Our Favorite Wedding Menu Ideas
- Traveling Seafood Station. Create an exciting interactive experience for your guests with a traveling seafood station. ...
- Wood-Fired Pizza. Rustic wedding couples, this one is for you. ...
- Comfort Food Shooters. Comfort food, but make it elegant. ...
- Dessert Truck. ...
- Dim Sum. ...
- Sushi Station. ...
- Fast Food. ...
- Picnic Basket Meal. ...
- Build-Your-Own-Brunch-Bowl. ...
- Charcuterie in a Cup. ...
Full Answer
What is the best menu for a wedding?
Wedding Buffet Ideas
- Brunch Bar. Whether your wedding is happening earlier in the day or you and your sweetie are big fans of brinner (breakfast for dinner), a brunch spread is sure ...
- Popcorn Table. Serve this classic snack with a twist during your cocktail hour or as a late-night snack. ...
- Ice Cream Bar. ...
- Waffle Table. ...
- Pizza Platter. ...
- Taco Table. ...
- Donut Station. ...
- Salad Bar. ...
How to make a wedding menu?
“Start with a clear budget for each item you’ll need to spend on for your wedding based on what is most important to the two of you, as well as having an overall figure to aim for,” she says. “This should help you track your spending on individual items without getting carried away.
How to pick your wedding menu?
- Are you going to use a caterer or what’s offered on-location? ...
- Figure out your guests’ preferences way in advance. This is important not only in terms of their dietary preferences but also for their potential allergies. ...
- The more choices you can offer – the better. ...
- Try not to skimp on the size of the portions. ...
How to plan a wedding menu?
Ahead, our experts dive in and share everything you need to know about planning a wedding on the water ... Smaller yachts will usually only be able to accommodate a drop-off menu. Keep in mind, too, that you’ll also be limited to the number of guests ...
What is the best menu for wedding?
Wedding Entree IdeasSteak and Salad. Source: Fannetastic Food. ... Kebabs. Source: Midwest Foodie. ... Fried Chicken. Source: Spicepaw. ... Shrimp. This seafood favorite can be paired with various sides to create the perfect wedding plate any time of the year. ... Salmon. Fish has been a wedding classic for years. ... Steak. ... Lobster. ... Lasagna.More items...
What is the typical wedding menu?
Traditional American Wedding MenuClassic Shrimp Cocktail. Fresh Lemon & Cocktail Sauce.Hot Artichoke & Red Pepper Dip. 4 Cheeses Dip with Fresh Bread.Deviled Eggs. Dijon, Paprika & Parsley. ... Green Garden Salad. ... Roasted Prime Rib. ... Grilled Chicken Americana. ... Creamy Whipped Potatoes.Sunburst Vegetable Medley.
What is the most popular meal at a wedding?
“Chicken, beef, and fish are the most commonly served main course items as they can maintain their heat when served to large groups and all work well with sauces,” says Strauss. So, don't go wild and ask your caterer for more obscure meats like quail, rabbit, duck, rack of lamb, or pork chops.
How do I make my own wedding menu?
2:518:19Make Your Own Menu Cards & Save | DIY Wedding Decor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou are going to need a ruler. And a pencil for this project you are going to need a laptop or aMoreYou are going to need a ruler. And a pencil for this project you are going to need a laptop or a computer. And you're definitely going to need Microsoft Word in order to type in your menu.
What should you not serve at a wedding?
8 Foods NOT to Serve at Your WeddingAll meat, all the time. If you're a meat lover, it might be tempting to serve nothing but meat at your reception. ... Food that requires a big to-do. ... Raw food. ... Mini versions of everything. ... An eight-course meal. ... Overly complex dishes. ... Only exotic eats. ... Typical wedding foods.
What is the best veg menu for a wedding?
VegetablesMAKAI KHUMB MASALA. Baby corn & mushrooms cooked in creamy sauce.BHARVAN MIRCH. Stuffed banana peppers with choice of cottage cheese or vegetables.METHI MALAI MATTAR. Fenugreek leaves & green peas cooked in creamy sauce.MUSHROOM MATTAR. ... VEGETABLE JALFREZI. ... PANCHMEL KADAI. ... SARSON KA SAAG. ... BAGARE BAINGAN.More items...
How many food options should you have at a wedding?
Generally, you'll choose between two to three different options for each course. It's recommended that you choose between a variety of proteins like chicken, beef or fish to appeal to the tastes of your guests, along with an alternative option for those with dietary requirements.
What do you serve at an afternoon wedding reception?
One great option for early afternoon weddings are finger foods and/or passed hors d'oeuvres alongside beverages or cocktails. Some food ideas include kabobs, bruschetta, specialty cheeses, and deviled eggs. Consider small plates of crab cakes, oysters, and shrimp if you're a seafood lover.
