Summer weddings are all about enjoying the warm weather and sunshine and celebrating the couple’s love outdoors. The food and drinks you serve should complement the laidback, fun atmosphere, so it’s important to offer a variety of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. You also need to account for the weather, as it may be warm or even hot on the day.
Here are nine creative catering ideas to make your summer wedding menu pop.
Taco Bar
Set up a “Build Your Own Taco” bar so guests have fun making their own unique combos. Let guests assemble tacos with soft tortillas, shredded chicken or beef, beans, salsas, guacamole, cheese, and all the fixings. The interactive station encourages mingling and is sure to be a hit.
Refreshing Watermelon
Make watermelon skewers drizzled with a honey-lime dressing for a light, refreshing appetizer. The sweet fruit suits the summer season perfectly and watermelon helps refresh those people who have overindulged on the booze.
Seafood Delight
Serve mini lobster rolls on buttery toasted buns for a taste of summer in New England. The petite rolls are easy to eat outdoors while mingling.
Set up a ceviche bar with fresh raw seafood like shrimp, scallops, and halibut “cooked” in citrus juice. Provide avocado, mango, peppers, onion, cilantro, and more for guests to top their portions.
Add a touch of playful indulgence to your culinary experience with the hanky panky appetizer, a delightful and flavorful dish that promises a delicious start to your meal, setting the tone for a memorable dining adventure.
Flavored Water Station
Infuse large dispensers of water with fruits like strawberries, peaches, lemons, limes, and basil to create refreshing flavored water for guests. Sliced cucumbers are another tasty addition.
Ice Cream
Make a DIY ice cream sundae bar with seasonal berries, warm chocolate and caramel sauces, crushed cookies or brownies, sprinkles, toasted nuts, and whipped cream. Let guests build their own sweet treats. For a more decadent ice cream sundae, use alcohol-infused ice cream and top with rum truffles.
Hire a Food Truck
Food trucks are idea for summer weddings. You can hire a local food truck to serve summer favorites like shrimp po’ boys, fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, or lobster rolls. This provides an easy main course guests will love. Why not book more than one food truck and have a few different options?
Cute Desserts
Serve mini key lime pies in cute shot glasses for a light, citrusy dessert. Top with whipped cream and a slice of lime if desired. There are plenty of other cute desserts you can make too, so experiment!
Fruit-Infused Summer Sangria
Offer a sangria bar with red wine, white wine, sparkling wine or rosé, and slices of nectarines, peaches, oranges, berries, mango, and pineapple for guests to mix their own combinations.
Delicious Donuts!
Set up a doughnut wall! Stack glazed, sprinkle-coated, cream-filled, and other fun doughnut varieties high on a tiered display for guests to grab throughout the event.
With fresh, flavorful food and interactive stations, you’re sure to keep your guests happy, fed, and having fun under the summer sun. Shake up the expected chicken and beef dishes with these creative catering ideas for a memorable warm-weather wedding.
