One of the biggest parts of your entire wedding day is the food. Yes, of course, the main focus of your wedding day is to get married to your best friend and the love of your life, and while food isn’t quite that important, it’s up there! The food you serve your guests will be one of the things they remember the most, and it gives you the opportunity to have a lot of fun and use your creative side.
Whether you’re having a luxurious wedding with a four-course menu or a relaxed wedding with a unique theme, the food you serve plays a big role in establishing the style and vibe you’re going for.
Choosing the food is one of the most exciting parts of the entire wedding planning process. You get the chance to browse menus, try some delicious food and choose the dishes you’re offering to your guests on the big day.
But, with so many different types of dining options to choose from, where are you supposed to start? If you’re not quite sure where to look first, we’ve put together our list of some of the best wedding menu ideas to help give you some inspiration (and hopefully not give you too much food envy!).
How to choose the perfect wedding menu
Because your food plays such an important part of your wedding day, you might consider it a pretty major decision. And with an almost limitless number of cuisines, styles and ingredients to pick from, how are you supposed to whittle it down to a menu that includes just a small handful of dishes?
Here’s everything you should think about when choosing the perfect menu for your wedding:
- Your budget: The average amount couples spend per head on catering at their wedding is between £30 and £40, which can quickly become incredibly expensive if you have a lot of people to invite. And, of course, the more elaborate and luxurious your choices are, the more you’re likely to pay.
- Your guests: You need to consider the dietary requirements of everyone who’s likely to come to your wedding, so you’re not leaving anyone out. It’s also important to think about their preferences, which means if you plan on inviting a lot of people who can’t handle spices, having ghost pepper wings on the menu might not be a great idea.
- Stick with the overall theme of your wedding: The food goes a long way towards setting the tone and feel of your wedding, so the food should reflect the style you’ve gone for. That means, if you’re going for an elegant and luxurious vibe, a build-your-own-burrito bar might not be the best choice (though it would probably still go down a treat with your guests!).
- Consider seasonality: Think about the time of year you’re getting married and what sort of ingredients are likely to be a great combination of affordable, high-quality and fresh. For example, with an autumn wedding, you could lean on root vegetables, while with a spring wedding, you could include strawberries and asparagus.
- Offer choice: You might have your sights set on something in particular, but variety is the spice of life, after all. Offering guests several dishes to choose from means they’re likely to find at least one dish they’ll enjoy. Dishes that are too similar to each other might cause a few problems.
- Speak to the experts: You might have a few ideas, but it’s always best to speak to a professional. At Bridebook, we’ve partnered with a fabulous selection of wedding caterers, so reach out to some and see what they can suggest to help your vision come to life. You should also reach out to your wedding venue, as they’ll have lots of expertise plus either required or recommended caterer lists.
What wedding menu styles are there?
There are so many different wedding menu styles available to choose from that there really is no surprise that couples struggle to narrow things down. Here are some of the most common styles of wedding menus and a few suggestions for what sort of dishes you might want to include:
Classic wedding menu
A traditional type of dining experience served by a team of wait staff. It’s generally the sort of thing you picture when you think ‘wedding breakfast’.
Common dishes served as part of a classic wedding menu include:
Starters: Prawn cocktail, bruschetta, soup.
Main courses: Roast chicken, beef Wellington, salmon filet.
Desserts: Traditional wedding cake, vanilla cheesecake, fruit tarts.
Unique wedding menu
Bold and one-of-a-kind choices that are super creative and reflect your personalities. It may be international dishes or dishes using unusual ingredients.
Dishes to consider if you fancy a unique wedding menu include:
Starters: Sushi, sliders, mac ‘n’ cheese bites.
Main courses: Lobster risotto, duck confit, Korean BBQ.
Desserts: Mini doughnuts, ice cream sandwiches, lava cake.
Formal wedding menu
An elegant and luxurious menu filled with premium dishes and experiences that you might find in a high-end restaurant.
Dishes you might see on a formal wedding menu include:
Starters: Bisque, smoked salmon mousse, caviar.