How many entrees should you have at a wedding?
“Typically, couples do a first course and entreé here,” says Parragué. “We like to do something a little different and have the couples select one first course and one entrée for all guests, plus there's always a silent vegan/vegetarian option. It's a nice guest experience.
How can I make a homemade menu?
How to Make a Restaurant MenuWrite Out all Menu Items. Before you dive into design, you have to learn to write a restaurant menu. ... Categorize Menu Items. ... Set Menu Prices. ... Create Menu Descriptions. ... Decide on a Menu Color Scheme. ... Design Your Restaurant Menu. ... Restaurant Menu Photos. ... Choose Menu Fonts, Spacing, and Composition.More items...
What do you put on the back of a wedding menu?
As a rule of thumb, you can include up to four things on your wedding menu: a list of the dishes served, the main ingredients on the dish, a welcome/thank you message to your guests, and your names and the wedding date.
How would you cater for 100 guests on a budget?
Wedding Menu- 5 Lunch ideas to feed up to 100 people for under $250Pizza and Breadsticks. Nothing could be simpler than pizza and breadsticks for a lunchtime reception- and you don;t even have to cook it! ... Tacos, Rice and Beans. ... Pasta and Bread. ... Burgers and Fries. ... Sub Sandwich Bar.
What desserts are used for weddings?
Traditionally wedding cakes and cupcakes are used as wedding desserts; however, if you want to include some out-of-the-box desserts in your wedding, here are some great ideas. 36. Swiss Pastries. If you want your guests to remember the dessert they had at your party, choose a Swiss pastry.
What is a salad bar?
A salad bar is a fantastic wedding buffet idea, especially for your veggie guests. All you have to do is arrange for all the base ingredients and some exciting dressings and toppings such as fruits, vegetables, etc. Also See: Healthy Wedding Food Menu Ideas.
Can you tailor your wedding menu?
Of course, you can tailor your wedding menu to your preferences. However, it is always a good idea to discuss your food preferences with your caterer ahead of time. As a result, you will have a great wedding food menu and a stress-free wedding preparation. Happy Wedding….
What is a plated dinner?
The most traditional reception style, a plated meal is what the majority of couples choose. This is when all the guests are seated and served a formal dinner. Typically, it consists of two courses (an appetizer and an entrée), plus dessert if it’s served tableside. Everyone is usually served the same appetizer and then the main course is handled ...
What is a cocktail reception?
A cocktail-style reception means no seating charts, no tablescape fuss… none of that. Instead, you and your guests can mix, mingle, and dance all night long and snack on small bites (either tray-passed or laid out on a grazing table in advance) whenever you feel like it.
Why is a reception meal good?
It makes the reception meal feel more casual and laid-back. It's good for community building—when people are passing the food around their tables, they chat and engage with each other.
What is a station in a buffet?
Stations are very similar to buffets in that they give your guests a nice variety of food options. Stations typically have tables or areas specifically dedicated to certain dishes or types of foods. These are often more interactive and involved than a help-yourself buffet, so you will need people to staff these stations.
What is buffet style?
A buffet features long tables topped with a wide variety of food options. This meal style offers the most variety for your guests, making it particularly desirable if you want a wide range of cuisines or have picky eaters.
What is family style meal?
A family-style meal is exactly as it sounds: Everyone is seated as big platters and bowls of food are passed around the table, just like you might do with your own family at home. This is a great option if you want to keep people seated at tables but don’t want something as formal as a plated meal. The first course is typically served with about one or two options and the main course includes as few as a protein and two sides or multiple proteins with multiple sides.
How much more to pay for plated dinner?
Expect to pay 10 to 30 percent more than a plated dinner since you will likely have more menu items and less control over how much people eat, according to Parragué. You absolutely don’t want to run out of food, so always order more than enough here.
What to serve at a wedding brunch?
Host a brunch wedding or serve breakfast for dinner. Include pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon and any other morning munchies you love. Pair it with an espresso martini, mimosa or a Bloody Mary for a boozy brunch vibe.
What is dim sum at a wedding?
Whether the traditional Chinese meal is a nod to your cultural background, your love of travel or your personal taste in food, it's bound to be a hit at your wedding. Dim Sum typically consists of a variety of different dishes your guests can sample and choose from.
What to serve with caprese salad?
We love this inventive spin on traditional Caprese salad. Rather than serving it on a plate, place mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and balsamic on a skewer for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour.
What is the biggest dinner trend?
The biggest dinner trend we're seeing right now? Interactive stations. Couples are moving away from a sit-down three- or four-course dinner where the food is brought to guests by waitstaff, and instead, having passed hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hours or self-serve food stations. Guests still have the opportunity to sit down and enjoy their meal, but there's less table-time and more mingling time.
