Although we’re experiencing the first glimpses of a hot summer in Australia, the northern hemisphere is heading for the cold.

Here’s some warm foodie treats for winter weddings:

Photo from brides.com

Instead of sweet, light and tropical cocktails consider serving something that will warm chilly guests:

  • Hot chocolate
  • Mulled wine
  • Eggnog
  • Mocha sprinkled with chocolate shavings
  • Hot apple cider
  • White Hot Chocolate sprinkled with white chocolate curls
  • Chai Tea – add a cinnamon stick for stirring

Non-alcoholic or alcoholic – experiment and come up with your special version of an old favourite.

For a different touch, provide a hot chocolate or coffee bar with additions such as marshmallows, cream, sprinkles and flavour syrups for guests to create their own mix. Add a mini candy cane or stick of cinnamon for a special garnish.

Photo from brides.com

For food, consider small portions of your favourite winter foods during cocktail hour:

  • Shot glasses of pumpkin soup
  • Mini toasted cheese sandwiches
  • Mini baked potatoes topped with sour cream and bacon or prosciutto
  • Large baked pretzels
  • Roasted chestnuts or macadamia nuts in paper cones
  • Mini triangles of cinnamon toast
  • Macaroni & cheese in mini bowls

For the main course, go traditional!

Soups for starters, roasts (lamb, pork, chicken or turkey) for mains with plenty of mashed potatoes. Beef Wellington, Chateaubriand, baked earthy winter vegetables, trout with almond butter, steak with a red wine or peppercorn sauce.

Desserts should be warm and evoke memories of good times past – mini chocolate puddings or fondants, apple pies, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple crumble and sticky date pudding – all served with the best thick yellow cream or ice cream you can find!