Congratulations! You’re getting married. It’s an exciting time, and you’ll want everything to be perfect on the day of your wedding. One thing that can affect the look and feel of your day is what you serve at cocktail hour and dinner. Whether you like a formal sit-down meal or something more casual, our guide to wedding menus will help you figure out what food would best fit into your plans—and how much it might cost!
Using seasonal food gives you the opportunity to experiment with and combine different fresh foods, flavors, foods etc.
Let’s list the main questions about the wedding menu:
- What is the average cost per plate for a wedding reception?
The average cost per plate for a wedding is $41 while a buffet will cost an average of $28. This is inclusive of food, drinks, appetizers and all.
Usually, couples spend as low as $1800 on food upwards to the tune of $10,000 dollars. This is depending on the kind of wedding they are having.
- Is a buffet wedding cheaper?
Serving your wedding receptions food buffet style is quite cheap but has its flip side. While you will spend very little or nothing on caterers, staff and rentals, you will spend more getting food.
This is because guests will be totally left to serve themselves and we all know some guests can go overboard at such liberties. Best bet is to control portions by keeping someone in charge.
Here are some of the best sample menus for a wedding reception in winter or summer, buffet or cocktail, if you are hosting your own wedding.
How to Choose a Wedding Menu
Choosing a wedding menu can take some time, but it’s worth the effort. The level of detail that goes into every aspect of your wedding should be reflected in every element, including food.
Choosing a menu that tells your story and reflects who you are as individuals will make your day even more special than it already is!
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you write your wedding menu:
Step 1: Write down your guest list and the number of people you expect to attend. If you’re planning a large wedding, make sure that you don’t overdo it by choosing too many dishes for each course.
Step 2: Brainstorm some ideas for each course. Remember that the food should be appropriate for the occasion and season, and pick dishes that reflect your personality. Consider what you love to eat, as well as any special dietary needs or restrictions that your guests might have.
Step 3: Decide on a menu structure. Do you want to keep it simple and just have one main course, or do you want to create a meal that includes appetizers, entrees and desserts?
Step 4: Write down a rough draft of what you want each course to be. This will help you stay organized as you finalize your menu later on.
Step 5: Get feedback from your family and friends. If they have any suggestions or changes, be sure to write them down so that you can incorporate them into your final menu.
Once you’ve finalized your menu, put it into a format that will be easy for caterers to read. Some couples make one copy for each person who is helping with the wedding and keep one for their own records.
Spring Wedding Menu Ideas
Spring is a great time of year to get married. The weather is nice, and it’s a time of renewal and growth. Whether you’re planning a small spring wedding ceremony or an extravagant affair, there are plenty of delicious menu options available to ensure your guests leave with full bellies and smiles on their faces.
Here are some delicious spring menu ideas:
Appetizers:
- Mini shrimp salad rolls
- Raspberry infused vinaigrette + mixed fruit salad
- Deconstructed bruschetta
- Assorted charcuterie board
Main Courses:
- Lightly seasoned trout with parsley-caper vinaigrette
- Herb roasted chicken and rice with fresh apricot
- Spring vegetable risotto
- Pastel colored macaroons
- Grilled rack of lamb with asparagus
- Orange-soy glazed scallops
Drinks:
- Mint Juleps
- Bellinis
- Champagne and raspberry sorbet
- Make-your-own Mimosas
- Flavor variants of lemonade
Desserts:
- Vintage wedding cake
- Simple cake + colored pompoms
- Lavender wedding cake
- Petit Fours
- Colorful candy bar
- Pop tarts
- Pick candy galore
Summer Wedding Menu Ideas
Summer is the season of outdoor weddings, barbecues and picnics. Summer is a great time to host a wedding because it’s beautiful outside!
The weather is warm but not too hot, there are fewer bugs than in spring or fall, and it’s easy to find pretty locations for your ceremony or reception (think: lakeside). You also don’t have to worry about bringing big pieces of equipment like heaters or tents; everything will be outdoors anyways! You can focus on creating an atmosphere that feels fun and relaxed.
Summer food tastes better outside too—think fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, grilled meats with homemade sauces—and these foods are generally very light so guests won’t feel too stuffed after dinner.
