Amid hiring a wedding venue, curating the perfect guest list, writing speeches, and testing cakes, you’ll be hit with the all-important question: what sort of menu should you have on your big day?
You might even start wondering what’s the best possible dish to serve at a wedding. While there is no direct answer to this (everyone is different, after all), there are some standouts.
What Matters Before Anything: The Right Caterer
No matter what intrinsic (or widely popular) dish you come up with to serve on your big day, it will likely not go down well if you don’t have professional wedding catering! You want to know that they can handle it all, from cooking up delicious meals and appetizers to serving the food in a friendly and timely manner. Plus, when searching for catering, you’ll open yourself up to different types of meals you may not have thought about. If you just have the simple idea of chicken, you can search for wedding caterers that offer that, and then see exactly how they might create a more exciting chicken-based dish (such as Cuban chicken empanadas). It’s one of the most important single decisions you can make.
The Most Popular Main Dish in the USA: Chicken
When you think about what dish to serve at your wedding, you will likely first think about the main protein. There’s a clear winner here, and that’s chicken. It is simple, versatile, and universally enjoyed.
Other popular proteins for wedding dishes include:
- Beef
- Salmon
- White fish
For vegetarians and vegans, include proteins like tofu, paneer, or pulses.
Well-Loved Appetizers
People love appetizers at weddings. They’re easy to eat, offer comfort, and keep people satisfied. Of course, there are tons of options here, but there are some standout favorites to consider:
- Charcuterie boards
- Mini crab cakes
- Tuna Tartare
- Fruit skewers
- Cheeseburger sliders
- Oyster bars
Less Common but Bolder Choices
Do you want to make a tasty impact? If so, you want to add some less common options to your wedding menu. Your goal here is to balance universal satisfaction with something a little different. Consider:
- A giant pan of paella to serve all
- Wood fire cooked pizza
- Interactive street food bars
Exciting Twists on Classic Favorites
If you want to keep your wedding menu a little more formal, but still want to enjoy something different, there are ways to add on exciting twists to classic favorites. For example, you could take traditional smoked salmon by folding it into roses or adding some luxury add-ons like caviar. If you want to serve caprese, why not smoke the burrata or use different colored tomatoes for a vibrant visual effect.
The Consensus
There is clearly no single wedding dish that stands out from the crowd. While chicken is the most popular protein, everyone has their own tastes and preferences. So, take inspiration from the different catering companies you come across, and don’t be afraid of taking classics and making them a little extra. It’s your big day, after all.
