Menu - Opinions Needed

Heather, are you the bride getting married in NH by any chance? If so, I remember a little of your previous post. I don't think anyone is trying to make you feel bad, but to let it be a warning to other brides and grooms that you need this all spelled out. Usually, meal choices are part of the cost of catering so they would be included in the contract. But if it's not, brides and grooms need to ask before signing anything how many meal choices guests get and whether duet plates are available. The fact that they didn't want to put together the menu in March is completely different. If you know how many selections you get and what the options are, the menu can be put together later. We didn't make our final menu selections until two weeks out, but we knew guests would get a choice of chicken, beef, or veggie and we knew what the choices were for each.

I think game hens are a cool idea. With the right menu they can be sophisticated and not dated. The bones maybe a little difficult but not unmanageable. I would do the tasting and then decide if possible. Poultry is a safe bet for a protein. A stuffed breast is also a crowd pleaser as well and can be very updated and not boring far all with the right pairings.

I have been to MANY weddings where there was only one entree (with the exception of accommodations for vegetarians and allergies) and they were fine. Usually chicken is the go-to when everyone is getting the same plate. I think the hens can work. They are something different from a standard chicken breast but still chicken so a "safe" choice. They are JUST chicken. They are not some mysterious game bird for the people that are confused.

And I don't think they are too messy. At a wedding, everyone would eat them with a fork and knife.

I like Cornish hens, but I wouldn't pick it for a wedding. I would much rather have a stuffed chicken breast, chicken piccata, or something similar. If the chef is great she should be able to come up with a delicious dish including a chicken breast that is easy to eat.

Chicken picatta. Everyone will eat lemon chicken

Chicken marsala. Everyone will eat it.

No tiny chickens on the plate. It sounds weird but it feels kinda morbid.....lolol.....

I second the chicken picatta idea. We served chicken picatta at our rehearsal dinner and people loved it. I kind of wish we'd chosen it for the reception.

In a formal setting, that would be perfectly fine. I mean, ribs in a formal setting would make me uncomfortable, but your menu sounds just fine. You know you and your guests. I personally think it sounds nice

@elizabeth I am getting married in Tennessee, not New Hampshire, but it's crazy that someone is having similar venue issues! I am going to go back to the chef and ask her what her favorite chicken dish to cook is. Hopefully that will result in a crowd pleaser.