Tips for Planning a Summer Wedding Menu
Planning a summer wedding is the top choice for many couples, and we understand why: Summertime brings longer, brighter days, stunning color palettes, and an abundance of floral choices. This warm and sunny time of year also means access to plenty of delicious seasonal produce.
If you’re planning a summer wedding, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind while curating the food selections for your menu. To help create the most memorable summer wedding menu, we asked wedding experts for their favorite ideas for this bountiful season. Below, find key tips to keep in mind, ideal seasonal ingredients to incorporate, and ideas for everything from hors d’oeuvres to cocktails and desserts.
Creating a Summer Wedding Menu
Summer brings access to all kinds of fresh produce, and that’s definitely the star of the show for most summer wedding menus. “Summertime is made to highlight vegetables and fruits,” says Lynn Easton, founder of Easton Events. “Ask your catering chef what will be in the peak of the season during your wedding month and lean into those delicacies for a more ‘farm-to-table’ approach.”
In selecting the perfect menu, Alexandria Hammond, co-founder of GetPlated Catering, says to keep the menu light, refreshing, and fun. “Make sure that menu items are cohesive and include some pops of color,” she says. “Couples might also want to see if it’s possible to incorporate items that are related to their colors or themes into their food or beverages.”
Meet the Experts
- Lynn Easton is the founder of Easton Events, a full-service wedding and event design company in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Alexandria Hammond is the co-founder of GetPlated Catering, a husband and wife catering team based in Washington, DC
For a summer wedding, Easton says ingredients that are bright and acidic are sure to please. Hammond adds that including seasonal ingredients such as watermelon, mango, pineapple, berries, peaches, tomatoes, corn, and basil are all great highlights. After all, you want to offer something to your guests that will still be enjoyable while it’s hot outside.
