wedding food menu

Full Answer

Tiered Vegetable Station

• Wedding menu planning can be difficult and the food is a big part of it.
• INSIDER asked 13 chefs from across the US for their dish recommendations.
• Beef tenderloin is a wedding entree classic for good reason.
• Chilled seafood salads are excellent for a warm-weather wedding, especially when you use fresh and seasonal fish.

Trail Mix Snack Bar

Wedding Buffet Ideas

1. 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 ...
2. Popcorn Table. Serve this classic snack with a twist during your cocktail hour or as a late-night snack. ...
3. Ice Cream Bar. ...
4. Waffle Table. ...
5. Pizza Platter. ...
6. Taco Table. ...
7. Donut Station. ...
8. Salad Bar. ...

More items...

Fresh Vegetable Station

Wedding Food Ideas for a Buffet

1. Barbecue Favorites: Fried Chicken, Mac and Cheese, and Biscuits. For a wedding food that’s always popular, wow your guests with some Southern charm. ...
2. Waffle Table. One of our top choices for wedding dinner buffet ideas is a waffle table. ...
3. Pizza Platter. ...
4. Taco Table. ...
5. Sausage Chive Pinwheels. ...
6. Salad Bar. ...
7. Donut Station. ...
8. Bagel Buffet. ...

Travel-Themed Food Station

Serve up all of your courses in a decorative box or picnic basket. No matter how you decide to serve your food on your big day, make sure you craft a menu that reflects who you are as a couple. Let our favorite 26 wedding menu ideas inspire your reception menu.

Lamb Meatballs On a Rustic Display

What is the best food to serve at a wedding?

What is the best menu for a wedding?

What is the most popular wedding food?

How to serve food at a wedding?

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.

What are some good side dishes for a wedding?

SIDE DISHES & SALADSAsparagus. Steamed Asparagus. Grilled Asparagus. Asparagus w/ Summer Dressing.Salads. Tossed Salad. Caesar Salad. Seasonal Salad. ... Beans. Green Beans. Pole Beans. ... Rice Dishes. Rice Pilaf. Red Beans and Rice. ... Pasta. Mac and Cheese. Italian Ziti with Sauce. ... Corn. Corn on the Cob. Corn Soufflé

What is a good budget for food at a wedding?

Most couples spend between $1,800 and $7,000 on catering. Most caterers will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as part of their packages. The average cost per person for a wedding in the United States is $40 for a plated meal and $27 for a buffet. Adding an open bar typically ups the cost by $15 per person.

How do you plan a wedding menu?

5 tips to creating your wedding reception menuChoose the serving style. ... Seasonal options. ... Incorporate your favorites. ... Consider food allergies and dietary needs. ... Aesthetically pleasing presentation.

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 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 sides should you have at a wedding?

Most wedding reception meals also include two to three side dishes, and couples can expect to order four to six ounces per side, per guest.

What sides can I make ahead?

14 Make-Ahead Summer Side Dishes You Can Bring To Your Next...Greek Pasta Salad. ... Smoky Bacon and Blue Cheese Corn Salad. ... French-Style Potato Salad. ... Tropical Rock Shrimp Ceviche With Pineapple, Mango, and Lime. ... Cowboy Caviar. ... Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad. ... Hoisin Snap Pea and Red Cabbage Slaw. ... Broccoli Crunch Salad.More items...•

How much food do I need for 150 guests?

If there's going to be a main meal served at an event and the event itself is going to be two hours long, then you multiply 150 by 6. This means you'd need to serve at least 900 appetisers in total. If an event lasts two hours but it doesn't involve guests being served a main meal, you multiply 150 by 12.

How much food do I need for 100 guests buffet?

If you're offering catered appetizers, plan for about six portions per guest. For a party of 100 guests, this adds up to roughly 600 appetizer portions. You can also offer light snacks like nuts, fruits and pretzels to give guests something to munch on when they first arrive — stock up on these items in bulk.

What is the cheapest way to cater a wedding?

Arranging a set menu is the most affordable option. Set menus are often inexpensive choices, like barbecue, pizza, tacos, falafels or kebabs. A set menu will also help you avoid long lineups. If each guest has to order, then wait while their food is made, the lineup will be terrible.

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 is comfort food?

A bite-sized grilled cheese paired with a small serving of tomato soup feels elevated, and the delicious food will keep your guests satisfied (or reaching for more!). This goes for any kind of comfort food you like—try mini shooters of BBQ mac and cheese or mini chicken and waffles with maple syrup.

What are some Mexcican dishes?

One way to spice up a veg-friendly menu is to get creative with your presentation. Mexcican dishes like tostadas, veggie chips and stuffed vegetables feel elevated, creative and fun (plus they taste absolutely delicious).

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!

What to put on a wedding menu?

The seasonal foods to incorporate into your wedding menu ranges from fruits to vegetables and herbs such as peaches, cucumber, garlic, zucchini, carrots.

