Keeping your guests and yourselves fed and watered has a major impact on your wedding day. It can also take up a large chunk of your wedding budget especially if you go down a three-course meal route.
So I have put together some traditional, alternative, fun and budget wedding food and menu ideas for your nuptials.
Photo: Lauren May Photos via Yew Tree Farm Wedding Grazing Table: Lakeland Grazing
Grab your knife and fork at the ready! You’re about to discover lip-smacking, mouthwatering food inspo that’ll leave your guests raving for years to come.
Main Meal & Wedding Breakfast Options
Firstly, let’s take a look at some traditional wedding meal possibilities.
Three-Course Meal
If you go for a ‘traditional’ wedding, the most classic catering option is a three-course meal. If you want a formal sit-down meal and good food this can be a great route to go down.
Photo: Matilda Delves Photography via Oak Barn Wedding Caterer: Sarah Hall Catering
Check with your venue or caterers that you can have a menu tasting before the day, to check you are happy with what you will be served.
Formal wedding menu ideas:
Pate starter, Roast main, Crumble dessert
Salmon starter, Steak main, Sorbet dessert
Prawn Cocktail starter, Pie main, Tart dessert
Soup starter, Risotto main, Cheese Cake dessert
Nachos starter, Fish and Chips main, Meringue dessert
Terrine starter, Chicken main, Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert
Asparagus starter, Curry main, Creme Brule dessert
Salad starter, Beef main, Ice Cream dessert
Tartlet starter, Pasta main, Sponge dessert
Gnocchi starter, Sausage and Mash main, Brownies dessert
Photo: Paul Joseph Photography via Charming Natural Countryside Tipi Wedding Catering: GFS Caterers
BBQ
The barbecue is a lovely and relaxed option, especially for summer weddings. There are caterers out there that offer this option, with guests mingling with the sight and sound of the food cooking.
It also can suit many a palate with plain or complex tastes possible. If you fancy DIYing your wedding BBQ that is totally possible too, with a little organisation you can save a fair sum.
BBQ wedding menu ideas:
Meats – Beef/Chicken/Sausage/Burger/Pork/Lamb
Veggie – Vegetable Kebabs/Halloumi
Sides – Salads/Coleslaw/Potatoes/Rice/Chips/Bread/Vegetables
Photo: The Shannons via Barley Wood House Wedding Sign: 2 Flux
Buffets & Grazing Boards
Buffets have a cool retro feel to them. With a community effort, you can get all of your guests involved by asking them to bring a plate. More recently, grazing boards and sharing platters have been a huge wedding trend.
Photo: Opperhill Photography via Terracotta Wedding Ideas Grazing Board: Graze Cheshire
You can also ask your wedding venue or caterers for a buffet option. Buffets can be great for family affairs or for fussy eaters as guests can pick and choose what they would like to eat. It can also be cheaper per head than a more formal dinner.
Buffet and grazing wedding menu ideas:
Salads
Cold Meats
Pastries
Mini Foods & Food On Sticks
Sandwiches
Dips
Pies
Crudites
Pasta/Rice Dishes
Fruit
Potatoes
Photo: The Enlight Project via Autumn Boho Wedding Ideas Grazing Table: The Graze Girls
Evening/Alternative Main Meal Wedding Food Ideas
Next up, we’re going to take a look at some evening food inspiration, which could also replace more traditional wedding breakfasts too!
By 7 pm your guests may start to get the munchies. So it’s a good idea to think about an evening snack to keep them partying into the small hours. No one wants a hungry tummy at a wedding.
Hog Roast
Hog roasts have been increasingly popular at weddings in the UK and many wedding venues now offer a hog roast as a wedding meal alternative.
A hog roast can be totally delicious and can be served with rolls, jacket potatoes, salads and more.
Photo: Cat Arwel Photography via Nature Modern Wedding Ideas Caterer: Leo: Food & Mind
Food Truck
There are so many cool and quirky food trucks around the UK now offering fresh and tasty cuisine. There is a food style to suit every taste out there
Head to local events or markets, try out their food and ask them if they cater for events. A food truck can be a really cost-effective option for wedding food.
