Opinions on Paella

Ruby_Roo

I'm a veggie and I LURVE paella, but my only worry is that rice can dry out and a meal based mainly around rice would be pretty nasty if the rice wasn't kept tip top.

Could you have rice/wedges/jacket potatoes (plain rice could be kept in a rice cooker or something so it stays moist?) and 2 or 3 dishes such as chilli con carne, vegetable curry etc? For your sides/starters there are loads of options - poppadums, naan bread, garlic bread, focaccia, crusty bread (can you tell I LOVE bread!), samosas, bhajis etc.

I know a lot of people are saying they don't expect a choice - but as you said you want happily fed and watered guests and because of your venue choice you have the opportunity to make virtually everyone happy so if a bit of diversity is doable I think that's the way to go

FBaby

I wouldn't have considered a meal without a choice of at least two of all three courses. What's the point in paying quite a bit for a meal for everyone when there is a risk that quite a few don't like it at all? I rather pay a bit more with less risk of this happening or reduce the number of people attending the meal (and invite for the evening reception) instead.

I personally absolutely hate paella, so I wouldn't have even tried it, but I appreciate that it is not common for people to really hate it.

sazpot

It has been very interesting to read so many opinions and I am now very sure that just paella is definitely not an option.


I really liked the idea of something that was cooked in a dramatic way in front of everyone in a 'street food' kind of way.


I think I will look in to other options and see if I can offer 3 or 4 different meals and let everyone choose.


If I am not going to have a posh venue (a huge new grain barn is very hard to dress up!) I want to make the most of the relaxed venue instead of trying to make it into something it isn't. A 3 course sit down meal just doesn't feel right for the venue.


I am starting to wonder if there are other dishes cooked in a similar way we might be able to serve.


All suggestions are being considered and really appreciated!

Buzzybee90

FBaby wrote: »

I wouldn't have considered a meal without a choice of at least two of all three courses. What's the point in paying quite a bit for a meal for everyone when there is a risk that quite a few don't like it at all? I rather pay a bit more with less risk of this happening or reduce the number of people attending the meal (and invite for the evening reception) instead.

I personally absolutely hate paella, so I wouldn't have even tried it, but I appreciate that it is not common for people to really hate it.

Where are you from? Because a choice is certainly not usual.

FBaby

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

Where are you from? Because a choice is certainly not usual.

#
Really? I haven't been to many weddings, but only once was I not offered a choice (all in England). It was standard at our hotel (for an average price compared to other local hotels).

flea72

I dont know any wedding that offers a choice at £7/hd. Maybe when you pay £35+ a head, but again it would most likely be a roast or vegi choice. Not an unlimited, full restaurant menu.

If OP offered a choice between paella or curry (seeing as people seem to be afronted more by the lack of menu options) i would still assume those people would turn their noses up, as they just dont eat these types of food.

OP its your wedding, choose food you like to eat, at a price that suits your budget and dont worry about the negative comments

Spendless

As a child/teen/young adult in the 70s and 80s attending weddings of family members, giving a choice of menu was quite common. It's something I've seen less often in recent years, though once or twice the meal has been carvery, so it's still a choice, just not in a tick the box in advance and send it back with your rsvp.

Also common when I was a child were cold buffets, for keeping costs low. There were either served on a long table and the bride and groom got up first, or on assorted plates on the various tables.

Buzzybee90

FBaby wrote: »

#
Really? I haven't been to many weddings, but only once was I not offered a choice (all in England). It was standard at our hotel (for an average price compared to other local hotels).

I've worked at about 50 weddings (not for the same company) and never a choice. Nor any I've attended as a guest? Wonder if it's regional or just a coincidence?

FBaby

Then maybe we were very lucky. I can't remember the price per headcount, it wasn't £35, but of course, not £7 either!

We had a choice out of the menu, ie. we had a meal before and picked which two to offer on our special out of the whole menu (for starters, main and deserts). We actually had three choices as main as the vegetarian was in addition (started with only two people on the party, but then became 5!).

To be fair, we were massively impressed with the entire service we got from that hotel. We received a very personal service, with many things added at no extra cost (such as as long as were happy with their flower of choice on the table, it was not additional cost, and then they picked the flowers to match our colour scheme). Another special touch was when we were trying to assess how much to order for the evening buffet and they said that if we ran out, they would be very happy to make up some sandwishes and other bits at no extra cost again.

In the end, it's all about choice. For us, providing a high quality meal was a big priority. My wedding dress cost just over £100 (but didn't look so!), my bouquet was an arrangement between tesco flowers and those from the garden, I decorated the cake myself, invitations were homemade etc...

bellakitten

I love Paella, and think it's such a simple yet effective idea.