How to Plan a Wedding Menu Your Guests Will Love

Choosing the right wedding food can be stressful. Catering to all your guests, managing dietary needs, staying within budget, and still serving a memorable meal is a lot to juggle!

And with so many wedding menu ideas and wedding food menus available, it can be daunting to know where to start.

Our guide will help you understand your options, from traditional dining to creative, low-cost wedding food ideas. Keep reading to see how to create a wedding catering menu that keeps you and your guests happy.

What to Include in a Traditional Wedding Breakfast Menu

A traditional wedding breakfast menu usually follows a structured, sit-down arrangement that flows in three stages. 

While the specific dishes are entirely up to you, the structure remains similar across most weddings (although you don’t have to follow this format – more on this later): 

Kick Things Off With the Starter

Guests are seated, and the first course is served. Starters are typically light, like soups, smoked salmon or parfait. This course allows guests to relax, talk and settle in after the ceremony.

Serve the Main Course

The main course is the heart of the wedding menu. Guests usually choose between two or three dishes, which you ask them to select ahead of time when sending a wedding invitation. When they send their RSVP, they also send their wedding food menu choices. 

Most wedding venues and caterers provide options of red meat, white meat, fish, and vegan/vegetarian options. The main course is designed to be filling, comforting and, traditionally, elegant.

Wrap Up With the Dessert

Dessert is the final course of a traditional wedding breakfast. Typically served as a light, sweet finish to the meal, such as panna cotta, lemon posset or a warm pudding. 

Alternatively, some couples opt out of a plated dessert altogether if serving the wedding cake later. Or, you could offer a cheese course later in the evening with drinks! 

Low-Budget Wedding Food Ideas and When To Use Them

There are countless ways to serve food at weddings. Whether you’re working with professional wedding caterers or hosting at a self-catered wedding venue, here are some popular and budget-friendly ideas:

Buffet and Sharing Options

A buffet wedding menu is a great way to offer variety and flexibility with your wedding food catering. The spread allows guests to choose what they want, including carved meats, pasta stations, salad bars and even build-your-own burger or taco tables. 

Buffet-style dining is often more relaxed and tends to be more affordable because it requires fewer serving staff than a traditional plated meal.

Grazing Tables and Canapés

Some couples may decide to provide wedding canapé food or grazing tables so their guests can enjoy light bites while photos are being taken after the ceremony and before the main wedding meal. Both can be cost-effective options as they often use simple, shareable foods that can be prepared in large quantities. 

Grazing tables often include antipasti boards, cheese and charcuterie and dips with artisan breads. Examples of wedding canapes include foods such as bruschetta, mini quiches or smoked salmon blinis.

FAQs

What Are the Best Wedding Food Options? 

Popular wedding food choices include:

• Traditional plated three-course menu 

• Wedding food buffet setup

• Sharing platters

• Street food vans

• Afternoon tea

• BBQ-style menus

• DIY or self-catered spreads

Although these are popular options, there are no rules around what food you must serve at your wedding. It’s totally up to you and is dependent on your taste, venue, budget, and how formal or relaxed you’d like your celebration to feel.

What Wedding Foods Should You Avoid?

While personal taste is a factor, some foods tend to be more impractical than others at weddings. Items that are typically messy to eat, like dishes with a lot of sauce, and strong-smelling foods, are best to avoid (unless you want your guests to be covered in food or smelling like garlic for the rest of the night!).

Some foods can also be tricky to serve or require proper storage ahead of the big day. Frozen desserts can be especially risky as they need reliable freezer space on-site and melt quickly if the venue or caterer can’t provide suitable storage.

Top tip: Check with your wedding venue to ensure that they can properly accommodate foods that require specific storage or serving logistics. 

How to Choose Wedding Food on a Budget?

Choosing inexpensive wedding food is completely achievable with the right approach. Many couples reduce costs by opting for buffets instead of plated meals, as they offer a variety of choices without the staffing fees. 

Using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients is another effective way to keep costs low while ensuring the food is fresh and full of flavour. 

Wedding street food vendors are also becoming increasingly popular and can be more budget-friendly than traditional wedding caterers. For those hosting at a self-catered wedding venue, DIY sides or desserts can make a significant difference to your overall costs. 

With thoughtful planning and a bit of creativity, you can serve a delicious wedding meal without overspending. 

When is The Best Time to Serve Food?

When it comes to timing, there are no concrete rules to follow. However, a typical schedule usually begins with canapes during post-ceremony drinks, followed by the main wedding breakfast menu once guests are seated. 

The afternoon is generally spent taking photos, mingling and speeches, with buffet-style or street food and snacks being served in the evening. The flow of your wedding food depends on the time of your ceremony, the venue and the flow of your big day.

How to Cater for Allergies and Dietary Needs? 

Always check dietary requirements when collecting RSVPs. Wedding caterers usually offer gluten-free dishes, vegan/vegetarian alternatives, nut-free and dairy-free options. 

If you’re providing a buffet-style wedding menu, make sure all food is clearly labelled so that guests with allergies or dietary requirements feel confident and catered for.

Should You Consider Seasonal and Locally Sourced Ingredients When Planning Your Wedding Menu?

Seasonal ingredients are fresh, full of flavour, and often more budget-friendly. Thinking seasonally and even locally sourced foods are incredibly effective ways to create high-quality wedding food without pushing your budget too far. 

Bring Your Wedding Vision to Life at The Lawrence

Your wedding menu plays a central role in the atmosphere of your celebration, from the first bite to the last. A good wedding menu should balance flavour, variety and presentation to create a memorable dining experience for every guest.

On top of providing guests with delicious food, you also need to consider where your wedding will take place. The location of your wedding has a huge impact on the feel and overall experience of your day.

Each wedding package at The Lawrence is designed to suit different styles and budgets, providing everything from venue hire to decor and catering. Customisation is always available to make your day truly unique.

Get in touch to explore how we can bring your wedding vision to life, find out more about our catering options and start planning your special day with us!