Main courses: Wagyu beef, veal, lobster tail.
Desserts: Soufflé, petit fours, filled chocolate cylinder.
Casual wedding menu
A relaxed and laid-back dining experience with fun, attention-grabbing dishes and comfort food. It ensures a more informal atmosphere where things can be a little bit messier.
There are loads of dishes you might expect to see on a casual wedding menu, such as:
Starters: Sliders, charcuterie board, spring rolls.
Main courses: Hog roast, pasta, grilled chicken.
Desserts: Cupcakes, cookies, brownies.
Simple wedding menu
A minimalist, no-frills approach to good food with fresh flavours that is easy and affordable to cook for a large guest list.
There are plenty of simple dishes you could include on a simple wedding menu, like:
Starters: Cheese platter, chicken skewers, bruschetta.
Main courses: Baked salmon, lasagna, chicken stew.
Desserts: Wedding cake, fruit salad, ice cream and sorbet.
Elaborate wedding menu
A conversation-starting menu filled with incredible luxuries that your guests likely don’t eat on a regular basis, using exciting ingredients and dishes that make a big statement.
You can be super creative with an elaborate wedding menu if you have the budget, and include dishes like:
Starters: Oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon, steak tartare.
Main courses: Prime rib, half lobster, lamb rack.
Desserts: Macarons, chocolate fountain, grand dessert buffet.
Modern wedding menu
A contemporary approach to traditional and classic wedding dishes with twists on flavours and presentation.
Let your creativity run wild with a modern wedding menu, and include food such as:
Starters: Avocado toast bites, tuna tartare, seared scallops.
Main courses: Stuffed squash, miso cod, pork two ways.
Desserts: Mini cheesecakes, chocolate mousse, matcha green tea cake.
Rustic wedding menu
A little rough around the edges as everything is big, bold and homemade, with a focus on filling portions and rich flavours.
Some rustic wedding menu favourites include:
Starters: Kebab skewers, devilled eggs, artisan bread with a selection of accompaniments.
Main courses: Roast chicken, smoked brisket, vegetable pie.
Desserts: Fruit crumble, fruit cake, ice cream sundae.
Seasonal wedding menu
A menu filled with seasonal fruits, vegetables and meats that reflect the time of year of the wedding.
Take full advantage of seasonal flavours, with dishes like:
Spring: Grilled asparagus, lamb chops, lemon sorbet.
Summer: Caesar salad, grilled corn, strawberry cheesecake.
Autumn: Butternut squash soup, roasted root vegetables, chocolate brownie.
Winter: Beef stew, roast potatoes, fruit cake.
Themed wedding menu
A menu in keeping with the specific theme of your wedding, which you may choose depending on your interests, your history as a couple or the venue.
Example themes you might consider include:
Fantasy theme: vine-wrapped bread parcels, potatoes (boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew).
Vintage theme: Coq au vin, roasted leg of lamb, crème brûlée.
International theme: Sushi, ramen, custard bao buns.
Fusion wedding menu
Combines elements of different cuisines to create a whole new type of food, from Italian-Mexican to Chinese-Greek.
There are loads of dishes you might want to consider for a fusion wedding menu. Here are a few of our favourites:
Starters: Tandoori chicken skewers, cheeseburger stuffed spring rolls, stuffed croissants.
Main courses: Sushi tacos, paella, BBQ and cornbread.
Desserts: Matcha tiramisu, churros, miso caramel tart.
Vegetarian wedding menu
A light, fresh and creative offering that celebrates vegetarian (or plant-based) foods.
There are endless possibilities to think about, but some popular dishes you might want to offer as part of a vegetarian wedding menu include:
Starters: Hummus and bread, stuffed mushrooms, vegetable soup.
Main courses: Ratatouille, stir fry, roasted cauliflower.
Desserts: Coconut panna cotta, fruit sorbet, chocolate cake.
Comfort food wedding menu
A surefire way to put smiles on your guests’ faces and fill their bellies with some proper comfort food favourites.