What to eat for a spring wedding?

Cheap foods that make the seasonal menu in spring range from apricots to lemons, asparagus, melons, mint, berries, lavender, and others. The weather is warm, so we will advise you to do less liquor ...

What is the most important part of a wedding checklist?

Picking out the wedding menu ideas for your wedding is one of the most crucial parts of your wedding checklist. The right foods to get the guests excited are cheap wedding foods that are in season at the time of your wedding.

How much does a buffet cost for a wedding?

The average cost per plate for a wedding is $41 while a buffet will cost an average of $28. This is inclusive of food, drinks, appetizers and all. Usually, couples spend as low as $1800 on food upwards to the tune of $10,000 dollars. This is depending on the kind of wedding they are having.

What to have for a winter wedding?

Winter wedding menu ideas should consist of everything hot, spicy and full meals, with hard cocktails slandered decadent desserts. Take advantage of the cheap fruits and veggies in the season like pomegranates, sweet potato, clementine, cabbage- onions, carrots, mushrooms, and turnips.

Why are seasonal foods important at weddings?

Seasonal foods at the time of your wedding is an advantage to you. They come really cheap. You will also be serving your guests something fresh with a much-reduced cost in logistics. This is as against other foods that will be costly and need to be moved into the state.

What are some good foods to eat in the fall?

Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables like apples, Brussel sprouts, carrots, cranberries, beets- cabbage, cauliflowers, figs, mushrooms, potato, sweet-corn, broccoli, and pears. Do as many DIY as you can, it helps a lot. They can be homemade and are basically cheap. Save money by self-catering.

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.

What to serve at a summer wedding?

Steak and salad is the perfect option for summer weddings when you don’t want to weigh your guests down with heavy sides. , talk to your caterer about infusing some fruit in the salad or dressing for a pop of color and flavor. 12. Kebabs. Kebabs are convenient entrees If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding.

What is a wedding dessert?

Traditional wedding desserts consist of wedding cakes or cupcakes. While these classics are still a staple in many weddings, couples are starting to use the dessert table to showcase their favorite sweets instead. Whether you and your honey want to keep it classy or think outside of the box, these wedding dessert ideas will be the talk of the event.

What to put in a salad bar for a wedding?

Place your basics, such as spinach and romaine, alongside toppings like rice, fruits, vegetables, and dressings.

What are some good things to serve at a taco buffet?

Taco buffets are a great way to serve crowds of any size. Make sure to combine classic favorites, like guacamole and pico to gallo, with unique additions, like mushrooms and mango, to make your spread tasty and memorable.

What desserts are good for a hot summer wedding?

Popsicles are an ideal dessert for hot summer weddings to help your guests cool down. Try experimenting with unique flavors and ingredients like the edible flowers and liquor in these boozy pops!

What is a waffle buffet?

Waffle buffets are the perfect option for weddings at any time of the day. Add a few breakfast options for early celebrations or the iconic fried chicken and waffles pairing for evening events .

What are some good desserts for a wedding?

Cookies are a great choice for wedding desserts because you can customize them to fit your big day perfectly. Add edible flowers for a romantic theme or use your alma mater logo to excite the super fans.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Cocktail Hour

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Cold Displays

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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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What is the best food for a wedding reception?

Donuts are a new popular wedding food. It’s easy to display these colorful treats by stacking them or even presenting them on a pegboard. With different colors and sprinkles, donuts are one of the best and most beautiful wedding reception foods on a budget.

What to serve at a wedding?

You could serve pancakes, a full fry-up, or a Continental breakfast with delicious pastries and fruit.

What is the best finger food for a cocktail hour?

These reception dinner ideas are excellent finger food and perfect for cocktail hour. Sausage and apple are a delicious pair, combining salt and sweetness in harmony. Finish them off with a cocktail stick to match your theme.

What to do at a wedding reception?

Add a touch of magic to your big day with the delight of a sugary station. Indulge your sweet tooth with candy, cookies, and cakes. This easy reception food requires no preparation. Just lay it out and stack them candies high!

Is wedding food cheesy?

Wedding food doesn’t come much cheesier than this. These traditional snacks are the perfect symphony of the melty delicacy and toasted bread. Pick different kinds of fillings and have fun with unconventional combinations. It’s certainly a unique wedding food!

Can asparagus be used for weddings?

Asparagus might come off as quite the fancy wedding food, but it can be deceptive ly on the budget! Make colorful canapés, wrap it in ham, or simply fry with butter and lemon. These delicious shoots will leave everyone satisfied without breaking the bank.

Can a wedding buffet cost a bomb?

Let’s face it. Weddings can cost a bomb. But our fantastic wedding buffet menu ideas on a budget will satisfy your guests’ stomachs as well as your wallet. Your family and friends won’t be thinking about the cost of these fabulous wedding reception dinners!