Serve Shaved Fennel and Strawberry Salad At Your Picnic Wedding

Looking for a different salad to serve at a picnic wedding?  Why not try this take off on a classic form CHOW.  It features some of my favorite combos of strawberries and balsamic vinegar.  Here they are moved from a glam dessert to your salad course.  I love a creative salad at a wedding and a cool salad at a wedding is a must.  Add some shaved fennel, salty Pecorino Romano cheese and pine nuts and you have a Wow! combo.   Even if you aren't planning a picnic wedding this is a great salad for your wedding shower or any wedding.  Photo by Christine Gallery from CHOW. 

TIME/SERVINGS

Total: Under 5 mins
Active:
Makes: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons minced shallots
4 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 1/2 teaspoons champagne vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium head fennel, halved, cored, and cut crosswise into paper-thin slices
5 ounces baby arugula, washed and dried
1 pint strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, shaved into thin strips

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the shallots, both vinegars, the measured salt, and the pepper in a medium, nonreactive bowl.
While whisking constantly, slowly add the oil in a thin stream until fully incorporated, about 1
minute.

2. Place the fennel in a large bowl, season with salt, and stir to coat. Add the arugula,
strawberries, and pine nuts and gently toss to combine. Add the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Add the Pecorino Romano, tossing lightly (so as
not to break up the cheese) until just incorporated.

Visit CHOW for other great ideas for wedding recipes.

Happy Memorial Day!

Just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your cookouts or beach trips or the day at the pool. See you tomorrow! Nancy&Bill

DIY Lemonade Labels

Planning on serving lemonade at your wedding? Download these creative labels from 'I Do' It Yourself.  The labels are customized with your names and the date of your wedding.  The labels have a vintage look with an ingredient list that reads: "Ingredients for a happy marriage: love 25%, laughter 25%, friendship 25%, and fun 25%."  The PDF file for these labels have a vintage look and have designs for fresh lemonade, limeade and pink lemonade.  Visit their web site for more great DIY ideas for your wedding. 

Games at Your Wedding

Planning a picnic wedding? Consider adding some fun games for your guests to play duing the cocktail hour and beyond.  These games aren't just for kids anymore!  Try a variety of lawn games from croquet to cornhole (shown above). Photographer: Shyla Photography.  How do you play cornhole? Cornhole is similar to horseshoes.  You toss beanbags and try to get them through the hole or as close to the hole as possible on top of the board.  The photo above features the bride and groom's silhouettes with the hole above their heads. 

Photo Credit

Of course some brides prefer the tried and true croquet.  What guest didn't grow up playing this game?

Photo Credit

For the hardened croquet addict host your reception at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach.  It's the largest croquet center in the world so for the croquet addict it's the perfect reception venue!

Serving Food At Your Picnic Wedding

So you've decided to have a picnic wedding, some fancy sandwiches, salads, side dishes, but how are you going to serve your food?  One way is to pre-pack lunch bags like the one above.  These make it easy to transport food and give your guests a eco-friendly wedding favor. 

Some DIY experts could make their own patterns, but those of us with less expertise will love the directions and pattern available at Haberman Fabric's web site. Yet another easy DIY project brought to you by The Wedding Queen's DIY Weddings blog.




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High Heel Disaster Diverted!

If you're planning on having an outdoor ceremony or reception, or are even taking photos on the lawn, consider puchasing a pair of Clean Heels Heel Stoppers to protect your shoes from the inevitable sinking into the ground that happens when you wear a pair of high heels on the grass. 

These plastic heel protectors, some with a little bling added, not only protect your heels from dirt but keep them from sinking into the park lawn or the golf course where you are having you photos taken.  Thanks to Belle Divine brides no longer have to worry about sinking in the dirt!

Not Into Candy Buffets? Try This

Esther Kim -- My Bride Story had this fabulous idea for a fruit and veggie bar. I love the idea of a healthy alternative to a candy bar and the bright colors really draw the eye.

Add dips and smoothies to add more texture to the display. If you MUST have sweets add some chocolate to dip your fruit into. Photo Credits: Serena Grace.