Let’s be honest, wedding food gets people talking. It’s one of the things guests actually remember—and judge. But planning what to serve, when to serve it, and how to feed a crowd without spending your entire budget can be a bit of a juggling act. Here’s how to approach your wedding food, from the first canapé to the last midnight chip.

Decide What Kind of Food Experience You Want

Before picking dishes, think about the kind of vibe you want. A formal sit-down meal? A relaxed sharing-style dinner? Street food vans in a field? There’s no right answer, just what suits your venue, your guests and your personality as a couple.

Also consider the time of day. A 1pm ceremony calls for a full meal; a late afternoon one might work with a big buffet and evening snacks instead. And don’t forget your values. If you're all about seasonal or plant-based eating, let your menu reflect that.

Planning the Main Meal

Once you’ve settled on the overall style, it's time to get into the details. For a sit-down meal, most caterers will suggest a starter, main and dessert, with two or three choices per course. Keep it simple—the more options, the more complicated (and expensive) it gets.

Always include a vegetarian or vegan choice, and make sure dietary needs are properly covered. If your caterer is good, they’ll help with alternatives that don’t feel like an afterthought. It’s also worth asking about seasonal ingredients—they’re usually fresher and better value.

Popular choices include slow-cooked beef, roast chicken with herb stuffing, sea bass with lemon and dill, or butternut squash risotto. For starters, consider things like goat’s cheese tartlets, smoked salmon blinis, or soup with artisan bread. Dessert-wise, sticky toffee pudding, lemon tart, and chocolate fondant are always crowd-pleasers.

Canapés: The Little Bites with Big Impact

Guests often arrive hungry, especially if they've travelled or skipped lunch. Canapés help keep people going while you’re off having photos taken. Around 4–6 options is plenty.

Try to cover a mix of meat, veggie and something fun. Think mini Yorkshire puds with beef and horseradish, beetroot tartlets, halloumi skewers, duck pancakes, arancini balls, or Thai-style prawn bites. You could also offer something interactive, like a DIY crostini board or a build-your-own bao bun station.

Evening Food and Midnight Snacks

After a few hours of dancing (and drinking!), people get peckish again. Evening food doesn’t have to be elaborate—in fact, the simpler the better.

Pizza vans are a crowd-pleaser, and things like toasties, chips, mini burgers, mac and cheese pots, sausage rolls or fish finger sandwiches go down really well. For something a bit different, consider a taco bar, bacon baps, or a crêpe cart. If you're on a tight budget, you don’t need to cater for everyone again—plan for around 60–70% of guests still being there and wanting food.

Managing Dietary Requirements

Get dietary info with your RSVPs and keep a clear list. Share it with your caterer in good time—ideally a month before.

For buffets or grazing tables, ask for clear signage or allergy symbols. And have a couple of backup veggie or gluten-free portions just in case someone forgets to mention their needs (it happens).

Keeping It Economical

Food can be a big chunk of the budget, but there are ways to keep it under control.

Choosing seasonal, local ingredients tends to cost less and taste better. Family-style sharing dishes can work out cheaper than plated courses. And if you’re having canapés, you might skip the starter altogether.

For dessert, keep it simple. One plated option and a help-yourself sweet table is a good balance—think mini brownies, flapjacks, doughnuts, or meringue kisses. And if you’re offering drinks, consider serving wine with dinner and opening the bar later on—a full open bar from the start adds up fast.

So when it comes to food, start with the kind of day you want to have, then build the menu around that. Make it practical, make it personal … as long as there’s something tasty to eat and enough of it, your guests will be happy.