A wedding is a celebration of love, and nothing brings people together like a beautifully crafted meal. The menu pays a pivotal role in making your celebration memorable, and when it comes to a festive wedding there are so many ways to elevate your menu to make it not only delicious but also truly festive. From canapés to desserts, here’s how you can create the perfect festive wedding menu that will delight your guests and leave them talking about it for years to come.
A Light Bite
The canapés at a festive wedding are an opportunity to excite the taste buds and set the tone for the meal to come. Think seasonal ingredients, colourful platters, and festive flavours.
If you’re opting for something warm and hearty, choose wild mushroom sausage rolls with beetroot ketchup, cheddar cheese choux puffs or melting brie bites with cranberry jam. These make for beautiful bites that will leave your guests feeling toasty and well fed.
Or if you’re after some lighter bites that are refreshing yet showcasing the best seasonal produce. For instance, dauphinoise potato bites with crème fraiche, smoked salmon blinis with dill mascarpone and lemon pearls or bang bang turkey tacos, with guacamole, pink picked onion, Japanese mayonnaise, and tomato salsa. All easy to grab whilst mingling, whilst being just as light and tasty.
The Entrée
The starter is the first impression of the food to come, so it should feel like showcase of the best seasonal ingredients and flavours, whilst being nice and light.
- Cured Meats: Cured meats are perfect for a festive themed sharing starter. Include flavourful options like chorizo, salami and parma ham, pair with mini pickles and capers to add some contrasting crunch.
- Chicken Liver Parfait: A traditional option, a chicken liver parfait is certain to get your guests in the festive spirit. Pair with a thick sourdough bread and pots of sweet red onion marmalade to add until your heart’s desire.
- Cheese Souffle: A simple yet traditional choice, perfect to warm the palette. A cheese and spinach souffle with a thick cheese sauce is the perfect balance of simple and indulgent. Opt to accompany with bread to make use of that extra cheese sauce.
The Main Event
The main course at a festive wedding should feel like an indulgent celebration of flavour, featuring seasonal ingredients that showcase the best of the season.
- Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings: A traditional yet festive option, roast turkey is a timeless wedding dish, especially when paired with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce. From honey roasted carrots, to dauphinoise potatoes, this is an indulgent dish with each and every accompaniment.
- Beef Wellington: For those who prefer beef, a show-stopping Beef Wellington will add sophistication and festive flair. The rich flavours of beef pair wonderfully with, roasted vegetables, and a flavourful red wine sauce.
- Herb-Crusted Lamb: Lamb, with its tender meat and robust flavour, is a wonderful choice for a festive wedding menu. A herb-crusted rack of lamb, served with minted peas and a honey glazed carrot, adds an elegant touch and is perfect for winter months when guests crave a hearty, flavourful meal.
- Vegetarian options: For guests with dietary restrictions or preferences, offer some festive vegetarian or vegan mains. Consider dishes like a roasted vegetable tart, mushroom risotto with truffle oil, or a mushroom and spinach wellington, where the flavours are rich, comforting, and completely satisfying.
Sides
Sides at a festive wedding should complement the main course and offer a range of flavours and textures. Think hearty, comforting dishes with a touch of luxury.
- Roasted Root Vegetables: Root vegetables like carrots and parsnips are not only a visually striking addition to the table but are also seasonal and full of flavour. Roasted and glazed with honey these vegetables offer sweetness and depth.
- Indulgent Potatoes: Dauphinoise potatoes are a classic choice, pairing perfectly with a rich meat, these offer a luxurious feel to any festive menu. If feeling a little more traditional, opt for roasted potatoes, cooked in goose fat, and sprinkled with thyme and rosemary.
- Stuffing: A traditional holiday stuffing, filled with sausage, cranberries, chestnuts, or apples, makes for a delicious and hearty side dish. Pair with your dish of choice and customise its elements to reflect your main dish.
- Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts have made a comeback in recent years, and their nutty flavour and crispy texture, when roasted with bacon or balsamic vinegar, make them a wonderful side dish.
The Sweet Stuff
The dessert table is often one of the most anticipated parts of the wedding meal, and at a festive wedding, it should be as joyful and indulgent as the rest of the celebration.
- Bûche de Noël: A Showstopping sharing Bûche de Noël (Yule log), complete with buttercream and festive decorations, will captivate your guests. These cakes feel comforting and holiday-inspired, making them perfect for a festive wedding.
- Clementine Posset: For a lighter, refreshing dessert, serve a clementine posset. It’s tangy, sweet, and offers a burst of citrus that is ideal for cleansing the palate after a rich meal. You can serve it in individual cups or in a large bowl, garnished with a contrasting cinnamon shortbread.
- Miniature Mince Pies: Mini pies are an adorable and customizable option for dessert. Offer flavours like apple, pecan, or pumpkin for a classic winter touch, or try something more decadent like chocolate tarts with a salted caramel drizzle.
Creating a festive wedding menu is about embracing the season and crafting a culinary experience that reflects the warmth, joy, and celebration of the occasion. From canapés to desserts, each dish should not only taste delicious but also look stunning on the table. By incorporating seasonal ingredients, flavours, and traditions, you’ll ensure that your wedding menu is memorable and truly festive. So, whether you’re celebrating a winter wonderland wedding or simply want to infuse the spirit of the season into your special day, these festive menu ideas will leave your guests full, happy, and ready to dance the night away!