You’re finally planning the day you’ve waited for with the partner of your dreams. You’ve got the dress, the gorgeous and unique engagement ring, the venue, the photographer, the band, the date, and the invitations. Along with selecting colors, decorations, and a hundred other little details for the big day, you also need food.
What you serve at your wedding will leave a major impression on your guests, since taste is one of the strongest senses. You’ll want a traditional entrée with a vegetarian option for those with dietary restrictions. Use the following list of ideas to help you plan your food:
1. Lobster with Mashed Potatoes
Mix a little country with sophistication by serving lobster and mashed potatoes. These make a surprisingly delicious combo, especially when they’re both smothered in butter. Plus, they make a great pairing for cost-conscious planners.
Lobster is pricey, but potatoes are dirt cheap (pun intended). You can save big on the side dish while impressing your guests with the upscale protein.
Vegetarian Option: Mediterranean Grilled Seitan
Seitan is commonly called wheat gluten, and it’s been a popular meat substitute in Asian cuisine for thousands of years. It’s protein-dense, so it leaves your guests feeling full and satisfied. Using Mediterranean spices and a charcoal grill, you can whip up something even the non-vegetarian guests will want to eat.
2. Filet Mignon with Green Beans
“Mignon” is French for tender, delicate, or fine. It perfectly describes the meat from the smallest end of beef tenderloin, and it creates a simply mouthwatering meal. Those with a more rustic, country-themed wedding could serve this juicy cut of steak paired with green beans or another vegetable, and they would be perfectly catering to their audience.
Vegetarian Option: Mushroom Wellington
Mushroom is a common meat substitute, and it will go perfectly with your theme. Like beef wellington, it’s crusted in a flaky, tender pastry, but instead of beef, you’ll use mushrooms. Throw in a few onions, spinach leaves, sprigs of thyme, and Dijon mustard, and you have an amazing meal.
3. Tex Mex Burrito Bowls
If you live near the border (or you just love the food there), embrace the Tex Mex meals that restaurants like Chipotle and Pancheros have made famous. Offer a burrito bowl buffet where guests can choose their own ingredients to create a filling meal. You might offer a choice of chicken, steak, or pork followed with tortillas, rice, beans, pico de gallo, cilantro, corn, lime, and a zesty dressing.
Vegetarian Option: Meatless Burrito Bowls
This option makes the perfect wedding meal because guests can leave out the meat. There’s no need to make a separate entree to appease those with this dietary restriction because they can make their own.
4. Chicken and Waffles
Brides and grooms who simply can’t get enough of that Southern cuisine and casual living can serve chicken and waffles at their wedding. It’s a fun, unique meal for anyone having the shabby-chic southern theme for their wedding. Plus, it’s cheap and easy to serve.
Vegetarian Option: Waffle Bar
Deck out a full waffle bar for your vegetarian guests with a variety of toppings. You might serve fresh berries and whipped cream, an array of syrups, nut butter, and other mouthwatering options. Make the topping bar open to all of your guests, including those who get chicken as well.
5. Wood-Fired Pizza
Hire a catering company to cook wood-fired pizzas on site. The smell of warm bread and bubbling cheese will waft through the reception hall, making everyone’s taste buds tingle. Serve the pizza family style, allowing guests to choose their favorites from an array of options.
Vegetarian Option: Veggie Pizza
Of course, you’ll want to include a few vegetarian pizza options. Try unique flavors like mushrooms, garlic, mint, pesto, or sundried tomatoes. You could also take custom orders for vegan guests.
Any of the meals on this list are certain to interest guests from all walks of life. They’re delicious, unique, and will certainly be memorable! In order for the wedding to run smoothly check out the ultimate wedding planning checklist here.
