There are many details that guests will remember from your wedding day: a beautiful venue, a heartfelt speech, or a floor-filling playlist. But for a lot of people, the most memorable aspect of any event is the food! This means that planning your menu should be high up on your wedding checklist. Luckily, it’s a fun task, with lots of options and considerations too. So before you order that five-course tasting menu or gourmet canapes, make sure to read these wedding menu ideas and tips.
Let’s dig in!
Serve Your Favorite Foods
Before you get overwhelmed with ideas, ask yourselves: What do you like to eat? Remember, it’s your wedding, so you should serve what you like and want to share with your guests. Not only do you want to enjoy the food on your wedding day, but your menu is an opportunity to personalize the occasion by serving dishes inspired by your relationship. For example, if you went for ice cream on your first date, why not have an ice cream station, or, if one of you has Italian heritage, you could serve a pasta dish from that region. Perhaps you both love a good barbeque, in which case plan the biggest and best cook-off your guests have ever seen! Your menu doesn’t have to be fancy, just authentically you.
Cater For the Crowd
That said, remember you’re hosting guests who have made an effort to be there, so think about what they would like to eat. Even if you are both adventurous eaters, your wedding reception food menu probably isn’t the best place to introduce others to escargot! It’s better to steer clear of polarizing flavors like anchovies, as well as raw fish and meats, or anything that’s very spicy. Of course, it’s also important to cater to guests who are vegetarian, vegan or have food allergies – ask them to let you know on your invitations. Finally, make sure the food is substantial enough to soak up the wine, and not too messy or difficult to eat. For example, sloppy joe sliders sound fun but won’t be if they spill on a guest’s silk dress!
Choose a Service Style
A sit-down meal plus seating plan is no longer the only option for a wedding, with many couples opting for alternative dining styles. What’s best for you depends on the size and layout of your space, the number of guests, and the atmosphere you’re looking for. A plated menu brought to tables by servers works well if you want a more traditional wedding, or to include food and wine pairings. Whereas if you would prefer to spend more time mingling and dancing, a buffet-style spread may be a better choice. If you’re having a late evening event, you could even just serve substantial canapes with cocktails and dessert. Other ideas that are becoming increasingly popular include grazing tables and food stations.
Consider Your Budget
As with any aspect of wedding planning, you’ll have to factor the food into your wedding budget. The cost of your menu depends on lots of factors, so now is the time to weigh up what’s really important to you and your partner. For example, if fine-dining is a must, then maybe you would prefer to have a small wedding and an over-the-top dinner. Whereas if you want to invite hundreds of people, you might have to cut back on the canapes. Many couples think a buffet will be cheaper than a sit-down meal, but that’s not always the case. For a plated menu, a caterer will know exactly how much food to order, whereas for a buffet it’s harder to judge what people will eat and how many will go back for seconds.
Stay Seasonal and Local
One sure way to keep costs down is to serve local and seasonal produce – the further ingredients have to be shipped, the more expensive they will be. Not only that, but fruits and vegetables in season are fresher and more delicious! For example, perhaps you love heirloom tomatoes but if you’re getting married in May, asparagus is a more seasonal choice. Likewise, bear in mind the expected weather for your day: for a hot summer wedding, you’ll want to keep the meal light, but in the winter you can opt for richer and warming dishes. Using local produce or recipes is also a great way to personalize your event and introduce guests from out of town to a new dish or the best of its kind in the country!
Don’t Skimp on Portions
The last thing you want at your wedding is hungry guests! Even if you’re having a buffet, try to give your caterer an accurate headcount, and don’t cut down on what they recommend. Also, think about the appetites of your guests. So if your partner’s football team is attending, you may need to order extra portions. Daytime weddings, in particular, are long affairs and your guests need to be fed at regular intervals. For example, if you really want a late dinner, make sure there are substantial canapes to keep people going in the meantime. Or if you’re eating in the late afternoon and partying until the early hours, it’s best to lay on a simple supper late in the evening – just pizza or sandwiches will do!
We hope these tips help you get started planning your wedding menu. Now let the tastings begin!
Matilda is Marketing Manager in the International Team, bringing Zazzle to customers everywhere from Sydney to Stockholm.
I try to pick a few things that the majority of people will like, that I will also like. Usually it helps to plan two meal selections for meats, for example, one chicken and one beef, so people feel like they have a nice choice. I think it is also important to offer a good vegetarian/vegan option for those who require those diets. So the main menu will have three selections, two for meat, and one vegetarian. They can choose which dish they want on their RSVP, in addition to indicating any food allergies/intolerances they have.