Appetizers:
- Antipasto display
- Frozen slices of watermelon
- Shrimp gazpacho
- Miniature crab cakes
Main course:
- Cheese with dressed lobster mac
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Shrimp and grits
- Grilled chicken with sweet summer vegetables
- Brisket with mashed potatoes
Drinks:
- Mai Tais
- Cocktail Paletas
- Sweet tea
- Basil Gimlets
- Cold sodas
Desserts:
- Simple and minimalist wedding cake
- Peach-blueberry cobbler
- Strawberry shortcake
- Ice cream sandwiches
- Snow cone cart
Fall Wedding Menu Ideas
Fall wedding menus are typically comprised of warm, comforting foods that are perfect for fall weather. These dishes can be served at the reception or even at your rehearsal dinner or engagement party. The following ideas include some great food items to consider as you plan your menu:
- Apple Coleslaw — This is a simple salad that’s easy to make and tastes delicious! It’s also vegan friendly if you use a vegan mayo substitute instead of regular mayo.
- Butternut Squash Soup — Creamy, rich soup is great for fall weather because it warms you up without needing any additional heat source like the oven or stovetop (which could be dangerous during an outdoor wedding).
- Cheese Board — A cheese board is a wonderful addition to any meal because everyone loves cheese! You can use different types of cheeses and mix them with nuts, fruits and other yummy treats like crackers or bread slices for extra flavor and crunchiness! If you choose strong flavors like blue cheese then try pairing it with sweet fruits like pears or apples so they complement each other nicely in every bite.
Appetizers:
- Cranberry and brie bites
- Filo tarts with spinach, pumpkin and pine nuts
- Potato leek soup shooters
- Bacon wrapped dates
- Sweet potato rounds and cheddar and chives toppings
Main courses:
- Roast potatoes+ grilled petit filet
- Roasted pork loin with sautéed apple slices
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Wild rice + Cornish game hen
- Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter sauce
Drinks:
- Moscow Mules
- Honeycrisp apple sangria
- Apple cider spiked with cinnamon
- Cinnamon rosemary old fashioned
- Hot apple cider
Desserts:
- DIY help yourself smores
- Indulgent chocolate cake
- Mini apple and pumpkin pies
- Spiced carrot cake
Winter Wedding Menu Ideas
The perfect winter wedding menu is an adventurous one. It’s time to get creative and try new things!
Soup, salad and bread
Start your meal off with a classic soup paired with a variety of breads. Your guests will enjoy the comfort of warming up their bellies before the rest of their meal comes out.
Chicken or fish entrée (or both!)
This is a great opportunity to bring in two different kinds of protein if you want people to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth—just make sure that they’re not too heavy on the same type of food so everyone gets enough variety. Vegetarians can also be accommodated by offering some form of dairy-free cheese alongside the meat platters; just make sure there’s enough for everyone!
Appetizers:
- Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup
- Baked Brie with blackberry compote
- Pancetta-wrapped asparagus
- Pear Bruschetta
- Butternut squash soup with bleu cheese
Main courses:
- Beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes
- Filet mignon with green beans
- Herb crusted lamb and mashed potatoes
- Chicken pot pie with winter vegetables
- Stuffed Portobello mushrooms
Signature drinks:
- Hot toddies
- Mulled wine
- Salted caramel white Russians
- Poinsettia spritz punch
- Sparkling apple cranberry juice
Desserts:
- Hot chocolate bar
- Donut Bar
- Red velvet cake
- Homemade Toffee
- Dark chocolate cake
13 Ways To Save Money On Wedding Foods And Drink
- Buy in bulk. Instead of purchasing each item individually, look for deals on ingredients or drinks.
- Make your own food and drinks. Prepare your own food and beverages to cut costs, especially if you have a large number of guests.
- Choose an off-peak season for your wedding to save money. Costs for venues, food, drinks, and other expenses tend to be higher during peak seasons, such as holidays, and lower during off-peak seasons, such as spring.
- Use local vendors whenever possible because they’re often cheaper than hiring out-of-town businesses or getting everything shipped in from another state.
- Look for deals online before booking any vendor services; make sure that whatever you choose has good reviews so that it will be worth paying extra money! Don’t forget about Yelp!
- Choose simple appetizers. While most people have a general understanding of how to cater a wedding, it is important to know how to prepare your own appetizers or choose simple options to save 30-50% on your budget.
