Planning a wedding in June, July or August? These trendy summer wedding food ideas from Tom Goodwin at Stones Events will have your guests wanting more, more, more!
Quirk canapés
Canapés are being presented in new and unusual ways to create the wow factor for couples on their big day. Traditional classics are being spiced up with a molecular twist, so think quirky elements like smoke and fire, giving your guests something to see and talk about afterwards.
Exotic creations to stimulate your guests’ taste sensations include luxury dishes such as tuna crudo with carrot, muli-slaw and XO sauce or pressed veal with buttermilk panna cotta, white tomato and chilli consommé and finished off with chocolate, olive oil mousse and spiced pecans.
Bowl food
Bowl food is becoming a popular quirky alternative to canapés and sit-down meals. Miniature portions of fine cuisine are circulated amongst guests and presented in small rice bowls, complete with individual eating utensils. This is a great way for guests to experience a variety of flavours and incorporate food dishes into an event without the requirements of formal seating.
An array of hot, cold and vegetarian food can be served this way and complemented by a selection of desserts to suit all tastes. Popular choices for this summer include home smoked salmon, crispy fried goat’s cheese, mini game suet pie and olive tortellini.
Midnight munchies
Midnight munchies are something we are often asked for at weddings, especially after guests have had a few cocktails! Serving late food is popular with couples keen to keep the party going late into the night.
Old favourites like bacon butties and pulled pork baps are always a hit with hungry wedding guests and we’ve even been known to serve food to partygoers while they’re still on the dancefloor – talk about personal service.
Ditch the formality
We’re seeing a trend for less formal options to the traditional sit-down meal, especially during the summer months. A sharing table is a great way to cater for a wide range of tastes and encourage guests to interact and chat over their food. At Stones, popular sharing options include things like Asian Street Food right through to an Italian Feast and the desserts are always a hit.
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Ice cream stations offering jugs of crème anglaise, hot chocolate sauce, dulce de leche and fruit coulis are always a hit, too, especially during the summer months. These can be served alongside miniature dessert selections including mini meringue with lemon curd, popping candy and raspberries or churros with popping candy sugar and strawberry jam. Perfect for both adults and the younger guests at your celebration.
Food stations
Food stations are a fab way of making sure all tastes are catered for. Try a classic fish and chip station or fish finger sandwiches with iceberg lettuce and tartar sauce. For something a little spicier go for a Mexican station including delicious BBQ pulled pork tacos with spicy sweet corn and quesadillas.
Or, go for the quintessentially British pie and mash station, offering guests the classic braised beef and ale pie with buttery mash, or a butternut, sweet potato and spinach option for vegetarians. To add a little theatre to the occasion, food could be served from authentic and classic vehicles like a 1950s-inspired caravan, old-fashioned American ice cream trucks and London buses with seating inside.
Drinks with a twist
This year it’s all about creating an overall vibe for your wedding that can be reflected in the food and drink you serve. For a summer wedding, you can use wild flowers and herbs, with dark yellows and deep-sea blues or various other summer colours. This can even follow on with the cocktail ingredients, which can include various fresh summer herbs. Thyme, lavender and basil are popular choices at the moment.
Want even more of a wow factor? Hire a mixologist to create a selection of drinks especially for your party, or get your guests to learn and mix their own! A popular drink choice at summer weddings is always Pimm’s but you can give it a twist by creating a Mexican Summer Pimm’s with Pimm’s, Tequila, agave nectar, strawberries, oranges, mint, lemons and ginger beer.
Looking for more alternatives to the traditional sit-down wedding breakfast? Here are 9 quirky wedding food ideas you haven’t even considered – yet!
