How to choose your Wedding Menu ?

One of the most common question that couples are wondering about is about the wedding menu they are going to choose. To make yours a success you must obviously think about the meal and menu you are going to present. Here are some tips to help you make a good wedding reception

The wedding season

The season you will get married is important because it will guide you towards the type of meal and dishes to select. If it is during the winter it is better to serve hot meals with soft drinks and wine. For example, as a starter a chicken roulade with a salad can be nice and as a main course, a roasted beef served with potatoes and a red wine sauce. All this with an elderflower liqueur and wine cocktail can be really good.
During summer, light meals and fresh drinks are preferable .Why not try various salads, vegetables and products as seafood and charcuterie platters. It also depends on the moment of the day knowing that a diner is lighter. The season will also help you decide whether you do it inside or outside.

Different ways to make your reception

Which wedding menu matches best with your theme? Doing it the traditional way (silver service), meaning bringing all plates at the same time for your guests, can be appreciated for a formal and elegant dinner reception. It is composed with a starter a main course whether meat or fish and a desert.

The buffet dinner is perfect for small and medium weddings, offers much more choice and is ideal for a relaxed atmosphere. It is a way to make your guests move a little bit and the possibility to interact. If you need to do some savings it is the best choice as less waiting staff will be required. However be careful not to use the same products for your canapés and for your dinner.

The cocktail reception is another alternative to the wedding breakfast and offers good value for money. It is easy to make and you can have a variety of products as everything has a minimal size. As it is a cocktail your guests don’t need to sit at table but it ‘s always good to plan chairs and tables throughout the reception place. You can choose various hors d’oeuvre like mini salted pies, mini crab cakes and things more elaborated like for a formal diner. It will be more festive for your guests and you have to plan at least 10 hors d’oeuvres per person. Yet, be careful about quantities the inconvenient is that your guests risk to still be hungry so make sure to make it clear that a full meal will not be served.

The afternoon Tea is typically British. It is a meal composed of a sweet and savoury options and of course tea!It’s served in te afternoon and can replace a lunch or a dinner. You can find sandwiches, scones clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes. It is perfect if your wedding has a garden party theme.

Please yourself and your guest

Don’t forget it is your wedding and your menu! So don’t hesitate to put dishes you like or you want your guests to discover. As you must keep your theme in mind choose a menu that matches with it so for example, if it’s for a regional theme you can propose typical dishes. Yet, be careful about your guests and their taste. Maybe there are some products they don’t eat due to specific diets, allergies, etc… Make sure an alternative is available from your caterer.

You now have all the tools to make your perfect wedding menu !  😉

Good luck and make sure to check out our previous article about 5 magic keys for a picnic wedding if you are thinking of a casual meal for your wedding.