For a comfort food wedding menu like no other, yreat your guests to some real crowd-pleasers with dishes such as:
Starters: Mini cheese on toast with tomato soup, loaded potato skins, chicken wings.
Main courses: Southern fried chicken, beef sliders, mac ‘n’ cheese.
Desserts: Apple pie, profiteroles, chocolate brownie.
What are the different types of service at a wedding breakfast?
Once you’ve chosen the type of food you’d like to offer your guests at your wedding, you’ll then want to think about the different types of service. This is something else that will depend on several factors:
- Your budget
- The type of service offered by your preferred caterer
- The setup of your venue
- The formality of your wedding
- Your own personal preference
Here are four of the most popular types of service to have at a wedding:
1. Table service
This is the most common format for a wedding breakfast, where a team of wait staff will serve you and your guests in a similar way to a restaurant. The main difference is that your guests will have likely made their choices ahead of the wedding, so the wait staff will serve food based on that by looking at your name and what you’ve ordered on a list.
A table service wedding breakfast is elegant and formal, and is the traditional way to enjoy a wedding breakfast. You’ll know exactly what your guests will get, with an experienced team who can deliver dozens of plates of food seamlessly. Because there’s a big team involved, it can be an expensive option, but it creates that formal atmosphere many want during this part of the day.
2. Buffet
Buffets allow your guests to help themselves to a range of hot and cold dishes, which are arranged at tables or stations. It’s typically an informal way of serving food that is often used to make sure everyone is well fed at the evening reception. However, it’s also becoming common for couples to choose a buffet for the wedding breakfast, especially for those who have decided on a twilight wedding.
Buffets are big crowd-pleasers and can be more affordable. They also give your guests a lot of food to choose from, and you’ll get to take home and freeze any leftovers – result! However, buffets are also less formal, which is great if you’re dreaming of a more casual wedding, but less so if you want a more formal vibe.
3. Family style
Family style is a term that originates from the USA to describe a type of dining where large plates and platters of food are placed in the middle of a table and guests are encouraged to pass them around and serve themselves. It means guests get to eat as much of their favourites as they like and encourages an interactive and shared experience.
It’s not as elegant or sophisticated as table service dining, but it’s fun and gets everyone talking. Just be aware that it does require a lot of space on tables, so might not be suitable if you have limited room.
4. Food trucks
Food trucks offer a fun, informal and modern way to serve food at a wedding. You can offer as many different types of food as you like, from wood-fired pizza to loaded fries. It’s great if you’re having an outdoor wedding or your venue doesn’t have an in-house catering team.
Food trucks are super flexible and casual, but the bill can add up. They’re also a bit of a risk in case the heavens open, which is always a possibility in the UK! Plus, some venues may not allow food trucks or outside vendors, so if you’d like the option of food trucks, make sure you check with your venue before you book.
Example wedding menus to inspire you
Looking for some inspiration for your wedding menu? Here are more ideas for what sort of food you might want to offer your guests on your big day.
