Planning the menu for your wedding is a yummy but daunting task…throw in hot weather and you just made your dining decisions  a bit more difficult. A summer wedding is an ideal choice for many couples, and why not…the days are longer, the color palettes stunning and the floral choices abundant.  When dining in the summer, especially, al fresco, menu choices need to be carefully considered.  You want your guests to indulge, but should consider that oftentimes during the warm weather our appetites are smaller; so sparking their interest with fresh ideas is important when curating your menu.  Read on for some summer approved cuisine concepts that will leave your mouth watering.

Keep It Fresh and Light

Produce is plentiful in the summer months; using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables is key when curating your menu.  Grilled vegetables, fresh fruit skewers, stuffed zucchini, honey tomato bruschetta, seasonal vegetable kabobs and arugula salad can be a part of your cocktail hour or entree menu.   During the summer months, there are so many delicious fruits and vegetables that are at their peak; selecting dishes that incorporate these ripe ingredients will create a fresher, more flavorful spread. The beauty of incorporating fresh produce to your table is that it offers an array of colors and flavors. Furthermore, the idea of bountiful fruits and vegetables invites the notion of farm to table, and nothing embraces that more than the summer season…who can say no that?

Finger Foods

Perfect for cocktail hour or late night snacks after dancing the night away, finger foods are fast and easy. When serving finger foods, however, remember that presentation is key so think beyond classic “snacky” type foods.  Some great ideas to pique your guest’s fancy include various flatbreads, skirt steak and kimchi mini tacos, bite-sized lobster rolls, fried chicken sliders with coleslaw, or charcuterie cones. Small passed finger foods give the notion of a summer hang out…a perfect environment for fun in the sun.

Make it Interactive

Make your guests’ experience memorable by creating interactive bars and stations.  Your friends and family can mix and mingle while eating.  There are no limitations to this great menu addition, made even more fun in the summer months.  When planning, think about what summer foods interest you… then let your caterer get creative with elevating them. A wood fire pizza station is another great idea where guests can choose their toppings.  More options include a sushi station, oyster boats overflowing with chilled seafood options, a soft pretzel wall with all the dips you can imagine and for dessert an ice cream sundae, waffle or donut bar.  Making food fun at your wedding is a great way to get your guests up and moving and trying new things. It also gives your guests the option to eat when they want instead of sitting down for a heavy meal in the heat of summer.

Glamourous Grazing

Normal grazing tables are generally huge charcuterie boards, but we love the idea of fresh fruits and vegetables overflowing with dips and crackers. This beautiful bounty will embrace the essence of summer time freshness.  Grazing boards are also a “sweet” idea when it comes to desserts.  Not everyone wants to eat a slice of cake so offer a variety of confections to satisfy the sweet tooth. The idea of a grazing board is to have an assortment of colors, textures and flavors giving your guests the vision of abundant choices and endless possibilities.  Selecting a menu that will withstand the high temperatures, will give your guests the chance to nibble as the day goes on without making them feel like they need to sit down for a full, often hefty meal. 

Cool Desserts

Now you are speaking our language…when it comes to planning a party, dessert options should always be plentiful in our opinion. And while nothing beats a traditional cake cutting ceremony, summer is definitely the best time of year to go overboard with saccharine surprises.  It goes without saying that any frozen treat will be welcomed in the summer heat.  Infused ice pops, mini ice cream cones and cups of sorbet can be offered before the ceremony, throughout cocktail hour and during the reception if it is a particularly hot day.  Keeping your guests cool is a no brainer when it comes to frozen desserts.  

Desserts infused with sweet berries and fruits will capture the flavors of the season. Fresh fruit kebabs, cheesecake topped with fresh fruits and various pies and fruit tarts are a great way to incorporate fruit into your summer dessert menu. 

They say summer is more than just a season, it is a state of mind.  Summer is the perfect time for many things…beach trips, family vacations, dinners al fresco, and especially weddings.  Enhance the feel of summer through all aspects of your wedding, but certainly through your food. Sure it is hot out, but the menu options are endless and…dare I say, a lot more fun than other seasons. Whether you decide to ditch the sit down meal, dish out the ice cream or dare your guests to get interactive…we can agree summer is a great time to try new delectable things! 

Food is a huge part of any wedding.Making food fun is a way for you to give your guests something to remember…and talk about.  If you are interested in other food and drink trends to incorporate into your wedding day, read our blog Foodie Fiances: Our Favorite Food and Beverage Trends.