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Customized Pizza Ideas For Wedding Receptions

If you and your spouse-to-be are both crazy about pizza, you can incorporate it into your wedding reception menu in a number of fun, delicious ways. Pizza is a crowd-pleaser that people of all age groups can agree on, so your guests are sure to enjoy or dinner selections as well. 

While pizza is typically seen as a casual food, it can easily become a gourmet meal when prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Pizza is also simple to customize, so you can ask the caterers to make pies that accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. For instance, be sure to provide a few vegetarian and gluten-free options to please all of the reception attendees. 

Since traditional reception fare includes items such as roast beef, shrimp and chicken, consider incorporating these items into your pizza menu as a whimsical take on the classics. You can have the savory pies served on elegant dishware, or go for a more relaxed touch with sturdy, decorative paper plates that coordinate with the overall theme of the reception. 

Here are some customized pizza ideas to consider for your big day:

1. Build-Your-Own-Pizza Bar

Allow your guests to create the individual meal of their dreams by setting up a build-your-own pizza bar. Provide at least one pre-made crust for each guest, as well as English muffin haves for the youngsters, shredded mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

Gourmet toppings include prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and grilled shrimp or steak strips. Offer up plenty of classics toppings, including pepperoni, sausage, anchovies, green peppers, mushrooms and onions, as well. 

Make sure you have enough pizza ovens to accommodate all of your guests to prevent a long wait time at the end of the line. You can also grill the pizza over an open fire if it's an outdoor reception.

2. Slices To Go

At the end of the evening, send guests home with slices of pizza in personalized to-go boxes as favors. Offer them a choice of either the bride's or groom's favorite type of pie, or one of each if you have enough. 

Have the couple's names and wedding date printed on the boxes as a specialized touch. 

3. Pizza Cake

Another surprising-yet-delicious way to incorporate your favorite food into your reception is with a pizza "cake." Have the caterer prepare two or three tiers of pizza on elegant-looking trays if you and your spouse prefer savory or sweet foods.

You can also have a cake made to resemble a pizza using fondant and other decorative techniques.