A Sushi Wedding

Forget the usual canapes. Pass on pigs in a blanket and puff pastry. When it comes to planning the wedding day menu, today's brides and grooms are all about the exotic.

A big trend in nuptial dining is having a sushi bar for reception guests. Often arriving with a special chef, the sushi bar option at weddings is all the rage right now, but comes with special concerns and pitfalls. When planning your wedding it's a good idea to consider this option carefully.

Many trendy couples are opting for the sushi bar as an adjunct to traditional fare or served during cocktail hour only. Still others are creating their entire menu around this as the main entree. Naturally, how much or how little sushi is served will be a matter of personal choice. Keep in mind, however, that greater volume often means premade sushi and can result in a decline in quality and freshness.

In status-conscious, trend-setting California, Kamiyama Sushi (www.kamiyamasushi.com) is growing in catering popularity and reputation. They're hugely popular for creating both corporate and wedding sushi spreads, including chef Travis Kamiyama signature Piranha, Krunch and Goliath rolls.

More elaborate set-ups include the use of refrigerated cases with labeled sushi, allowing for guaranteed freshness and wedding guests to make more knowledgeable choices.

Full menus are taking on Asian themes, as well. From miso soup for an appetizer to tempura entrees and green tea for refreshment, the fresh, light touch of these non-traditional menu offerings are perfect for summer weddings.

It's not just the wedding day menu benefitting from exotic, spicy Asian touches. Another big trend is the Asian theme wedding. Again, starting on both coasts in the US and gaining popularity with the middle states, Asian decor is becoming a fast favorite. Bamboo in pottery bowls adorn guest tables, while lighting is provided by paper lanters. Live fish in fishbowls filled with white or black stones are also a popular choice for table centerpieces. Oriental garden lampposts, available through party suppliers online (http://www.shindigz.com) can be placed around the room along with paper fans to bring the design full circle.

Guests can receive their cakes in chinese takeout boxes and chopsticks with or without the couple's names can be given away as favors. Along with more traditional dessert, couples planning their weddings with an Asian theme are trending towards fortune cookies for dessert or, lacquered in gold and spread around table centerpieces for decoration.

Whether through the addition of merely a sushi bar or through coordinated menus, decor and favors, Asian themes in weddings are becoming a fast favorite on all continents.