If you live a healthy and active lifestyle, there is no reason that your wedding should not reflect that. Especially when it comes to the menu, you have the opportunity to share your way of life with your guests. This is how to serve healthy and delicious food at your wedding that your guests will enjoy.

At many weddings, there is a lot of food, and while it is often good tasting, rarely is is all that good for you. Heavy sauces, big pieces of beef, and sugar-laden cakes are the norm. This is not to say that one shouldn't feel free to indulge on special occasions, but there is an alternative that doesn't sacrifice on taste. Healthier menu options are available, as long as you find the right caterer.

The food at your reception should reflect the overall style and tone of your wedding. For example, if you are having a formal ballroom wedding, in which the bride will be wearing a handcrafted bridal gown with opulent jewelry, the dinner should be equally elegant both in terms of the dishes and the presentation. On the other hand, a casual beachside reception where the bride will be wafting around in a breezy chiffon dress with beachy handcrafted bridal jewelry should be just as laid back when it comes to the menu.

One of the simplest ways to keep your menu healthy is to choose organic and locally grown foods whenever possible. You will be aided in this mission by selecting a menu of dishes that are in season. The ingredients will be easier to source locally, and they will also be at the peak of their natural flavor. When you are serving organic berries bursting with flavor or ripe summer tomatoes, very little is needed to bring out their best.

Preparation will also make a difference in how healthy your menu can be. If your venue has the facilities, it would be wonderful to have chicken, beef, or fish cooked over a wood-fire. It is a delicious and light way of preparing the meat course, and much fresher than a dish such as chicken poached in a heavy cream sauce. If grilling is not an option at your site, ask the chef what other methods of light cooking they can suggest. It could even be a change as simple as substituting olive oil for butter when making a dish.

Certain types of ethnic food can be a great inspiration for a wedding dinner that is both healthy and delicious. Asian cuisine, in particular, offers many great options for light dishes that are flavorful and elegant. Sushi is one idea. Your guests will be wowed if you bring in a genuine sushi chef who can prepare all the varieties to order. This could work as the main course for a smaller wedding, or as a special station during the cocktail hour for a larger affair. Mediterranean food also has some fantastic healthy dishes created with fresh seafood or poultry, olives, lemons, artichokes, and the like.

Finally, there is the wedding cake to be considered. Of course, when your entire menu is light and healthy, you could simply decide to indulge with a traditional rich cake. But if you prefer to keep it a bit less heavy, think about serving lovely fresh fruit tarts as an alternative to cake. They are delicious, beautiful, and original.

So you see, you can have it all. Wedding food can be healthy while still being festive and mouthwatering. Just think, after enjoying a light and delicious dinner, your guests will be feeling energetic enough to dance the night away at your reception.