We’ve had the engagement dinner, planned the shower, enjoyed rehearsing for the big day and Voila! — it’s the day when vows are exchanged.

What to eat is always the big question so we spoke to Rosemary Carty at the Pegasus, Janice Bent at the Courtleigh and Nazene Little of the Hilton Kingston and we’re able to share with you some really great wedding menu options.

When deciding on your menu take the number of guests into consideration. Why? — if exotic plates are desired styling takes longer.

Exotic dishes are to be chosen only if the guests attending the event are appreciative of such foods — do not, for example, choose veal because it’s a favourite of yours — very few people like this meat.

Pork and seafood are both great — but do have another choice for guests who might either be allergic to crustacean or unable to eat pork because of religious reasons.

Indeed be creative. Options are to be encouraged, for rice and peas, chicken and plantains are enjoyed on a daily basis, so why would you serve this in the same manner? For example, spoon rice and peas into coconut half shells.

Stuffed chicken breasts, fish fillets, smoked marlin, jackfruit, Bombay mangoes, naseberries, green gungo and sorrel chutney. These are just some of the exotic fare available here in JA — be much more creative and insist that your wedding coordinators be flexible with wedding menus — trust me nothing is cast in stone.

Instead of rolls — how about fresh strips of hardo bread spread with garlic butter and toasted. Or fresh garlic bread dipped in seasoned olive oil.

Calaloo does not have to be chopped in the usual way — divide the strips and sauté lightly in olive oil.

Meat can be stuffed in a pumpkin, in cho cho, yam or in sweet potato.

Have guests lining up to congratulate you on your innovative choice of food on such a special day.

Stations of food have now become extremely popular again. Creativity again is a must. Have, for example, live pasta stations, dessert stations, a couple of areas for meat, cheese, fruit, starches, eg baked potatoes, creamed potatoes or potato strips. What your guests eat on your wedding day is just as memorable as the gown you’re wearing or your honeymoon destination.

Wedding menu options

Salad of mixed greens

— dressed in a basil vinaigrette

White wine granite

— to refresh the palate

Salmon Wellington

— fresh layers of salmon on a bed of mushroom puree encased in layers of puff pastry on a lemon and dill sauce served with scalloped potatoes, carrots and green bean bundles

White chocolate truffle cheesecake

— on a raspberry coulis

OR

Shrimp and mango cocktail

— with Marie rose sauce

Chicken consommé

— finished with sherry

Roast rack of lamb

— glazed with apple and mint jelly slow roasted to perfection, served with Panache of vegetables and Boulangere potatoes

Fresh pineapple rings

— marinated in Kirsh

Brunch suggestion:

Sugar-baked ham

Roast chicken

Roast breadfruit

Rice and peas

OR

Steamed fillet of snapper or ackee and salt fish

Jerked pork

Fried plantains

Johnny cakes

— served with Hilton Kingston bakery basket, fresh juices, coffee and tea

Lunch suggestion:

Mint flavoured melon soup (cold) or

Tomato and orange soup

Cajun seared pork loin with a tropical fruit sauce or

Marinated chicken breast charred with pineapple

Roast potatoes or rice and peas

Mountain vegetable medley

Apple strudel or

Fresh fruit salad with grated coconut

Brunch suggestion:

Assorted juices

Assorted tropical fruits

Assorted salads

Jerked chicken

Escoveitched fish

Steamed calaloo

Rice and peas

Gingerbread

Blue Mountain coffee

Assorted teas

Dinner suggestion:

Jerked chicken linguini

— breast of chicken grilled to perfection mounted on a bed of herbed linguini and jerk sauce

Seafood chowder

— seafood simmered in wine with vegetables and herbs

Salad a l’orange

— a refreshing salad with assorted lettuce tossed with and orange vinaigrette

Baked fillet of snapper

— with cheese and fresh herbs with a champagne sauce

Soca Jam

— strawberry kiwi mousse with almond coulis

— served with coffee/tea