Weddings are stressful. There’s no denying it takes a lot of effort to pull one off, no matter how many people you have helping out. All you want to do is sit down and relax with your family and friends and chill. Especially the night before. You want to have a calm evening before your wedding day. The last thing you need is a big, fancy dinner party after the rehearsal adding to your stress levels.
You’d rather relax in the grass at a park with a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, right? Well, you can easily do just that with these awesome dinner boxes. Fill them with your favorite picnic foods a day or two before and they will still be delicious by the rehearsal dinner.
Of course, typical picnic foods are best, because they tend to last longer out of a refrigerator. You can throw these items together up to a couple of days before the dinner and store in the fridge in small containers or you can fill the boxes themselves and store those in the fridge for an even easier dinner.
For sides, think light and refreshing foods:
For sides, think light and refreshing foods:
- Crackers
- Cherries
- Berries
- Grapes
- Applesauce cups
- Sliced veggies
- Potato chips
- Watermelon cucumber salad
- Salad on a skewer
Souce: Fruit Salad, Watermelon Cucumber Salad
For the main course, you’ll want something easy to eat, prepare, and store:
- Smoked meats and cheese
- Finger sandwiches
- Wraps
- Grilled chicken salad
Source: Caprese Sandwiches, Chicken Salad
Don’t forget dessert! Again, something easy to store and eat is ideal:
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Cake
- Cheesecake
- Gummy candies
Source: Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Cheesecake
The best thing about all of these dishes? They are so easy. Not to mention they are sure to impress your guests and, depending on your packaging, there is net to no clean up required!
The Drinks
Drinks can be served from a glass pitcher or in personalized cups with lids or even mason jars with cute, custom labels. If it’s a warm day, you’ll just need to make sure you have ice available.
- Lemonade
- Cocktails
- Punch
- Wine
- Beer
Get Fancy, the Easy Way
A simple way to wow your guests (other than with these fun personalized boxes and delicious, effortless dinners) is to pick the perfect drinks to complement your food.
Dish: Smoked meat (such as summer sausage) and hard cheeses
Wine: A medium-sweet Rosé with hints of berries and a marked acidity
Beer: Kolsch
Dish: Grilled chicken salad or wrap
Wine: A Chardonnay with strong nectarine and white peach flavors or a rich Pinot Gris
Beer: Hefeweizen (or a wheat beer)
Dish: Caprese sandwiches
Wine: a crisp Verdicchio or a dry Rosé
Beer: A light lager
Dish: Berries/fruit salads
Wine: Moscato d’Asti
Beer: Kolsch or a Belgian Wheat Ale
Dish: Fresh vegetables
Wine: A California Cabernet or a Malbec
Beer: A Pale Ale
Dessert: Chocolate-based
Wine: Port or Pinot Noir or Shiraz
Beer: A Stout, particularly an Imperial Stout
You can set out display cards next to each food dish recommending a specific drink if you’re serving multiples of both. You could even have a “his and hers” drink choice for each dish to give your guests multiple options for pairings.
Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.
