When you’re planning a wedding, there are plenty of details to think about—and food is certainly an important one! But choosing your wedding menu isn’t just about deciding which dishes sound good on paper. It’s about imagining the experience your guests will have, from the first bite of hors d’oeuvres at cocktail-hour to the entrées that will be served during speeches.
That’s what makes a Grand Tasting at The Red Lion Inn so special. It’s more than a traditional wedding tasting, it’s an opportunity to step into the experience, taste your way through the menu, and start picturing what your own wedding day might feel like here at the Inn.
So, what exactly is a Grand Tasting?
Along with sampling a selection of our wedding menu offerings, couples can see the Barn beautifully styled, meet members of our team, connect with other couples, and get a feel for the care and attention that goes into a wedding at The Red Lion Inn.
A traditional tasting might answer the question, “Do we like this dish?”
A Grand Tasting lets you ask a bigger question: “Can we picture this as part of our wedding day?”
And that’s where the fun really begins…
It’s more than just tasting the food
Of course, the food is a big part of the experience. Grand Tastings give couples the chance to try a variety of hors d’oeuvres, entrées, desserts, and other menu options as they begin making decisions about their wedding day.
But there’s something different about tasting those dishes when you can also see how everything comes together.
A beautifully set table. Seasonal florals. The glow of the Barn. Music in the background. A cocktail or two to sample. A sweet treat waiting for dessert.
Suddenly, you’re not just choosing a menu. You’re imagining your guests sitting around those tables, celebrating with you.
You get to see the Barn in a whole new way
One of our favorite parts of a Grand Tasting is seeing the Barn transformed for the occasion.
For our August 2026 Grand Tasting, the Barn was decorated with seasonal rentals from Peak Event Services and Reverie Social, accompanied with gorgeous floral arrangements from Berkin Flowers. James Biller Lighting adorned the Barn with stunning disco balls. Amy Spirito Photography, Molly Media and Sky Breach captured all of these beautiful moments and delicious food, created by our on-site culinary team! Thynes Music and DJ Action Jackson kept the tunes going all day during the event. Montilio’s Bakery provided a sweet assortment of pastries for couples to sample, while Espresso Dave kept everyone caffeinated with homemade lattes, cappuccinos and more!
It’s one thing to look at photos while you’re planning. It’s another to walk into the space and see it styled for a celebration!