- Don’t choose a sit-down dinner. In recent years, there has been a shift towards wedding receptions that feature menus that allow guests to move around. Rather than opting for a traditional sit-down dinner, many couples now prefer a more casual, stand-up reception with simple, easy-to-eat food options. This can also save on costs for rentals, catering, servers, and multi-course meals. Appetizers are a popular choice for a stand-up reception meal.
- Use seasonal foods. Using seasonal foods for your wedding can be beneficial in terms of cost. These foods are often less expensive, as well as being fresher and requiring less logistics. As opposed to non-seasonal foods that can be more costly and may need to be transported from out of state.
- Make sure your venue allows outside catering for your own wedding. Self-catering or negotiating with vendors of your choice can provide a variety of budget-friendly options for your wedding menu. Be sure to confirm that your venue allows for the use of an external catering service. Some venues may have a policy of requiring the use of their in-house catering or drinks.
- Opt for a minimalistic wedding cake design. A castle or Eiffel Tower themed cake may be visually stunning, but it can also be quite costly. To save money, consider opting for a simpler design that is still beautiful. Remember, most guests will not remember or even eat the cake, so it’s a matter of balancing aesthetics and cost. Choosing a minimalistic design can be both beautiful and budget-friendly.
- Try a cupcake wedding cake. Cupcakes offer a cost-effective alternative to a traditional wedding cake and can be arranged in tiers for a visually pleasing display. Not only do they cost less, but they can also double as take-home wedding favors for guests. With cupcakes, you can have as many as you want, and you will save money on wedding cake.
- Limit open bar. It is recommended to have the bar open an hour before the reception starts or an hour before it ends. However, it is more practical to have it open from the start of the reception as guests tend to want a drink upon arrival and while mingling, rather than waiting until the end of the event.
- Serve wine and beer. Many guests may expect a well-stocked bar with a variety of alcohol options. To save money, consider using an alcohol calculator to determine how much beer and wine to provide, which are typically more budget-friendly options than hard liquor. This not only saves you money but also gives guests a choice of two options to choose from.
Our Favorite Wedding Menu Ideas
Ready to get inspired? Here are 26 of our favorite wedding menu ideas.
Crostini bar
These are perfect for brunch or lunch wedding menus. This is a very sophisticated yet cheap wedding food. The one that you can handle by yourself. DIY with friends or family. Then wash down with some wine or beer.
Mimosa bar
Make your guests happy with the sweet tongue calming mimosa bar that comes packed with alcohol. You can’t go wrong with mimosa bars for cakes, cookies, and biscuits. The best part is that it is popular and trending cheap wedding food.
Biscuits bar
The biscuits bar are perfect for an afternoon or evening wedding as people do not come to a wedding for breakfast. Buffets can also be served as dining experiences for guests. Try out different flavors for biscuits, such as chocolate, caramel, and others. These are food you can make yourself for your wedding.
Dessert bar
Make it fun for your guests to enjoy work dessert bars, especially if you are having an evening wedding. Make your own personal taste buds happy with traditional varieties such as cheesecake bars, cookies, lemon bars, and peanut butter bars. Serve the desserts with wine or premium beer.
Salsa bar
Salsa bars are great wedding food ideas that serve well and are cheap. You can easily DIY this with your family and friends. The sauce can be made in unending batches and finished with great toppings. It can be served buffet style, with bread crumbs, chips, or any other dessert you choose.
Pretzel Bar
Isn’t it good to have pretzels? Let your guests experience the ultimate experience with a self-serve bar. They can eat any pretzel they like and top them with sauces. We love this because it can be salty or sweet-just add different toppings such as caramel, hot mustard and blue cheese.
Mini Tacos and Margs
Make your wedding a full-blown celebration. Serve tacos in bite-sized portions and a mini bottle of mixed margarita. They are both small, so your party will not have a problem holding them during cocktail hour.
Dessert Truck
Prepare your own dessert table with a dessert truck instead. While we love freshly-scooped gelato, you can serve anything you desire. Consider doughnuts, freshly baked cookies, churros, or s’mores. The sky’s the limit!
Candy Buffet
It will be giddy with excitement for guests to have to take their own candy. Do you provide candies to guests? You can give them the choice of gifting as much as you want and even taking home to your wedding. Make the candies accessible in different forms, which will delight both kids and adults.
