The return of opulence on the runways can only mean one thing on the dinner plate – French food. But today’s French food is not the heavy, over-sauced affair of yesterday but homage to fresh and simple cuisine. To incorporate the French style into your wedding menu, consider a multi-course meal starting with a rustic pate followed by fresh, seasonal seafood done simply in a beurre blanc sauce. The third course can be a salad, as the French do, followed by a cheese plate. Cheese plates have been seen at more and more weddings, just as they are on restaurant menus.

If you want to add luxury to your menu but budget is an issue, opt to include just a few well-placed high-end items on your menu. A small slice of tenderloin on an hors d’oeuvre or a dollop of caviar can go a long way to setting the stage. And for a closing act, choose a dessert that is over-the-top in style but not cost.

Finally, consider adding the element of the exotic. Just as in fashion, mixing and matching opposing styles can turn a good meal into a memorable one. Consider a blend of the seasonings of Asia with the stews of France, the pasta of Italy with the lemongrass and peanuts of Thailand or even the olives of the Mediterranean with the seafood of New England. Playing with our food is not only acceptable, but important to creating a wedding menu in step with the times.