Serving international cuisine gives you the opportunity to share your past as you celebrate your future. Plus, most guests will appreciate the chance to try something new. If you each come from different cultural backgrounds, this may be a perfect opportunity to blend your heritages; the main dish may be Italian, while the salad may be Greek. When serving uncommon dishes, provide a menu on the table describing the entrees or have a family member explain each dish to your guests.

Not only can ethnic cuisine make your reception more personalized and unique, it may save some cash, too. Many ethnic foods are less expensive than the typical menu items. For example, Chinese dishes are often less because they contain a larger portion of vegetables than meat.

The entire menu can be ethnic, or just an item or two such as the hors d’oeuvres or dessert. If you are just serving one or two dishes, display the items on a special table decorated in the cultural theme. You may want to let your family know that you are honoring their traditions in advance; they will most certainly be touched. Aunt Mary may even enjoy bringing a dish to share, such as a batch of krumkake (a cone-shaped Norwegian cookie).

Finding a caterer who has experience preparing the particular foods you would like to serve may be easier said than done. Begin the quest for a caterer early in the planning process to ensure that you are able to find someone who can expertly prepare your special meal.

You don’t necessarily need to choose heritage that is your own. There are a number of ethnic foods to choose from: Chinese, Greek, Italian, Mexican, Moroccan, Norwegian and Indian, to name a few. Narrow down your choices; perhaps you went out for Chinese on your first date or maybe Italian is your favorite comfort food. Choose whatever cuisine appeals to you both.

An ethnicity may serve as the underlining theme for the entire event. The invitations, colors, decorations, music and other details may be inspired by this culture. Perhaps the children can even be entertained with a cultural game. No matter how far you take the theme, celebrating your cultural background is an ideal way to celebrate your union with your family and friends.

Providing a snack is a great way to put an unexpected final touch on a perfect day. Whether it is simple or extravagant, it is sure to be appreciated by your guests – and will make your event memorable and unique. Here are a few tips for planning an evening snack.

Have fun when planning this mini-meal. The food can be catered or a do-it-yourself feast. It can be a super casual spread or a unique gourmet treat. It is a perfect place to incorporate your personalities. If you both love caramel popcorn and milkshakes, serve it! Some other food ideas are: sandwiches, pizza, mini-burgers, crackers & cheese, pretzels & dip, chips & salsa, fruit & dip, chocolate chip cookies & milk, and ice cream sundae stations.

Provide beverages. In addition to food, provide non-alcoholic drinks such as soda, punch, or virgin cocktails. Guests who will be driving home after the festivities may choose to stop drinking alcoholic drinks at this time.

Offer doggie bags for guests. Provide a way for your guests to take leftovers back to their hotel rooms. This will be particularly appreciated by guests who may need to leave the reception early with children.

Let your reception hall know about the snack. The hall may provide dishes and napkins at no additional charge. They may also have special requests for when or where the snack is served.

Arrange to have someone serve and clean-up. Your reception hall may be responsible for cleaning the facility after the event, but this should not include the snack unless otherwise agreed upon. Ask a close family member or friend to take care of the details for you.