Wedding food truck ideas:
Pizza
Fish & Chips
Sushi
Curries
Burritos/Nachos
Pasta/Mac n’ Cheese
BBQ
Burgers
Fried/Jerk Chicken
Noodles
Toasties
Meatballs/Stews
Bowl Food
Sandwiches/Butties
Cheese!
Photo: Rebecca Kerr Photography via Pizza Wedding Reception Catering: Fired Up Pizza Co.
There are also sweet food trucks available to hire, check out the dessert ideas below for inspiration.
Fish & Chips
Good old fish and chips can fill a hungry hole with no problem. Contact your local favourite fish and chip supplier. Many of them do mass catering and can also pre-book them to cook and deliver on the day. Budget-friendly cuisine at its best!
Photo: Claire Macintyre Photography via 1930s Seaside Wedding
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea has seen a resurgence in recent years and many couples have ditched the traditional wedding meal in favour of tea and cake. Pretty and delicious. What to serve?
Sandwiches with unique fillings
Salad sides
Scones, jam and cream
Mini desserts
Lashings of tea
And maybe some bubbles!
Photo: Emma and Rich via Cowshed Woodhall Farm Wedding Afternoon Tea: Vinteage
Canapes
Little morsels which are pretty yet scrummy. Get your guests in the party mood with canapés on arrival at your reception. There are so many endless canapé ideas to choose from.
How about these canape ideas?
Mini burgers/hot dogs
Tiny pies/tarts
Meat/veg on sticks
Crackers/toast with pate/fish/terrine
Crisps/pretzels/popcorn snack bar
Oysters
Antipasti
Fruit
Photo: Wild Tide Weddings via Summer Boho Wedding Food: Chef In My Home
Dessert
Those with a sweet tooth will be eager to see what you have in store for dessert. Some venues offer multiple mini desserts for something extra special.
For a cost-cutting idea why not consider serving your wedding cake as dessert or ask your guests to bring sweet treats along for a buffet style bake off?
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Holkham Hall Wedding Dessert Table: Dust With Coca
You could also consider hiring a sweet food truck for the ultimate treat!
Wedding dessert menu ideas:
Ice cream/sorbet/sundaes
Waffles
Candy floss
Pancakes/crepes
Milkshakes
Pie/tart/crumble
Meringue
Creme brule
Trifle
Cake/sponge pudding/brownies
Doughnuts
Cheesecake
Souffle
Posset
Macarons
Pastries
Jelly
Poached fruit
Cookies/biscuits
Cheese board
Chocolate fondue
Photo: Golden Vibes Photo via Magical Fairytale Wedding Ideas Candy Floss: The Jolly Sheep
Speciality
Perhaps you have specific requirements? Want locally produced, perhaps organic produce?
Check out your local caterers and pubs/cafes where you enjoy eating. Why not source the ingredients yourself and then find someone to cook them for you? Think about your favourite snacks or treats you could include on the day.
There are also low-waste and eco-conscious caterers around now, perfect for sustainable weddings.
Photo: James and Kerrie Photography via Holbrook Manor Wedding
Dietary Requirements
Don’t forget catering for allergies or dietary requirements. Check with your guests what they need to stay safe and happy at your wedding breakfast. Nobody needs to miss out.
Photo: Two Cheeks Studio via The Meadows Stirling Wedding
How To Get Unique Wedding Food Ideas?
It’s important to stay true to yourself when choosing your wedding menu, if you are still stuck for ideas take inspiration from:
The wedding location and the local cuisine
Your heritage and your favourite meals
The season (seasonal produce is always delicious)
Ask your caterers for help and ideas!
The options really are endless, but it’s super exciting choosing your menu. After all, the food is one of the most talked about aspects of any wedding. It’s imperative though that you as a couple choose food you will love, at your wedding.
Mmmmm. Is it dinner time yet? And that’s a wrap, all the wedding food and menu ideas you’ll ever need for your celebrations. Hoorah!
Photo: Sophie Lake Photography via Playful Cool Wedding Ideas
Further Reading
What Is A Wedding Breakfast?
Micro Wedding Food and Drink Ideas
Cheese Wedding Cake Ideas
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