Citrus Crush ... Wrap it up

A citrus inspired theme brings to mind scrumptious treats for guests to bring home. Think homemade lemon bread loafs, jars of lemon curd or bottles of limoncello, finished with simple DIY gift tags. If you are not much of a chef, store brought items can easily be packed into basic gift boxes, and secured with pretty ribbons and fabric in hues of yellow and orange.

 Photo credit (clockwise from top left): Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, {Frolic!}, Style Me Pretty, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elizabeth Anne Designs

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Citrus Crush ... Summer Treats

Creating a menu with orange, yellow and white can be exciting, throw in a good mix of texture and taste and your guests will be asking for seconds. To up the colour quotient, opt for stripes or graphic prints on table linen and napkins. It will be a feast for the palate and the eyes.

Photo credit (clockwise from top left): Grey Likes Weddings, Martha Stewart, Style Me Pretty, Style Me Pretty,  Ruffled,  Martha Stewart Weddings, The Sweetest Occasion

Evening Pastels ... Desserts

If dessert is your kind of food, then pastels are your kind of colors. Desserts decorated in pastel colours are just so deliciously dreamy, all you will want to do is to plunge yourself into a full spread. 

Photo credit: (1st row) 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart Weddings, (2nd row) Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, (3rd row) Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, 100 Layer Cake

Winter White ... Snowing dessert

A decadent dessert spread in white, there's coconut flakes, marshmallows, icing sugar and white chocolate. Lovely.

Photo credit: All photos via Somewhere Splendid

Winter white ... Make it clear with drinks

Martha Stewart Weddings has an ingenius way to incorporate white into your drinks selection: Offer clear fruit brandies, served with rock candy. Drinks anyone?

Photo credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Cool Days ... Drink it up

Signature drinks are a great addition to a wedding, guests get to sample a concoction that reflects your tastes and it's a wonderful way of incorporating your wedding theme into the food. Can't decide on what cocktails to serve? Work with a bartender to come up with some great mixes, and invite the girls for a cocktail sampling bridal party. It'll be lots of fun. 

                                    Photo credit: 
                                             1. The signature mint cocktail via Guest of a Guest.
                                             2. Blue Lagoon via Inspired Style Weddings.
                                             3. Blue Mojito Splash via Roberts & Co Events.
                                             4. Bleau Bar Mint & chip cocktail via Delish

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Dessert time

The dessert table set up with a fuchsia backdrop and purple tablecloth can bring a beautiful Moroccan flair. Colour the desserts with fuchsia, purple and orange, then display them in wooden and brass trays. Morocan lamps add wonderful detail. I absolutely adore the rich colours. 

Photo credit: 15 best dessert table via The Pretty Blog

Glorious Picnic Fare

Pies and cakes, sandwiches and salads, pizzas and burgers, the food choices for a casual picnic reception are endless. Crank up the fun factor by offering an array of picnic-appropriate food that both of you love, coupled with a brief description of each. Salads and soups can be served in mason jars to avoid any spills and for easy handling while dining on the lawn. 

Photo credit: (Top row, left to right) Turkey caprese sandwich via Martha Stewart, Raspberry tart favor via Martha Stewart Weddings, Southwestern chicken wraps via Martha Stewart, (2nd row, left to right) Eggplant pasta salad via Real Simple, Tuna nicoise sandwich via Martha Stewart, Cherry fruit salad via Martha Stewart, (last row, left to right) Summer fruit sangria via Martha Stewart, Tomato mushroom pizza via Real Simple, Herbed pasta salad via Martha Stewart

Line the Cakes with Stripes

Inspired by stripes? Have your cakes decorated in the theme a well.

Photo credits: All of the above photos via Martha Stewart Weddings

And now for Desserts

Desserts are the perfect way to end the wedding reception. With so many types of sweet treats out there, we are really spoilt for choice. Think of all the souffles, cakes and pastries available in cafes and restaurants, all looking too good to be eaten. The presentation of the desserts are just as important as the food itself, setting the mood for the first bite into the sweetness. Having the desserts portioned into glasses and cups and shallow dishes make for an interesting look. Here are some pretty ideas to whet your appetite.

Photo Credit: All photos from Green Wedding Shoes Wedding Blog ( Desserts in a Dish)

If having western desserts seem too much a diversion from a classic Chinese dinner reception, it's a great idea to have the Chinese dessert presented in individual servings. Think a shot glass filled with layered yam and pumpkin paste topped with a drizzle of coconut cream, a small jar loaded with glutinuous rice balls topped with red bean cream and a sprinkle of gingko nuts, or a whisky glass packed with deconstructed egg tart topped with birds' nest or fruits compote.

Sweet Treats

There is a huge array of wedding favors available in the market when you are deciding what your guests should recieve, some are keepsakes while some are edibles for your guests to enjoy after the reception. If you are inclined to have your guests enjoy some sweet treats, why not think of what both of you enjoy?

Share your love for local kaya spread, mini jars of the fragrant and heartwarming spread will make perfect favors. For a personal touch, print a simple recipe, like french toast with kaya, onto cardstock and paste it onto the jar.

If fruity jams are the reason both of you look forward to breakfast every morning, assemble a small basket filled with mini jars of your favourite preserves and a few vanilla or corn muffins for each of your guests. They will be delighted to have breakfast already planned out for the morning after your reception.

Photo credit: Bite-sized Breakfast Basket via Martha Stewart Weddings