Lyla Dejesus
Planning a wedding reception menu can be challenging, especially when it comes to an afternoon wedding. The first thing to consider is the vibe you want to create. Will it be a formal sit-down meal, or would you prefer guests to serve themselves from a buffet? Next, you should decide on the type of food. If your wedding is at a traditional mealtime, a full menu is key, but for an afternoon wedding, you may want to opt for lighter fare, such as finger foods, passed hors d'oeuvres, or a unique concept like a waffle bar or build-your-own-burger station. Don't forget to include drinks and dessert!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vibe | Cocktail hour, casual, intimate, elegant, playful, formal |
| Service style | Buffet, served by waiters, served by chefs, self-service |
| Menu style | Traditional, Italian, Southern, barbecue, allergy-friendly, couple's favourite foods |
| Food | Finger foods, hors d'oeuvres, light bites, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie, cheese, fruit, desserts, ice cream, gelato, pizza, pasta, seafood, beef, chicken, waffles, pancakes, omelettes, mini quiches, cookies, pies, cake, cannolis |
| Drinks | Cocktails, mimosas, Bloody Marys, lemonade, light drinks |
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What You'll Learn
Brunch-style meal
A brunch-style wedding reception is a unique concept that offers a wide range of food options and a relaxed vibe. If you're considering a brunch-style meal for your afternoon wedding reception, here are some ideas and suggestions to make it a memorable event:
Timing and Guest Communication:
Brunch wedding receptions typically take place in the late morning or early afternoon, following a morning ceremony. It's important to consider the challenges that an early start may pose for your guests, especially those with work or family obligations. Clear communication about timelines is key. Let your guests know what to expect in terms of timing and food service.
Food Options:
A brunch-style meal offers a variety of delicious options. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Waffles, Pancakes, and Omelet Stations: Create interactive and engaging food stations where guests can customize their own waffles, pancakes, or omelets. This adds a fun element to the dining experience.
- French Toast Bar: Set up a French toast bar with an assortment of toppings, allowing guests to create their perfect combination.
- Breakfast Classics: Offer a selection of breakfast favorites such as bagels, frittatas, fresh fruit, doughnuts, and croissants.
- Sweet Treats: Indulge your guests' sweet tooth with an assortment of jams, syrups, and fresh fruits. Mini desserts or a smaller cake, such as an angel food cake or coffee cake, can also be offered.
- Beverages: Stick to light and refreshing drinks. Offer a variety of teas, coffee, infused waters (such as cucumber water or lemon-mint water), and perhaps a mimosa bar or Bloody Mary bar for those who want something stronger.
Decor and Ambiance:
A brunch wedding is generally more casual, so consider decor that reflects this vibe. Instead of formal centerpieces, use wildflowers in mason jars or opt for a food bar instead of a traditional sit-down meal or buffet. If your brunch wedding is outdoors, parasols can be a practical and charming addition, offering shade and a unique prop for photos.
Entertainment:
Lawn games such as bocce, croquet, and cornhole are excellent ways to entertain your guests during the daytime reception. If you plan to have dancing, keep in mind that the vibe may be different from a nighttime celebration.
Cake and Dessert:
Consider a smaller, lighter cake such as an angel food cake or a breakfast-style treat like doughnuts or crepe cakes. If you prefer a more traditional option, a small, one-tier wedding cake can be saved for your wedding anniversary.
Remember, a brunch wedding reception allows for creativity and a relaxed atmosphere. Work with your caterer to create a menu that reflects your favorite breakfast and brunch foods, and don't be afraid to add unique touches that reflect your personality as a couple!
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Finger foods
Savoury Options:
- Chicken skewers or hot wings
- Bruschetta
- Mini quiches
- Sandwiches or gourmet sandwich bars with a variety of artisan breads, deli meats, and toppings
- Baked potatoes, potato salad, or potato paves
- Kabobs or skewers
- Salads, such as a colourful Hawaiian-inspired salad with poached pears
- Charcuterie cones or boards
- Pizza with unique toppings, such as smoked salmon pizza with dill crème fraîche and caviar
- Lobster rolls
- Wontons
- Shrimp or crab legs
- Dippable options, such as pressed chicken thighs with garlic aioli and pickled beets
- Individual picnic baskets with miniature cheese boards, mason jar salads, and easy-to-eat entrées like salmon or vegetables
Sweet Options:
- Mini milkshake shots with chocolate chip cookie dippers
- Waffles with fresh fruits, jams, and syrups
- Gelato or ice cream
- Pies, such as fresh strawberry pie
- Cookies
- Cobbler with vanilla ice cream
- Wedding cake
- Cannolis
When planning your menu, consider the time of your reception and whether your guests will be expecting a larger meal. You may want to include a variety of options to ensure that your guests have enough to eat and can cater to different dietary preferences or restrictions.