Can you have green salad at a wedding?
Green salads at weddings don't have to be boring. Work with your caterer to create a colorful mix of veggies that will entice your guests and keep them satisfied until the main course. Bonus points for tying the colors into your wedding's color palette!
Can couples have individually wrapped meals?
Due to the pandemic, many couples are offering individually wrapped meals at their nuptials too. Rather than passing plates or bites, couples are offering pre-packaged meals for each guest, creating a personalized and COVID-conscious experience. Serve up all of your courses in a decorative box or picnic basket.
Tips On How To Choose The Menu For Wedding Reception Food
Before you get carried away with your favorite dishes, you’ll need to figure out what makes financial sense for your wedding budget. Food gets expensive, so hopefully, without having to resort to fried chicken for the mains, you need to determine if you can afford to have filet mignon on your wedding menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
For US weddings, the usual flow of the reception is as follows. After cocktail hour, the bridal party including the bride and groom will be announced into the banqueting hall for dinner. Next, there might be the first dance and then dinner will be served.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read through these tips about how to choose the menu for wedding reception food, you’ll hopefully be a little wiser when selecting a catering company.
Delicious Wedding Food Ideas
Here are 27 different wedding food ideas that you can use at your wedding reception to make the meal even more memorable.
How To Choose a Wedding Reception Menu
Choosing the wedding reception food will require some brainstorming of ideas first. However, before you make too many decisions consult your venue about catering to see if they need catering to be done in-house or allow an outside business to step in.
Final Thoughts
Planning the menu for your wedding is important – you want your guests to be well-fed and satisfied! Use these wedding menu ideas as inspiration for your wedding food, whether you opt for a few main meals with cocktail hour appetizers or for tapas-style stations.
Everyone will be asking for seconds
Molly Allen is now a freelance writer focused in lifestyle, travel, food and beverage.
Sushi Bar
Sushi. Bar. Need we say more? Work with your caterer to set up a gorgeous, refreshing option everyone will love.
Caprese Skewers
Nothing screams summer like bright tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic. Caprese skewers offer a great, filling option without weighing down your guests.
Salmon Entrée
If you’re opting for a sit-down dinner, consider fresh, light options for your main course such as salmon or grilled chicken. Use the dish as a base to incorporate summer flavors like lemon or roasted red pepper.
Fresh Flatbread
Thinking about doing a spread of pizzas but worried it might be too heavy? A simple flatbread with prosciutto, greens, and lemon can be a great, lighter alternative.
Bright Berry Cups
Fresh berries are the perfect touch for warm weather. Opt for bright fruit cups with a mixture of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries to capture the flavors of the season.
Seafood Bar
Nothing says summer like fresh seafood. Set up delicious, light options with an array of sauces for a fun, interactive station.
Offer options
Keep in mind that your wedding menu should reflect your tastes and preferences, not cater solely to them—after all, your wedding food is more or less a gift to your guests to thank them for taking the time to come celebrate you and your partner.
Stay grounded
Maybe you and your partner are total foodies, but that doesn’t mean that your whole wedding menu should be made up of items no one on your guest list has never heard of before. Besides celebrating love, people go to weddings for two things: food and fun (“fun” being the open bar, usually…).
Be realistic about timing
Love the idea of a super-late dinner? Or a super drawn-out one that takes up most of your reception? Maybe you want food to be the main event because you and your partner love food as much as you love one another (or, almost as much), but it’s important to be thoughtful and courteous of your guests when it comes to figuring out the scheduling of your cocktail hour and meal.
Make the wedding reception food fit the mood
So, you were dying to have a ballroom wedding, but you’re also dying to have a pizza truck cater it. My first piece of advice is “do whatever you want,” but if you’re really concerned with guest experience, it may behoove you to try and make the fare match the venue a little more closely.
Set the right scene
A quick anecdote for this one—my now-husband and I devised an amazing wedding menu with our caterer that I’m still proud of a year out from our wedding (maybe I should move on? I dunno). I felt it fit our personalities perfectly, and our rustic venue, too—there was a local salad, fried chicken, tomato pie, and more.
Cocktail Hour
Premium Open Bar throughout Your Affair Upon Arrival Your Guests will be greeted with the Bride and Grooms Signature Drinks As well as Kir Royale, Champagne with Strawberries and Mimosas
Cold Displays
Surrounded with the following Cold Displays created by our Garde Manager Chef
Salumeria
Imported Sopressata, Genoa Salami, Prosciutto di Parma Tower Imported Olives, Fresh Figs wrapped in Prosciutto (Seasonal) Fresh Mozzarella in a Variety of Styles Polenta al Gorgonzola
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