How to Choose Your Wedding Menu?

One might be forgiven for forgetting something, or several things, when planning and preparing for a wedding. The wedding food is one detail that is often disregarded by newlyweds. Couples often conclude too late that they have no idea what they want for their wedding dinner and end up accepting the catering or venue's default options.

This is why most wedding menus are predictable and lacklustre, and are typically prepared with only so-so skill. I'm crossing my fingers that you'll decide to do something different and original. The question is, "How?" By getting a head start and giving serious thought to every detail.

With more and more partners coming forwards as self-proclaimed foodies, couples are increasing the stakes when it comes to planning their wedding menu. You may find caterers and venues that offer anything from the traditional five-course meal complete with wines and petit fours and coffee to an international buffet fit for a cultural festival.

But the abundance of options presents a difficult decision: what to serve at a wedding when you may have virtually whatever you want? To that end, we've produced a list of the most vital suggestions we could think of when it comes to selecting the food for your wedding reception.

Where Should You Start When Planning Your Wedding Menu?

Similar to the difficulty inherent in selecting the perfect wedding venue, deciding on the food to be served may be a lengthy and involved process. In no particular order, below are the most crucial details:

• Initiate preparations at once. The importance of giving yourself ample time to think things through is shown above. Due to a lack of forethought and preparation, many engaged couples find themselves making a plethora of decisions at the eleventh hour. To put it plainly, there's always that one aunt who decides two days before the big day that she wants to forego meat and dairy products altogether.
• Discover the things that you share a passion for as a couple. It's crucial that you and your date enjoy the food you order. That you're both happy with it, or at least not dissatisfied. You can do this easily by providing your wedding caterer or chef with a list of your dislikes. This is what he or she will have to do without in order to get the job done.
• A financial plan for you. Unfortunately, the budget needs to be considered at every stage of the process, which is why we didn't include it first. Don't waste your money, even if you have an unlimited supply of it; instead, create a spending plan and stick to it religiously.
• To expand the range of possible dishes, try to think beyond the box. A single, multi-course dinner is not typical during the conventional wedding reception. However, this is not inevitable. A growing number of weddings, however, choose for less conventional menu options including an outdoor standing buffet, multiple smaller meals spread throughout the day to accommodate the lengthy ceremony and reception, or a combination of these. Basically, if you're going to have a "strange" wedding, you might as well have a "weird" meal as well.
  Is outside catering prefered, or will you make do with what the venue provides? Using the venue's kitchen and the staff there usually presents the least complicated option. Spending less time and energy on something is the best alternative, but it's usually the worst choice.
• Kitchens in permanent venues are usually rigid and limited in their options. Although most wedding venues do not permit outside food services, working with a caterer you enjoy can help you create a menu that is uniquely yours.
• Determine the likes and dislikes of your expected guests in advance. This is crucial in light of their possible food sensitivities as well as their nutritional choices. Most event kitchens and caterers are familiar with how to prepare food safely for those with food allergies. Even so, it's a good idea to check with each visitor individually to ensure you're catering to their needs in terms of food allergies and preferences. Things like these can be really bothersome if you have to do them in the midst of the wedding preparations, but they are not an issue if you still have months to go. This is why it is so important to start planning as soon as possible.
• Providing a wider range of options is always preferable. There are usually only a few food choices available at most wedding locations and from most caterers. It may be more difficult and expensive to find a caterer who offers a wide variety of food and service options, but your guests will much appreciate the effort.
• Do your best to serve generous helpings. A common complaint about wedding meals is that the portions are too small. Make sure the food is both delicious and plentiful if you want your guests to have a good time at your wedding and, more specifically, to stay on the dance floor the entire time.
• The time of year is also significant. When planning a wedding months in advance, it's tempting to neglect the upcoming season when making decisions regarding the food to be served at the reception. Having a wedding in the winter or spring requires some extra thought to ensure that the food served is appropriate.

