to go back and explore Death Valley more. It was flooded when we went!
Make that the Red Cathedral Rocks on the Golden Canyon trail in (Death) Valley - that sounds a little better for a wedding. Add the famous date bread from the Furnace Creek Inn. No prettier place than the thermal pool and lush oasis gardens at the Inn.
The nice thing about (Death) Valley is that it is at least properly rural. Doesn't seem like the desert if we are standing by the same of a golf course :D
Date bread sounds amazing, might have to get some of that wedding or not!
How about this - no dunes, but what natural grandeur - Red Cathedral - Till (Death) do us part Valley:
https://www.hikespeak.com/img/DV/Gold...
Then a small reception at the Furnace Creek Inn, with a dip in the thermal pool at night under the wide open stars.
With such a small group you could do more fussy yet chic food, ideas assuming it's a stand/mingle/nibble style not full sit down meal:
- smoked salmon in cucumber cups
- individual crudite, like these with dip in the bottom
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/...
- shrimp cocktail
http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/all...
- Mini sandwiches on croissants
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/...
- if it's hot chilled gazpacho or cucumber soup in shot glasses
- any variety of deviled eggs, a perpetual crowd pleaser
- mushroom puff pastry bites
http://www.topinspired.com/wp-content...
**please please do NOT do your own food!! Hire a professional so you can focus on enjoying the moment
Congratulations!
Don't worry, I'm not planning to be cutting up sandwiches by the ride of the freeway :) But these are great ideas for what we can get arranged for us. I'm in half a mind for a picnic, sitting down but not formal.
If you do a sit down meal you could go with a salad nicoise which is both "light" and posh when made with good haricot vert, tuna, olives, etc. Side of crusty baguettes, goes well with bubbles.
Then apps could lean french with cups of vichyssoise, brie bites on crackers, crudite and dips, grougeres....
My in a pinch, last minute Warm Salad Nicoise:
1. Mix up a lemon-based, mustard vinaigrette with olive oil, thin with a little water or broth
2. Microwave lightly some frozen thin string beans
3. Slice the beans into smaller pieces and marinate in the vinaigrette
4. Micro-wave yukon-type potatos, cut into small pieces while still warm
5. Add capers, sliced kalamata olives, parsley, herbs and a sliced hard boil egg you might have
6. Toss vegetable vinaigrette carefully with the warm sliced/quartered potatoes
7. Fold in a can of drained chunk white tuna
So comforting, so speedy, so good with ready canned and frozen ingredients on hand.
Solar powered microwave?
(now when at home on the other hand..)
Well hopefully for the wedding the OP will find a caterer/restaurant to help that won't need your tips for shortcuts ;))
I love nicoise myself although i swap in chickpeas i toss in the dressing since i don't eat fish.
Seems like ever since the spanish and italian tuna packed in jars is more available this salad is showing up on more menus again
Romantic and quaint, Lon's Hermosa Inn or Sassi restaurant in Scottsdale, Scenic..FountainHills AZ, interesting and quirky Jerome, AZ, posh and stunning Scottsdale, AZ (locations abound... Royal Palms, Kierland, Gainey Ranch, The Boulders). Food would depend on the setting. Bruschetta with fig and goat cheese... Coconut Shrimp bites... fun signature cocktail like an Az Mule served in copper mugs... depends on your style!!
The first time I came to Sedona and saw the little chapel at Verde Valley School I thought that if I weren't already happily married, this would be the place to do it. There are, of course, many spectacular spots in and around Sedona. Heartline Cafe is a wonderful restaurant and caterer, even for very small events - lovely food and great to work with, knowledgeable of local resources.
I'd have it out on the Channel Islands - cold seafood towers - lots of champagne - a white cake with white chocolate mousse and strawberries or raspberries.
I know this isn't the desert but it could be considered sandy California …
To me the Channel Islands are Jersey and Guernsey :D I've just looked the California ones up. Very pretty. I think I'm set on desert though, red stones and green cacti - although I did get distracted yesterday by the white dunes of New Mexico's White Sands National Monument. Image how amazing a white cake would look in the photos somwhere like that!
I'll play with a bit of take off on some others suggestions:
Cool avocado soup in cucumber shot glasses.
Agua Fresca - a cucumber variety, maybe strawberry
Shrimp ceviche in romaine boats
Cherry tomatoes piped with hummus
Watermelon chunks on skewers with feta, mint and a kalamata olive
Strawberries piped with cheesecake filing
Tandoori chicken skewers with a yogurt sauce
First off I would do table settings with succulents with name tags
next would be food
California salad or mini fish tacos with avocado dressing.
Nevada Chateaubriand or las vegas shimp cocktail
Arizona loaded baked potato skins and grilled corn on the cob
App Ideas
Lettuce Wraps - I'm thinking it could be nice and light I know there are a bunch of recipes out there and I know coworkers love the ones from PF Changs. You could do an elevated idea of that.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Niman Ranch which started in San Fran sells USDA Certified ground lamb. and this meat ball recipe with cucumber dipping sauce or Tzasiki sauce is great. You can pair with hummus and pita as well.
https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/lam...
mini stuffed chili poppers - Seems like south west dessert food you can lighten them up by using cream cheese, a little cheddar and herbs as the filling and wrapping the halves in a piece of bacon, forgoing any other extreme things.
Shrimp cocktail as long as its able to be kept cool. reminds me of vegas
Salad Ideas
Cobb Salad
Or simple Caesar Salad
Mains
California Fish Tacos
Lemon Pepper rotisserie chicken
Simple beef or pork enchiladas.
Sides
Rice, Spring veggie, guacamole, sour cream, small red baked potatoes.
Dessert
This Pavlova.
Its easier than as wedding cake which the butter cream might melt. however be careful with transporting it since the meringue can fall.
https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/pav...
That pavlova looks so fresh! I don't actually like most buttercream (I really don't get it unless it is quite highly flavoured), so this is a nice idea. Thanks for the tip on where I can buy quality meat. I'm really fussy about sourcing meat and fish (ethics - or guilt) so it has to be high welfare.
Definitely Sedona! It would be an afternoon wedding. I'd serve fresh blood orange sangria, roasted green goddess chicken skewers with the reserved buttermilk dressing for dipping, cauliflower fritters, and cucumber salad with the reddest juiciest tomatoes I could find:)
:) Now I want sangria!
I'm trying to find the right type of wedding organiser in Sedona. We want a proper dessert ceremony, rather than in a venue..although I can admit to being swayed a bit by the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. The white dunes are amazing https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
Sedona is so pretty! Good Call
I would be married on top of the hill at Pepperdine - tho I am sure there are more beautiful locations and I would serve seafood appetizers and sushi (no scallops bacon) and sparkling wine. My cake would be a white cake with fresh fruit.
We really need to soon! It will likely be either Sedona with an outdoor wedding package (the kind of thing you have to get in a jeep or SUV for!) for the small group or White Sands National Park. I'm so torn!
The former likely native white wines, I loved the idea of blood orange juice somewhere and maybe fresh tacos.
h'orderves
Cantaloupe with ham
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cant...
Stuffed mushrooms
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...
Salad
Herb Salad With Feta and roasted red peppers
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/herb...
Entree
California Fish tacos with avocado
steak tacos with chimchuri sauuce
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