Seafood Station
A seafood station creates an exciting interactive experience for your guests. As much as we love oysters, they are the perfect balance of elegance and fun. While you serve a fresh oyster (complete with sauce), your guests can continue to mingle. The seafood here is whatever you prefer: lobster ravioli, sashimi or popcorn shrimp.
Sushi Station
Sushi lovers, this wedding menu idea sounds perfect for you. Your guests have complete control of how you set up a sushi station. They can also choose how many rolls they want and what kind of rolls they wish. Plus, it’s a fresh, light food that many people enjoy. Make sure to include several vegetable options if you have vegan or vegetarian guests attending your wedding.
Cheese Station
We enjoyed the cheese station. Make your guests choose a variety of cheeses she will love, complete with a selection of items to compliment it. The best snacks are crackers, freshly baked bread, fruit, vegetables, nut butter. Buffet-style so everyone can create their own platter.
BBQ & Beer
If your taste is a little too enticing, this foolproof pairing could suit you. BBQ staples like burgers, hot wings, pulled pork and pasta salad. Your guests can then choose a beer that you will accompany (we love these decorative mini bottles). There’s nothing like a backyard bash like this one ever did.
Fast Food
Forget the idea that you have to serve ultra-fancy food at your nuptials. Whether you’re hosting a casual celebration or an elegant wedding, an appearance of your favorite fast food will get the party going and immediately get everyone excited to dig in. Just the smell alone will have everyone’s mouths watering. Plus, it’s a unique way to put your own stamp on your wedding day.
Comfort Food Shooters
Make the food comfortable, but make it elegant. Having a bite-size slice of grilled cheese mixed with a small serving of tomato soup is a great way to keep your guests happy (or reach for more). Think mini shooters of BBQ mac and cheese or mini chicken and waffles with maple syrup.
Dim Sum
Whether the traditional Chinese meal is a nod to your cultural background, your love of travel or your personal taste in food, it’s bound to be a hit at your wedding. Dim Sum typically consists of a variety of different dishes your guests can sample and choose from. We especially love this option because it’s so interactive and customizable—your guests can build their own plate!
Charcuterie in a Cup
Everyone is obsessed with charcuterie tables. However, it can be difficult to serve yourself while there are crowds at the display. This creative wedding menu idea includes charcuterie in a cup. Give your loved ones a pre-made assortment of cheeses, meats, crackers, and fruits. 
Colorful Salad
Green salads at weddings don’t have to be boring. Work with your caterer to create a colorful mix of veggies that will entice your guests and keep them satisfied until the main course. Bonus points for tying the colors into your wedding’s color palette!
Fresh Poke
It can be your own twist on a fish dish with fresh poke. You can either have your guests create their own bowls or you can offer a selection of premade bowls. A unique way to serve seafood that your guests will love. Do you have vegetarian guests? You can provide them with a tofu bowl.
Dessert Remix
When it comes to your wedding dessert, we encourage you to think outside the box. An ice cream taco, for example, is a creative spin on two delicious foods. Other dessert mash-up ideas include brownies stuffed with oreos, s’mores cookies and ice cream cakes.
Seasonal Vegetable Dish
Serving up delicious vegetables for your wedding is the perfect way to celebrate the season. The roasted vegetable stack is a welcome change, and it will look stunning in pictures. What’s your next bonus? This dish can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their dietary restrictions. Serve it as a family-style main or served.
Caprese Kabobs
We love this inventive spin on traditional Caprese salad. Rather than serving it on a plate, place mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and balsamic on a skewer for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour.
Portable French Fries
We couldn’t make a roundup of wedding menu ideas without french fries! A popular late-night snack choice, this is a crown favorite. Elevate the snack food by serving it in small cups and accompanying sauce.
Bao Buns
Bao buns are a top pick because they’re so event-friendly. These wrapped buns are easy to hold and eat whether your guests are standing for cocktail hour or excitedly chatting at dinner. Plus, they’re an unexpected treat and highly Instagrammable.
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve learned some great tips for planning your wedding menu! It can be a lot of fun to think about, but also a little overwhelming—and we want to make sure that you feel confident in your choices. If you still have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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