Consider what special touches you can make to the food. If you were planning to serve the same boring food at your wedding that everyone else serves, you probably wouldn't be here right now reading this post. To make your wedding menu truly special for you and your guests, consider including some of your own ideas and preferences. Common ways to personalise the tables and the menu include the inscriptions on the cake and the customised napkins, but you may also get creative with these elements. Read on as I break down a few of them for you.

Specifically, What do You Prefer to Eat?

If you have a hard time placing orders at restaurants, planning the food for your wedding will be even more of a challenge. What do you choose, a quick snack, a bigger meal, or something to completely spoil yourself with? Do you prefer fish, meat, or spicy food? Do you stick to tried-and-true flavours, or experiment with something new?

Choosing dishes that you and your partner both enjoy eating together is the simplest method to narrow down your options. You shouldn't try to change your first meal as husband and wife because one of you isn't a fan of fish and there's only one main entrée on the menu.

If you and your soon-to-be spouse don't share the same culinary preferences, you may still have a wonderful wedding reception by providing guests with a menu that includes multiple options for each dish.

Do You Think it Will be Enjoyable For Your Guests?

We agree that you should prioritise your own happiness on your wedding day, but we also know that you'll need to spend a pretty penny to keep all your guests fed. You can make the most of your budget and make sure your visitors have as much fun as you do by serving food that is liked by the majority of them. For this reason, it may be preferable to steer clear of particularly strong flavours or fatty foods.

It's also important to pick caterers who can accommodate attendees with food allergies or special diets by having them reveal them in advance. As a visitor, there is nothing more disappointing than sitting down to a lavish three-course meal, only to find out that you can't eat any of the items on the menu.

What Kind of Breakfast Food Would You Like at Your Wedding?

Fine-tune your wedding menu by including the dining experience once you've narrowed down your flavour profiles and dish selections based on what you enjoy and what will work for your guests.

While the days of a mandatory sit-down banquet have passed, many modern couples still choose to honour their guests with a three- or four-course dinner during their wedding reception. Picnics, barbecues, and buffets are commonplace during casual outdoor wedding receptions. Those who have a penchant for sweets may choose to combine tradition with modernity and enjoy an afternoon tea.

Why not have more than three food stations if you want to enjoy a worldwide feast but don't want to settle for just that? A wide variety of foods, from popcorn and hot dogs to sushi and curries, are available. There will be something for everyone because they can accommodate a wide range of preferences and cultural norms.

Tips for Deciding on a Wedding Menu.

Budget

The first step in arranging a wedding, as with any other event, is to determine how much money you have to work with. Know your budget before you start picking out appetisers and entrees for the wedding reception.

The Total Number of Invitees

The number of expected guests also has an impact on the dishes that can be served. More people in attendance means more stomachs to fill. Spending less each dish is one way to cut costs. A more lavish meal is certainly doable if your finances allow for it.

Method of Service

The wedding meal will be heavily influenced by the type of catering service you go for. To save money, choose cocktail catering, which includes finger foods like sliders, veggie skewers, and crostini. The opposite extreme is the formal, but more expensive, plated meal. When it comes to them, the possibilities are practically unlimited, therefore the sky's the limit in terms of wedding food concepts.

Talk to Your Food Provider

If coming up with a meal is giving you more headaches than laughs, you might choose to hire a caterer. In addition to being well-versed in the latest wedding cuisine trends, they will also likely have dozens of delicious dish suggestions for your menu. They may also be able to suggest less expensive alternatives, such as food station ideas, that will help bring the price of your plates down. Have a look at these suggestions if you're unsure about the kinds of questions you should be asking. Here is a list of the best Melbourne caterers available for weddings.

Ceremony Theme

While it's not required, it's a pleasant touch if the wedding reception's meal reflects the event's theme. A buffet or family-style lunch featuring dishes like roasted new potatoes, mac and cheese, salads, and fried green tomatoes would be perfect for a country farm wedding. Is it an event for which you've sought a more refined setting? Possibly go for a more elegant plate lunch with a primary, such as grilled ahi tuna steaks with seasonal vegetables.