1. Elegant and classic wedding menu
Canapés:
- Smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche
- Mini crab cakes with tartar sauce
Starters:
- Roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraîche and toasted pumpkin seeds
- Caprese salad with fresh basil, tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella
Mains:
- Seared filet mignon with red wine jus, garlic mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables
- Pan-seared sea bass with beurre blanc, wild rice and steamed asparagus
Desserts:
- Classic wedding cake with vanilla sponge and buttercream
- Mini lemon tarts with raspberry coulis
2. Modern fusion wedding menu
Canapés:
- Ahi tuna tartare on cucumber slices
- Korean BBQ sliders with kimchi
Starters:
- Miso soup with tofu, seaweed and spring onions
- Avocado and grapefruit salad with a chilli-lime dressing
Mains:
- Grilled lamb chops with harissa sauce, couscous and roasted vegetables
- Miso-glazed cod with jasmine rice and sautéed bok choy
Desserts:
- Matcha green tea mousse with coconut macarons
- Chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and marshmallows
3. Rustic and farm-to-table wedding menu
Canapés:
- Charcuterie board with artisanal cheeses, cured meats and olives
- Goat cheese crostini with honey and rosemary
Starters:
- Roasted beet salad with goat cheese, candied pecans and rocket
- Grilled peach and burrata salad with balsamic glaze
Mains:
- Herb-roasted chicken with wild rice, roasted carrots and rosemary gravy
- Braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans
Desserts:
- Apple crisp with vanilla ice cream
- Rustic chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce
4. Gourmet fine dining wedding menu
Canapés:
- Truffle oil and parmesan crostini
- Lobster and avocado mousse in a cucumber cup
Starters:
- Lobster bisque with brandy cream and fresh herbs
- Seared tuna with brioche and caramelised figs
Mains:
- Beef Wellington with a red wine reduction, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus
- Pan-seared scallops with pea purée, saffron risotto and roasted baby carrots
Desserts:
- Chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream
- Passionfruit panna cotta with tropical fruit salad
5. Casual and fun wedding menu
Canapés:
- Mini sliders with cheddar and pickles
- Spicy buffalo chicken bites with blue cheese dipping sauce
Starters:
- Classic Caesar salad with crispy bacon, croutons and parmesan
- Tomato and mozzarella skewers with basil and balsamic drizzle
Mains:
- BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and sweet potato fries
- Grilled vegetable skewers with quinoa and tzatziki
Desserts:
- Ice cream sundae bar with a variety of toppings
- Chocolate brownie with a choice of sauces
6. Vegetarian and vegan wedding menu
Canapés:
- Stuffed mushrooms with vegan cheese and fresh herbs
- Avocado and tomato crostini with basil pesto
Starters:
- Roasted carrot and lentil salad with tahini
- Tomato basil soup with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil
Mains:
- Vegan mushroom Wellington with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach
- Grilled vegetable platter with quinoa and a lemon-tahini dressing
Desserts:
- Vegan chocolate mousse with coconut whipped cream
- Fresh fruit salad with mint and lime dressing
7. Italian-inspired wedding menu
Canapés:
- Bruschetta with tomato, basil and balsamic vinegar
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon with a drizzle of olive oil
Starters:
- Caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction
- Minestrone soup with fresh vegetables and basil pesto
Mains:
- Lasagna with layers of ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil
- Grilled chicken piccata with lemon, capers and spaghetti
Desserts:
- Tiramisu with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone
- Lemon ricotta cheesecake with berry compote
8. Seafood lover’s wedding menu
Canapés:
- Shrimp cocktail with a tangy cocktail sauce
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis with dill
Starters:
- Lobster and avocado salad with citrus dressing
- Tuna tartare with wasabi mayo and sesame seeds
Mains:
- Grilled sea bass with lemon butter sauce, roasted potatoes and spinach
- Lobster tail with garlic butter, wild rice and grilled asparagus
Desserts:
- Lemon sorbet with fresh mint
- Coconut panna cotta with passionfruit compote
9. Outdoor and barbecue wedding menu
Canapés:
- Grilled shrimp skewers with a spicy marinade
- Mini corn on the cob with smoked paprika butter
Starters:
- Watermelon and feta salad with mint and balsamic glaze
- Roasted corn salad with avocado and lime dressing
Mains:
- BBQ ribs with coleslaw and rustic bread
- Grilled chicken thighs with chimichurri sauce, grilled vegetables and jacket potatoes
Desserts:
- Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate brownies with marshmallows
10. French-inspired wedding menu
Canapés:
- Mini quiche Lorraine
- Goat cheese and honey crostini with rosemary
Starters:
- French onion soup with melted gruyère cheese
- Salmon tartare with Dijon mustard and lemon
Mains:
- Coq au vin with mashed potatoes and buttered greens
- Duck confit with red wine sauce, roasted root vegetables and French green beans
Desserts:
- Crème brûlée with vanilla bean
- French macarons with raspberry filling
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To help choose your perfect wedding menu, browse our wedding caterers – you’ll also receive exclusive discounts when you book your caterer through Bridebook.
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