Keep it Cheesy and your rececption will be as GOUDA as it gets!

Cheese is definitely having a moment. Put this trend front and center at your reception with these ideas.

Grilled Cheese Bar

Talk to your caterers about a custom grilled cheese bar with different flavors of breads, spreads and cheeses. Choose melty cheeses like nutty Gruyere, sharp cheddar and gooey fontina. Next, consider the bread. Think sourdough, rye and other easily sliceable breads. You can also add a variety of fruits - apple is a great choice - herbs, aromatics - like sprigs of rosemary, bunches of fresh velvety sage or thyme, scattered peppercorns, etc. - veggies and more.

Macaroni & Cheese Bar

Similarly to the grilled cheese bar, this station combines different cheese sauces with your guests' choices of pasta and toppings. Pasta shapes to look at include macaroni, cavatappi, rotini or penne. Sauces can include a creamy alfredo, classic cheddar, Swiss and Gruyere, or blue cheese. For toppings, think about crispy bacon or pancetta, French fried onions, cool diced tomatoes - or adversely - stewed tomatoes, steamed broccoli, spicy jalapenos, various hot sauces, and chopped herbs.

A Literal Cheese Cake

Instead of a multi-tiered confectionary glory of a wedding cake, consider stacking up wheels and servings of cheese for an eye-catching and delicious wedding cake alternative. Garnish with fresh fruits and flowers. This is a great idea if either the bride or groom is gluten-free or low carb. Note: Make sure you precut your cake; those wheels can be really tough to cut.

Charcuterie Boards

Serve charcuterie boards or spreads at each table or at a giant table so guests can help themselves. Charcuterie is a French word that refers to a type of food preparation that focuses on prepared meats like bacon, ham, sausages, confit and more. These meats are often paired with complimentary cheeses, fruits, jams and more, on gorgeous boards for guests to enjoy.

Wine & Cheese

If your event space allows, consider hiring a sommelier for the evening to pair wines and cheeses for your guests to sample and enjoy.

Fondue

Although there are several variations, the word fondue primarily refers to a dish consisting of melted cheeses combined with wine, cognac or brandy. It's served communally, from a ceramic pot containing the cheese warmed from below to keep it melted, and enjoyed by dipping chunks of bread at the ends of long forks into the cheese and then eating them. Can you really go wrong dipping anything in cheese? From pretzels to tortillas to crackers to fruit and veggies and beyond, it really is "all good."

Favors

Pack up tiny bottles of your favorite vintages and mini wheels of cheese or little bags of cheese curds for your guests to take home. Or, if you prefer, pair up cheese and pretzels with different kinds of beer.