Harmonize Your Meals With Your Partner

A second possibility is to make your meals more meaningful by having them represent milestones in your love story. You may include a cereal bar, which is now trendy, if the two of you enjoy eating breakfast together. You could have pizza, pasta, and arancini at your reception if you got engaged in Italy. It's fine to get creative, but don't go crazy with the flavour combinations.

Eat What's In Season

Because of our four distinct seasons, we have access to a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables (and at what cost). Those who choose to tie the knot in the winter can take advantage of winter squashes and other root vegetables, while those who choose to wed in the summer can enjoy an abundance of fresh fruits and greens. And here's some good news: planning your wedding cuisine around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients will also reduce your environmental impact.

Restricted Dietary Options

Some of your guests are likely to have special dietary needs. Getting this information as soon as possible is crucial so that you don't cause unnecessary drama during your reception by, for example, unintentionally offering meat to a vegan buddy. Caterers are usually willing to take on the extra effort of making special dishes for them, but they will need to know in advance so that they can stock up on the necessary ingredients. Leave room on the wedding RSVP card for guests to mention any food allergies or intolerances to save yourself the trouble of personally asking each guest.

One More Reason to Celebrate!

You shouldn't go crazy, but ordering a couple more dishes than you normally would is a decent plan. You can't predict how hungry your guests will be, so it's smart to have some extra food on hand. Don't go to the open bar hungry, and don't leave the party grumpy. Suggestion: have some late-night munchies ready so your guests don't get hungry.

You Can't Afford to be Thirsty, so Bring Some Beverages.

Make sure you've also worked out the details of the open bar (or cash bar) beforehand. Everything from getting a liquor licence to creating trademark cocktails should be taken into account.

Where Can We Find Inspiration for a Truly Unforgettable Wedding Menu?

It can be difficult to find inspiration in the weeks or days leading up to a wedding because of all the pressure you'll be under. However, if you find that you have a little extra time on your hands, you may want to put part of it towards considering how you may spice up the food options for your wedding. If you're looking for some good ideas, you might find them here:

Culture and Ancestry

One of the most varied countries in the world, with people from literally every continent represented. Why not look for that something special by learning more about your and your partner's ethnic background? Perhaps you share a Nigerian grandpa with him or her and a Polish grandmother. Couldn't there be some other interesting ethnic blend that could be used to create a special menu? We aren't suggesting that you take a DNA test to determine your ancestry, but it's certainly something to consider.

Culinary Themes

The two of you should share a common interest. Maybe you both have a shared appreciation for a specific style of music, era of history, or imaginary realm. An wonderful idea to commemorate the beginning of your married life is to prepare a meal based on a shared interest.

Remembrance-Inducing Dishes

It's also a great idea to design your wedding food around a special location that holds special meaning for the two of you. Did the two of you first meet in a unique location, whether it was abroad or in a different state? Or perhaps there was a particular eatery where you both first met? The two of you may make it even more memorable by making this the main course at your wedding.

Delicious

Food, like anything else, may be utilised to tell a tale. As an added bonus, nearly everyone has a fascinating anecdote about the food they grew up with. If you can't think of a family story involving food, it's probably because you didn't pay attention the seventeen times your grandma told you about the time she met your granddad. Your busy schedule prevents you from giving adequate attention to wedding preparations. Avoid the hassle and look into our directory of Melbourne wedding planners to have someone else handle the details.

If you and your sweetheart didn't meet in a restaurant, the food you ate together may still have a story to tell. Perhaps you used to make jokes about a strange culinary combo, such as whiskey-soaked cookies. How romantically funny it would be to add that to the wedding buffet, much to the chagrin of the caterer and your parents! Actually, the point of the ceremony is to honour the bride and groom.