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Buffet
If you're serving food at an afternoon wedding, it's probably best to stick to lighter fare and finger foods. A buffet is a great option for an informal reception, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
For a unique twist on the classic charcuterie board, you could serve antipasto charcuterie cones, which are completely gluten-free. You could also set up a pizza station with unique toppings, like smoked salmon pizza with dill crème fraîche and caviar. For a more substantial option, a paella is a traditional and delicious choice.
If you're looking for something more brunch-style, consider a waffle, pancake, or omelette station, with mini quiches and a mimosa bar. Add fresh fruits, jams, and syrups for guests with a sweet tooth. For a heartier option, a sandwich bar with artisan bread, fancy deli meats, and gourmet mustards is always a crowd-pleaser.
If you're serving alcohol, you may want to opt for more substantial options, such as a BBQ or fajita buffet. And don't forget dessert! A full dessert buffet with wedding cookies, cheesecake, cobbler, and wedding cake will surely satisfy your guests' sweet cravings.
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Drinks
When it comes to drinks at an afternoon wedding reception, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the time of day and the vibe you want to create. If your wedding is at 2 pm or 3 pm, guests may not be ready for a full, large meal, so you might want to stick to finger foods and drinks. In this case, you could offer a selection of cocktails or mocktails, depending on your preference. You could even have a mimosa bar!
If you're serving alcohol, it's a good idea to provide some non-alcoholic options as well, like lemonade, iced tea, or fruit-infused water. For a summer wedding, consider offering a selection of cold drinks, such as craft beer, rose wine, or a signature cocktail. If you're having a winter wedding, warm drinks like mulled wine or hot toddies might be more appropriate.
For a more casual affair, you could set up a self-serve drink station with a variety of options, including beer, wine, soft drinks, and maybe a fun, themed cocktail. This can be a great way to involve your guests in the celebrations and create a relaxed atmosphere.
If you want to add a touch of elegance, you could offer a champagne toast or serve signature cocktails inspired by your favourite spirits and flavours. For a playful twist, consider a build-your-own cocktail station with various spirits, mixers, and garnishes. This can be a fun way to involve your guests and create a unique drinking experience.
Remember, the most important thing is to choose drinks that you and your partner enjoy. Whether you opt for a classic cocktail hour or a more intimate celebratory toast, your guests will appreciate the thought and effort put into the drink selections.
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Dessert
If you're looking for something more interactive and unique, why not try a dessert bar or food stations with a variety of sweet options? This can include a waffle bar with toppings, an assortment of pies, or even a build-your-own-dessert option. For a playful twist, set up a pizza station with unique toppings, like a smoked salmon pizza with dill crème fraîche and caviar.
For a more elegant option, consider individual meals served in picnic baskets, including miniature cheese boards with sweet treats, or mason jar desserts such as parfaits. If you want to stick to tradition, a full dessert buffet is always a good idea. This could include wedding cookies, cheesecake, cobbler, and of course, the wedding cake.
If your wedding has a cultural theme, you can incorporate that into your dessert choices. For example, a Hawaiian-inspired salad with poached pears or Italian gelato served from a bike.
No matter what you choose, make sure it reflects your style as a couple, and don't forget to keep your guests informed about what to expect!
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ideas for food to serve at an afternoon wedding reception:
- Finger foods
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Light bites
- Waffles
- Pancakes
- Mini quiches
- Charcuterie cones
- Pizzas
- Sandwiches
- Salads
It depends on the time of the reception. If the reception is between 3 PM and 4 PM, you may want to stick to finger foods and appetizers. If the reception is earlier, around 2 PM, you may want to consider serving a fuller meal or a heartier spread of snacks so that guests can make a meal of it.
Some examples of a full meal to serve at an afternoon wedding reception include a BBQ, a pasta dish, or a traditional luncheon with chicken or fish. If you're looking for something more unique, you could try a waffle bar, an omelet station, or a build-your-own-pizza station.
Some heartier snack options to serve at an afternoon wedding reception include a sandwich bar with a variety of toppings, a charcuterie board, or a variety of appetizers like bruschetta, chicken skewers, or hot wings.
Some beverage options to serve at an afternoon wedding reception include cocktails, mimosas, lemonade, or light drinks. If you're serving brunch items, you may want to offer mimosas or Bloody Marys.
